EmpowHERd Voices opens applications for Central Valley women filmmakers

Community Media Access Collaborative has opened applications for the second EmpowHERd Voices cohort, a free 10-week documentary training program aimed at women 18 and older who live in the Central Valley. The application window opened Jan. 16 and runs through Jan. 31, giving local residents a limited opportunity to apply for hands-on filmmaking experience without prior experience or equipment.

The program will run from Feb. 21 to April 25 and will enroll ten participants. Each participant will produce a short documentary profiling an inspirational local woman and will receive a $500 stipend upon completing the course. The curriculum covers pre-production, production and post-production, providing practical skills that can translate to community media work, nonprofit storytelling and freelance video opportunities.

A virtual question-and-answer session is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, offering prospective applicants a chance to learn more about eligibility, expectations and the application process. The cohort is funded by The Campbell Foundation and the Central California Women’s Conference, reflecting targeted philanthropic support for local media training and women's leadership in the region.

For Fresno County residents, EmpowHERd Voices offers low-barrier access to creative and technical training. The program’s explicit removal of equipment and prior experience requirements reduces common entry hurdles for residents in smaller towns and unincorporated areas where access to cameras and editing tools may be limited. The $500 stipend provides modest direct compensation, helping participants cover expenses tied to time spent creating their films.

Beyond individual benefits, the initiative strengthens local storytelling capacity. Ten short documentaries focused on inspirational local women will add to the Valley’s media ecosystem, amplifying community voices that are often underrepresented in larger outlets. Skills gained in camera work, interviewing, editing and project planning can also support local organizations that need low-cost media production and help trainees build portfolios for future freelance or employment opportunities in communications and arts sectors.

The program’s short timeline and cohort model mean applicants should decide quickly; the Jan. 31 deadline is firm. For Fresno County readers, this is a chance to both learn a marketable craft and increase visibility for women making an impact across the Valley. If accepted, participants will complete an intensive, practical course that culminates in a finished short film and a stipend, with the potential to expand local media capacity and civic engagement in the months ahead.