Our mission and values

Our Mission

AXS Film Fund strives to support independent documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new media creators from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds living with disabilities in their endeavors to tell stories, make films, and create content.

Our Values

We firmly believe in the value of accessibility and representation for all individuals. Filmmakers from underrepresented communities have worked tirelessly to break through barriers and bring new perspectives to the industry. However, individuals living with disabilities often remain invisible in media and film, especially those from communities with less representation. Too often, they have limited control over the creation of projects or the development of tools, which silences an important perspective.

Society is shaped by a variety of multi-layered experiences, including the diverse viewpoints of those around us. Unfortunately, the voices of individuals living with disabilities, particularly from marginalized communities, have not been given the room they deserve. It’s time to move beyond outdated portrayals of disability and make space for all creators to share their stories. We are committed to supporting individuals living with disabilities, particularly those from underserved communities, in their journey to becoming filmmakers and storytellers.

Equity is another core value we uphold. We believe that equal does not always mean equitable. Our goal is to ensure that our programming and processes are accessible to everyone who wishes to apply.

Our Goals

The AXS Film Fund Seeks to:

Provide grants to creators living with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, in documentary filmmaking and nonfiction new media to support the completion of their projects.
Elevate visibility of creators living with disabilities from diverse backgrounds and empower them to get recognition and job opportunities in the media industry.
Support a variety of creators and a broad range of stories

history and inspiration

AXS Film Fund was founded to support documentary filmmakers and non-fiction new media creators living with disabilities from a range of backgrounds, particularly those from historically underserved communities. The events of 2020 highlighted the need for change as society faced an increase in violence, particularly against communities of color, a divided nation, and a global pandemic. It became clear that elevating diverse voices in media was more important than ever.

Working alongside supporters throughout the industry, the fund was established to provide resources and funding to amplify the voices of filmmakers who often face barriers in the industry. We continue to build a network of supporters who understand the importance of supporting and empowering a wide range of storytellers.