Our Mission
East Side Stories is dedicated to sharing authentic expressions of the Asian American & Pacific Islander experience through film, media, and education. We nurture and develop the skills of AAPI creatives, collaborate and support their projects. By connecting the storytellers to the stories and sharing the stories with the audience, ESS ensures a legacy of AAPI stories for the next generation and beyond.
Who We Are
Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we create award-winning documentary films and video content that celebrate the diversity, resilience, and richness of Asian American experiences. Through authentic storytelling, we challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and build bridges between communities.
Our work spans from feature-length documentaries to short-form video series, each crafted with care, respect, and artistic excellence. We believe that everyone has a story worth telling, and that these stories have the power to educate, inspire, and create lasting change.
OUR VALUES
WE CREATE MEDIA WITH CULTURAL INTENTIONALITY
We celebrate unique AAPI stories and narratives that are often marginalized and misrepresented.
The intersectionality of our ethnic, cultural, and generational experiences are diverse, multidimensional, and unique. In securing agency for AAPI creatives and storytellers to craft art and media, they can take ownership of their narratives, composing the most authentic and resonant content.
WE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE CREATIVES TO DEVELOP THEIR CRAFT
We provide developmental opportunities to nurture professional growth in emerging creatives.
We support and embolden the next generation of creatives who seek to overcome the disparities of AAPI representation in multimedia by equipping them with transferable and sustainable skills.
WE FOSTER A COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES AND PATRONS OF THE ARTS
We know that a community where camaraderie and partnerships are forged is a community that thrives.
It is integral that we weave in our local talent, AAPI owned businesses and other community organizations in broader conversations to foster solidarity. Together, we will enact meaningful and long-lasting change across generational, cultural, and AAPI diaspora.
Support Our Mission
Your donation helps us create powerful stories, support emerging AAPI filmmakers, and build a stronger community through authentic storytelling.
East Side Stories is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Your donation is tax-deductible.
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