Peruvian American filmmaker Erika Gregorio and other artists in residence at the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, known as the “EIIC Creatives,” are proud to announce “Migrant Nation Reel Stories,” an open call for short documentaries which focus on and celebrate the resilience of immigrant families and communities in New York City! Together with the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in Queens, who have graciously partnered with us to co-curate, we welcome submissions by NYC filmmakers who are documenting immigrant life.
The screening of films selected from those submitted for this open call will take place on August 25th at Museum of the Moving Image, in Astoria, Queens, New York. The deadline to submit applications is midnight on June 25th, 2023. Applicants’ films should be no longer than 10 minutes and fully subtitled, if they are in languages other than English. Applicants should be currently residing within New York City’s five boroughs. Within the application form, applicants can include compressed versions of their short through Google or website links. Applicants should also be a primary producer of the film they submit for consideration. Click the button below to get the submission process started and to learn more about eligibility. Applicants may also write to MNRStories@gmail.com with any questions. Please help us spread the word!
Project innovator Erika Gregorio explains her thinking in proposing and developing “Migrant Nation Reel Stories” as part of her work as an artist in residence with EIIC. “As an immigrant, I have come across other migrant stories–stories worthy of being heard and given space to be shared, regardless of people’s gender, race, affiliations, or legal status in the country. These stories, filled with resilience, empowerment, dreams, hard work, and sacrifices, are silenced because of fear and stigma.”
“Over the years,” Erika continues, “we keep witnessing how members of our most vulnerable communities get treated, which creates reluctance towards sharing stories; therefore, they can feel their story is not worth telling. We can help change the narrative.”
The cost of the open call and the screening are covered by support from Creatives Rebuild New York. Our hope is that this will become an annual event in New York City, in which case, eventually, there may be a paid application process, to help cover costs involved. However, this year, every aspect is free. Filmmakers who have submitted their entries by June 25th, will be notified of their short’s status in the selection process in mid-July. All applicants and the general public are encouraged to join us at the August 25th screening, which will be followed by a Q&A. The screening will be open to the general public and free of charge.
