1,886
Paid hours logged by certified Production Assistants on professional sets since 2023.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Justice for My Sister’s Workforce Development programs bridge the gap between creative talent and sustainable employment in film and television. Our programs give emerging BIPOC professionals the technical skills, industry knowledge, and paid set experience that transform an interest in media into a viable career path.
Each program provides a unique pathway into the industry. The Production Assistant Certification Program delivers on-set training and connects graduates to paid placements. The BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab teams writers with working showrunners who mentor them from concept to polished pilot and a professional table read. Video Diaries guides first-time filmmakers as they craft short autobiographical documentaries that premiere at community festivals. Alumni ready to launch independent projects receive funding and crew resources through the Short Film Incubator and Alumni Network, ensuring continued growth beyond a single course.
By pairing instruction with real-world practice, these programs advance our mission to diversify the TV and film industry and bring more BIPOC stories to life. Participants graduate with real-life experience and a peer community that shares opportunities and support.
Explore our programs below to see which training fits your goals. When you are ready to apply or if you are a production looking to host sponsored PAs, visit the applications page for current openings, requirements, and submission links.
46
Production Assistants placed on 18 BIPOC-led productions during the 2023–2024 program year.
29
BIPOC-led productions supported since 2020.
66
Screenwriters supported through the BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab since its inception.
66
Original productions by our program participants
Production Assistant (PA) Certification Program
The PA Certification Program is a 100-hour job-training certification that prepares aspiring filmmakers for real-life work experience on film and television sets. Participants learn set etiquette, safety protocols, radio communication, and the paperwork that keeps productions running smoothly. Instruction mixes classroom lessons with mock-set drills so students can step onto professional shoots with confidence.
After completing the assessment, graduates move straight into paid placements arranged by Justice for My Sister. These placements are possible through our PA Sponsorship Award, an initiative that offsets entry-level wages for productions that commit to hiring diverse crews. BIPOC-led projects in the Los Angeles area can apply at any time to host certified alumni and receive wage support. Apply for Sponsorship Here.
Since the program launched, alumni have logged more than 1,800 paid hours on productions ranging from independent music videos to major-studio series. Many return as department assistants or move into specialty tracks such as camera, art, or sound.
Visit the applications page for upcoming program dates, sponsorship details, and eligibility guidelines. For additional questions, email info@justiceformysister.org.
Meet Our Past Cohorts →
learn more about the projects our PA Assistants have worked on →
Learn more and get involved in the Justice for My People Film Festival →
Black, Indigenous, People of Color Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab
The BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab is a ten-week fellowship that supports writers of color as they develop original television pilots grounded in speculative storytelling. Each cohort works through a structured sequence of craft lectures, writers’-room simulations, and one-on-one sessions with showrunners and narrative consultants. Writers refine concept documents, scene outlines, and full drafts, then workshop their scripts in peer table reads before a final, professionally cast reading for agents, managers, and producers.
Since launching the Lab, Justice for My Sister has guided 66 screenwriters through pilot completion and industry exposure. Alumni credits now include staff-writer placements, fellowship wins, and option agreements that began with pages drafted in the Lab.
Writers who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color and have a pilot draft or detailed outline are encouraged to apply. The fellowship is tuition-free and includes a small stipend to offset writing time.
Ready to expand your universe? Visit the applications page for submission guidelines, key dates, and info-session links, or email info@justiceformysister.org with questions.
Meet Our Past Cohorts →
Recap of the first iteration of the BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab.
VIDEO DIARIES
Video Diaries is an entry-level documentary workshop that guides first-time filmmakers through the process of turning personal stories into short, autobiographical films. Over eight weeks participants learn camera basics, lighting, sound, interviewing techniques, and editing fundamentals, while weekly feedback sessions help shape each narrative into a concise three-to-five-minute piece.
The workshop ends with a community screening and Q&A, giving new directors a public platform and a finished film for festival submissions or portfolio use. Many alumni move on to longer projects, pitch reels, or paid production roles within Justice for My Sister’s broader network.
Video Diaries is free, and equipment is provided. Applicants must be at least 18 and able to attend weekly evening sessions in Los Angeles. Upcoming dates, application requirements, and info-session links are posted on the applications page.
Have questions before you apply? Email info@justiceformysister.org.
Meet Our Past Cohorts →
Curious about the evolution of Video Diaries and past participant films? Explore our history—including highlight reels and cohort spotlights—on the Video Diaries archive page.
Watch one of our student’s films: Reeves’s Video Diary!
Alumni Network & Ongoing Support
Graduation from a Justice for My Sister program is only the beginning. All alumni gain long-term access to career resources that include advanced workshops, one-on-one mentorship hours, and a members-only job board that lists crew calls, writers-room openings, and grant opportunities. Our searchable talent database connects graduates directly with studios, independent producers, and community partners looking for skilled BIPOC professionals. Regular mixers, portfolio showcases, and peer feedback salons keep the network active, collaborative, and ready for the next project.
Ready to stay connected?
