People InvolveD

2K+

Projects

16

PARTNERS

10+

About AXS Film Fund

AXS Film Fund was founded to support documentary filmmakers and non-fiction new media creators of color with disabilities. 2020 very clearly brought about the need for compassion and serious change. Between violence targeted at people of color, a fearful divided nation, and the global pandemic, it is more important now than ever to raise and support a body of more culturally diverse voices.

Our Mission

AXS Film fund strives to support independent documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new media creators of color living with disabilities in their endeavors to tell stories, make films, and create content.

Our VALUES

We highly value accessibility and inclusivity for all. Filmmakers of color have fought hard to win equality and move beyond the racial barriers of a historically white industry. Meanwhile, people of color living with disabilities are rarely seen in media and film.

OUR TEAM

Jason DaSilva Headshot

Jason DaSilva

President and Program Founder

Jason DaSilva

President and Program Founder

Jason is a director, producer, writer, and disability rights activist best known for the Emmy Award winning documentary, When I Walk, the first film in a documentary trilogy.

As President of AXS Lab, Jason is the key creative and strategic voice of the organization, providing insight to necessities in disability activism and facilitating AXS Lab's work with the UN and partner organizations around the world.

Naomi Middleton Headshot

Naomi Middleton

Program Director

Naomi Middleton

Program Director

Naomi Middleton is an independent filmmaker and producer who is interested in stories that paint portraits of humanity in conversation with larger issues of human rights and social justice.

In 2021 she produced the short, Predicting My MS, (2022) for NOVA, which broadcasted on PBS/NOVA. Her short doc, HELO (Home, Education, Love, Opportunity) (2019), was an official judge's selection and opened the Bennington Alumni Film & Creativity Festival in 2019. Naomi firmly believes in the powerful intersection of filmmaking and social justice. She is thrilled with the conversations the fund is creating and is excited about the continued growth of AXS Film Fund and its mission to support and raise an oftentimes invisible group of filmmakers.

Mimoza Thana Headshot

Mimoza Thana

Controller

Mimoza Thana

Controller

Mimoza is an analytical and detail oriented banking professional with 10 years of experience. Exceptionally organized and focused demonstrating an outstanding aptitude to manage and balance a variety of day to day transition, providing overachieving assistance services team management products cross sales.

WHAT WE FUND

This program is for creators of color in documentary filmmaking or nonfiction new media who identify as living with a disability. We seek to bring visibility to creators who are oftentimes overlooked. While we prefer that a person of color living with a disability is a key contributor to the project, we welcome diverse teams to apply.

Each year we award up to five creators with grants of up to $10,000 each to assist them in finishing their projects in any stage of production.

How to Apply

Letters of Inquiry are not required. Applicants should submit an application to our portal.

Starting June 1st, 2024, our online portal for submission opens.

Applications should be submitted through this portal.

After July 31st, 2024, application submissions will close. Applications will first be reviewed by our internal staff to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements. Successful applications will move to the next round, a review by an external committee of expert panelists.

Contact

Email us with any inquiries

Our Location

United states

1-55 Borden Avenue, Suite 10E
Long Island City, NY 11101