The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival says it must raise $150,000 by next month to continue operating.
Organizers say recent rollbacks in DEI initiatives have directly affected their ability to secure the funding they rely on.
"The attack on arts and DEI initiatives at large have, quite honestly, dissolved the budget lines that our funding comes from," Creative Director Joseph Carranza said.
Festival leaders say the loss of support threatens a platform that elevates Asian American filmmakers and other underrepresented voices. They argue those stories are too important to fade to black.
The organization is now turning to the community in hopes of closing the financial gap
Last year's festival showcased 86 films over 10 days, both in person and online. Attendance in 2024 increased by 200 percent, according to organizers.
Executive Director Nani Shin said the rollback of support comes at a time when the festival's mission feels especially urgent.
"Especially at a time like this, where we feel that a lot of these cultural stories and experiences are being silenced or erased, so this really does seem more dire, more than ever," she said.
The festival is directing supporters to its website for more information on how to contribute.