Summary
We all know what it's like to feel like we don't belong. In Spring 2021, our team launched LUNAR: The Jewish-Asian Film Project with the belief that if Asian American Jews see ourselves on camera, we can start to feel understood and find community. We gathered 23 Asian American Jews to discuss their experiences, and put the results into a video series on social media. We got real about fusion food, cultural trauma, discovering our identities, and the impacts of racism and antisemitism on our lives. These authentic and compelling videos made big waves in our communities - people watched our videos over 35,000 times; we were selected for 2 major film festivals and featured in dozens of press outlets, including MTV News. You can view our first season in the video highlight reel above.
Now we're back with a second season, because we still have so much to tell the world about who we are. In the second season, watch Asian American Jews dive deep into our experiences with media representation, religion, language, and so much more!
What We Need & What You Get
Due to generous support from foundations, season 2 is partly funded. We just need a little more help to make the videos the best they can be! Your contribution will support:
- Our ability to compensate our stellar team of Asian American Jewish creatives at equitable rates
- Necessary tech equipment and software to improve the quality of our content
For your contribution, you'll receive some exciting perks, including:
- Shout-outs on our credits and social media
- Personalized thank-you cards from our team
- LUNAR branded stickers
- LUNAR branded T-Shirts
- Meet n Greet with our all-star team
- Private Season 2 Preview Party with our team and select cast members
- A chance to win an original Chinese & Jewish cultural fusion art piece from our amazing Art Director, Davi Cheng
The Impact
LUNAR has resonated with people across the world. For the first time, Asian American Jews felt like we belonged. Through these videos, we felt seen as our full selves. We told our stories on our own terms. We found our way home to each other.
Belonging in such an isolated world is so important. Especially with the rise in anti-Asian hate and antisemitism this year, LUNAR videos have been a source of affirmation and empowerment for us. As folks with marginalized identities, having a place to go where our full selves are shown with pride and joy is crucial.
We need your help to keep our videos going, so that more and more people can find themselves in our stories. More and more folks can know that they matter, they belong, and they are enough.
We want to make sure season 2 is the best it can be. Our stories are amazing and our storytellers deserve the highest quality videos to tell them. Your contribution is one step towards visibility and representation of Asian American Jews.
Other Ways You Can Help
Can't donate right now? No problem! Show your support by sharing this campaign on social media with the Indiegogo share tools.
