Previous: Patlatonalli | Next: Rainbow Project

Meet a Grantee

Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project

Previous: Patlatonalli | Next: Rainbow Project

The San Francisco–based Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP) llustrates how the power of art is transforming lives. As the one of the only organizations in the U.S. dedicated to giving voice and agency to queer women and trans people of color through film and video, this longtime Astraea grantee offers free 16-week digital video workshops, producing 30 new films each year. The group’s annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival harnesses the unique power of film by linking personal stories to social justice issues, sparking connections between people of all races, ethnicities, genders, generations and sexual orientations.

"There's got to be more of us. Who will tell our stories, if we don't?" Madeleine Lim, founder and Executive Director of Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, is a talented filmmaker and an activist who is deeply passionate about her work.

Born and raised in Singapore, Madeleine endured an arduous coming out process. In her teens she was routinely pulled out of class and interrogated about her sexuality by teachers. At 21, she began distributing an underground lesbian feminist newsletter. Once the government began imprisoning dissenting citizens, Madeleine moved to the United States and attended San Francisco State University's filmmaking program.

The genesis for QWOCMAP began when Madeleine realized that she was the only queer woman of color student in her class. In 2000, the woman who as a teenager almost got expelled from school for being a lesbian, formed the only organization in the United States dedicated to giving voice and agency to queer women of color through film and video.

Initially offering free workshops for queer women of color, QWOCMAP has expanded to become a substantial and respected entity in the progressive film community—in the Bay Area and beyond. QWOCMAP's training program was awarded the Best Video Program by the San Francisco Community Media Festival. Each year, they offer four 16-week digital video training workshops and between 2003 and 2005, their workshops have produced 60 new films by queer women of color. What began as a single evening of films has evolved into a landmark three-day Queer Women of Color Film Festival.

With one full time and three part time staff, QWOCMAP sustains its exceptional work with foundation grants, individual donations and resourceful partnerships. "Building community is key to us—and it pays off," says Madeleine. For the past fi ve years, the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center has donated their space, where the organization holds all of their workshops. The workshops are always free, always limited to ten participants and always enable queer women of color to hone their skills in a safe and affirming environment.

Each day, QWOCMAP experiences how the power of art can literally transform the lives of women from around the world. While seeking asylum, Monica Enriquez, a 23-year old student from Colombia, enrolled in QWOCMAP's introductory film workshop. During the course, she completed "A Journey Home," an award-winning fi lm depicting issues of home, community and immigration for three queer Latinas in San Francisco. While enrolled in QWOCMAP's intermediate workshop, Monica completed another film, "A Place to Begin." Mentored by Lim, she co-curated a program for the 2006 Annual QWOCMAP film festival.

Recently, Monica won asylum.

www.qwocmap.org

Previous: Patlatonalli | Next: Rainbow Project