An exclusive Q+A with artist+activist Helen Zia

How we’re celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, an exciting new film announcement, activists that are getting things done, and more [View Online]( Hi there, May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with our friend, artist+activist Helen Zia. Helen is a renowned organizer fighting for social and racial justice and also an Executive Producer on our upcoming series centering on the historic story of Vincent Chin. And as part of our focus this month, over on Instagram we’re also celebrating AAPI Heritage by highlighting six amazing [AAPI artists+activists]( who are making a difference in their communities. Check out some of the other work below going on at Participant this month: - Exciting news about our recently announced new project, PRIMA FACIE - Some of our favorite talks from last month's 20th annual Skoll World Forum: a gathering of some of the most inspirational leaders driving social change - And as always, we're spotlighting the art+activism inspiring us this month and providing new ways for Participants to be involved in the world! - Your fellow Participants [Helen Zia - IMAGE]( Q+A With Helen Zia Helen opens up about her path to activism The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Helen is a prominent organizer for human rights and peace, and an outspoken advocate fighting hate, violence and homophobia. Her numerous publications, books, articles, essays and anthologies have received awards and national recognition. Helen is also an Executive Producer on [our upcoming series]( based on the landmark Vincent Chin story (also executive produced by multiple Oscar® winner Chloé Zhao). We recently had the opportunity to learn more about her experience growing up, how she came to her activism, and the types of stories we need to hear today. “I grew up as an Asian American girl feeling completely invisible. The saving grace was that I also grew up at a time of incredible social movements. As a little girl all these things spoke to me. Somewhere inside, I knew I wanted to be part of making a difference. Making change.” [CHECK IT OUT]( [Big News] [Prima Facie - IMAGE]( PRIMA FACIE is Coming to the Silver Screen Cynthia Erivo to star in film adaptation of PRIMA FACIE We’re proud to announce that the theater sensation, “PRIMA FACIE”, will be adapted to film! You might’ve heard about Suzy Miller’s critically-acclaimed one-woman play ([now on Broadway]( about an ambitious and confident attorney who skillfully defends her clients, including men accused of sexual assault, when she suddenly becomes a victim seeking justice against her abuser. Oscar® nominee Cynthia Erivo will star in the film, bringing her voice to this important and timely story about the complexities surrounding sexual abuse cases, and the problematic way in which the law often fails to deliver justice. [READ MORE]( [SWF IMAGE]( Brilliant Minds at the Skoll World Forum Celebrating 20 years of the innovators driving social progress Last month, several members of our team were able to attend the 20th annual [Skoll World Forum]( to learn from, network, and exchange ideas with some of the world’s most inspirational leaders driving social and environmental change. Participant is part of the Jeff Skoll Group of commercial and philanthropic enterprises, which includes the event's organizer the [Skoll Foundation](. Some of our favorite plenaries included [Ava DuVernay’s talk]( about the way films and TV shift culture; [Al Gore’s talk]( with Nobel Laureate and Skoll Foundation CEO Don Grips; Nobel Peace Prize winner [Maria Ressa’s talk]( about her incredible life, and [Anasa Troutman’s talk]( with other speakers about storytelling as a powerful tool for change. Check out the rest of the highlights, sessions, and awards for a good dose of inspiration: [SWF 2023]( [Headlines + Highlights] [Nicholas Galanin – Image]( We ♥️ To See It: May Highlights - For years, residents of Lowndes County, Alabama, have demanded help with their failing sewage systems. Earlier this month, the Biden administration finally agreed to take tangible actions towards [environmental justice in Lowndes]( A huge win for the community, and special shoutout to Catherine Coleman Flowers, who appears in our documentary [LOWNDES COUNTY AND THE ROAD TO BLACK POWER]( , and was one of the activists leading the charge on this effort. - Artist [Nicholas Galanin]( debuted his monumental corten steel sculpture, "In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra," on Brooklyn Bridge Park, Land of the Lenape. This work of public art invites people to consider the legacy of colonization and our relationship with Land across generations. - [Jezz Chung]( (they/them) is an artist, writer, speaker and performer of Korean descent whose work focuses on the intersections of cultural change, creative storytelling and mental health. Check out their work along with other incredible [AAPI Artists+Activists we love](. - Director Richard Curtis created a new video, “[Hidden Relationship]( to bring attention to the toxic relationship between banks and the fossil fuel industry. The twist: leveraging the [real-life romance]( between two “Game of Thrones” stars. - Director Adam McKay [launched a new nonprofit content studio]( Yellow Dot, to raise public understanding about the climate emergency. The first video, “[Commercial For Big Money]( follows the success of his viral [spoof Chevron ad]( last September. - Over 300 students from 35 states participated in the second annual [Bring The Noise AAPI scholarship contest and exhibition]( in which teens submitted essays, poems and other artworks that tell stories about this year’s theme: Asian American mental health. The contest is put on by [Make Noise Today]( a nonprofit empowering youth to champion racial equality by amplifying Asian American Stories. [SUPPORT MAKE NOISE TODAY]( [Headlines + Highlights] Grants, Fellowships and Jobs Grants and Fellowships coming up: - [The Disruptors Fellowship]( (applications open till June 10) is an annual fellowship for television writers of color who identify as undocumented/formerly undocumented immigrants, trans, non-binary or disabled. - [Imagine 2200: Write the Future]( (submissions open till June 13) is a climate fiction short story contest, envisioning the next 180 years of climate progress with the intersectional worlds of abundance, adaptation, reform, and hope. Check out the job openings in our LA office: - Vice President, Documentary Films - Assistant to CEO and SVP, Content Representation & Impact - Assistant to EVP, Narrative Film - Coordinator, Strategy & Business Development [APPLY]( Like this email? Share on [Facebook]( or [Twitter](. Did you get this email from a friend? [Subscribe](. Feedback? Reply and let us know what you think. Participants wanted. You are not a viewer. 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