Mezcla Media Collective is a Chicago-based film organization dedicated to supporting over 750 BIPOC women and non-binary film workers filmmakers. We are a hub for emerging and established filmmakers in Chicago who seek employment opportunities, project support, community building, and production education. Our free and low cost year-round programming and events equip members with the skills, networks, and tools to overcome the compounded barriers. The collective seeks to disrupt exclusionary practices by centering the experiences of BIPOC filmmakers, creating opportunities for underrepresented voices, and contributing to the recovery and growth of Chicago’s independent film community.

Our artist members are the heartbeat of the organization. These are the people that are most directly involved with the design of our programs and initiatives. They participate and teach, represent Mezcla at events, and have decision-making input.

Our Spring 2026 campaign is all about Community Care. We have our ear to the ground on how to care for independent filmmakers and film workers, and we have spent the last year expanding our programming and direct support for filmmakers. With shrinking access to funding due to amplified conflicts within our political and cultural landscape, and the de-prioritization of the art of authentic storytelling, we are concerned with our community’s survival in the storytelling realm.

Supporting our Spring Campaign will help ensure specifically:

Continuation of Our Shades of Chicago Program, a curated short film program that amplifies the work of short filmmakers from across the Chicagoland area through free public exhibitions at multiple venues in the region. This program is open to all Chicagoland filmmakers and offers a cohort-based learning experience focused on distributing and exhibiting independent work. Our current cohort includes 9 filmmakers working in both narrative and documentary forms, all of whom receive honorariums for their participation.

Professional Development Fund - Emerging, mid-career and established artists need continued support to stay in their practice. By request, we provide honorariums for professional development ranging from travel to film festivals/conferences, external workshops and classes, and materials to develop new work.

Mezcla Workshops - Our cornerstone virtual and in-person workshops taught by experts on topics ranging from cinematography and post-production to film fundraising and budgeting.

New Developments: The Mezcla Equipment Library

Thanks to a recent large donation of gently-used equipment, we are currently developing a plan to expand our equipment library, where Chicagoland filmmakers can borrow equipment accessories.

The art of storytelling and artistic expression is crucial for our community and we do A LOT with a LITTLE. Our leadership are not employees of the organization - we are all working independent filmmakers who believe in supporting one another, not hoarding opportunities, and sustaining a community that we know sustains us.

How You Can Support the care plan:

A Donation of $50 supports paying for refreshments at all of our events and workshops - that filmmakers being nourished at our events
A Donation of $150 supports (2) honorariums for filmmakers to represent Mezcla at panels and other special events, further adding visibility
A Donation of $250 supports community care resources for filmmakers to attend programming without barriers - from transportation stipends, childcare reimbursement, food safety and other requests that accommodate filmmakers needs to full be present in their learning and community
A Donation of $350 - supports the overall infrastructure of the organization

Thank you to our Silent Auction Sponsors:

Interested in sustained support and sponsorship of Mezcla? Explore our sponsorship breakdown or review our Sponsorship Deck or email us: ed@mezclamediacollective.org

We hope to see you at our Annual Showcase in Chicago!

Spring Fundraising Campaign

By Mezcla Media Collective

Spring Fundraising Campaign