“All of Us Belong Right Here”: Asian American Stories Video Competition
by Elpidio R. Estioko
Videos tell stories!
This is the theme of this year’s Asian American Stories Video Competition; the first major project launched this week by the recently organized Silicon Valley Community Media (SVMC) founded by Diana Ding, founder and CEO of Ding Ding TV based in Santa Clara.
This is a chance for Asian Americans to tell their stories about their contributions to bringing communities together, promoting diversity, racial justice, equity, and stopping the hate.
With their stories, we can learn from them, emulate what they went through, review their contributions to society, and serve as our model in our assimilation into the American lifestyle and culture.
Most immigrants struggle in life because they don’t have models or mentors to follow as they immerse themselves in American society.
The video essay contest is open to all independent journalists, social media influencers, ethnic media, event organizers, and civic organization contestants.
There are two categories of contestants – youth contestant for ages 12 to 18 years of age and adult contestants for 18 years old and above.
Contestants are required to submit in English a video of less than one-minute length to be accompanied by a written essay of less than 150 words. Submission of entries is accepted from June 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024. The theme should focus on “All of Us Belong Right Here.”
The diverse panel of judges will select a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. There will also be a Viewer’s Choice Winner.
Prizes will be awarded to the most popular entrance as selected by Viewer’s Choice and the first 30 entries will potentially receive funding for their project. This funding will be provided by Silicon Valley Community Media.
The chosen winners will choose between the following options: it’s either funding to produce media content regarding Asian American videos, articles, podcasts, and TV Shows or receiving a check.
Here are the prizes for the winners. First Place: $10,000 Funding, or a $1,000 check. Second Place: $5,000 Funding or a $500 check. Third Place: $2,000 Funding or a $200 check. Viewer’s Choice Winner: $2,000 Funding or a $200 check.
The committee is co-chaired by Diana Ding and Francis Espiritu, President and publisher of Philippine News Today (PNT), an English weekly newspaper.
Joel Wong, chairman of the board of judges, convened this week via Zoom distinguished members of the board of judges of the Telling American Story Video Competition to kick off the very important project of the Silicon Valley Community Media (SVMC).
The judges met via a Zoom meeting recently for the project’s overview, a review of the new website; judging criteria; and a video trailer of the project.
The judges are: Joel Wong, Treasurer & Secretary of Silicon Valley Community Media, President of National Asian American United (NAA United), President of National Asian American PAC – chairman; Chris Norwood, President, Board of Milpitas Unified School District; Sandy Close, Media Editor; Beverly Molina, Santa Clara Firefighter and Author; Tony Shyu, a TV and film director, producer, editor and writer; Other judges include Chris Norwood – President, Board of Milpitas Unified School District; Sandy Close – Media Editor; Beverly Molina – Santa Clara Firefighter and Author; Tony Shyu – a TV and film director, producer, editor and writer; Mayor Carmen Montano of the city of Milpitas; Kansen Chu – former Assembly Member of District 25 State of California; Filipino American Media Leader Don Orozco; Piyush Malik – startup executive, entrepreneur, and board advisor; Mattie Scariot – Director of the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival; David Mosby – CEO of e2i Academy, Speaker and Author; Mayor Lisa Gilmor – Mayor of the city of Santa Clara; and Elpidio R. Estioko – Educator, public relations (PR) professional, author, and award-winning journalist.
At Silicon Valley Community Media, the group is dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness & diversity of Asian American experiences to Silicon Valley and beyond.
For over a decade, they have produced, funded, and distributed thousands of creative projects through film & digital media. They have also proudly celebrated diverse cultures through hundreds of events.
Their mission also includes empowering and unifying Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and ethnic leaders by using media and communication to bridge the gap between Asian Americans and other communities across the United States.
Silicon Valley Community Media is the non-profit extension of Ding Ding TV – The Voice of Silicon Valley Asian Americans. It funds, produces, distributes, and exhibits creative content pieces that convey the richness and beauty of diversity.
ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the Chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris Publishing. For feedbacks, comments… please email author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com).
