QTWork
A pathway for LBTQIA+ BIPOC to access filmmaking as an artistic practice, tool for liberation, and career.
What QTWork is
QTWork develops the creative workforce and creative economy by changing who is behind the lens and therefore what we see onscreen.
From QWOCMAP’s award-winning pre-apprenticeship filmmaker training to internships and production gigs, to registered, paid apprenticeships in Digital Editing, Multimedia Production, and Digital Archiving, QTWork builds a career pipeline for our communities.
The QTWork Pathway
Three steps connected by mentorship and vision.
Film & Freedom Academy
This is where it starts. Our free, intensive filmmaking workshops give you the training, equipment, mentorship, and resources to create your own short film. The Film & Freedom Academy is QWOCMAP's pre-apprenticeship program.
Film Mentors support new FFA participants. They are chosen from those who have previously completed the Film & Freedom Academy or other Filmmaker Training Program initiatives, including Critical Juncture. Mentors demonstrate ongoing film learning and skills development in production and editing. Mentorship allows them to continue developing their own filmmaking practice while supporting the next cohort.
Production & Internships
After completing the Film & Freedom Academy, filmmakers can build skills through two routes:
QWOCMAP Productions offers advanced training and skill building including post-production, open captions, and audio description processes. Filmmakers are commissioned for short films, PSAs, and other projects. You learn to work with clients, meet deadlines, and complete deliverables. It builds your professional skills and portfolio.
QTWork Internship is for youth ages 18–24 who have completed the Film & Freedom Academy. Interns receive stipends and work directly with QWOCMAP to learn production, editing, and digital archiving.
QTWork Apprenticeship
The QTWork Apprenticeship is affiliated with the first, federally registered National Apprenticeship in Media Arts & Creative Technologies. It provides 2,000 hours (approximately 1+ year) of paid, full-time employment with full health, vision, dental, and other benefits.
Apprentices work as Digital Editors, Multimedia Producers, or Digital Archivists. The program provides competency-based, on-the-job training and 200 hours of additional instruction and learning based on QWOCMAP's Film AS Movement framework and our disability justice principles and accessibility practices.
Apprentices work on real productions and with real clients, from internal QWOCMAP projects to our Productions Studio, to Future Archives and Movement Match. Upon completion, apprentices are eligible to be placed with companies and organizations in QWOCMAP and Arts2Work networks.
What Makes This Different
First-of-its-kind workforce development for our communities.
First of Its Kind
QTWork is the first program of its kind to serve LBTQIA+ BIPOC filmmakers.
Living Wages
The QTWork Apprenticeship is the only apprenticeship program fully accessible to disabled people that is aligned with the National Apprenticeship in Media Arts & Creative Technologies.
Creating Momentum Together
Upon completion, apprentices provide free production services to social justice organizations, supporting movements to build narrative power across campaigns and issues.
Nationwide Certification
Apprentices earn professional and living wages ($30–45/hr) with completely employer-paid benefits including health, vision, and dental, along with accessibility supports and commuter benefits.
Accessibility is core, not an add-on.
QTWork is intentionally designed to be accessible to disabled people. This is a foundational commitment, not an accommodation.
Disability Justice Principles
Embedded in program design, training curriculum, and workplace practices.
Accessibility Supports
Provided as part of employment benefits for all apprentices.
Commuter Benefits
Included in the benefits package.
Film AS Movement Framework
200 hours of instruction grounded in QWOCMAP's disability justice principles and accessibility practices.
Sign up for Updates
Filmmaker
QWOCMAP gives communities of people that do not typically have a voice in mainstream media a chance to find their voice and be heard. QWOCMAP opens doors. And those of us that have somehow managed to be so lucky to make it in are opening up more doors.
Filmmaker
I recently became a recipient of a Princess Grace Award in Film and I think that has so much to do with how QWOCMAP is able to shape artists and lmmakers to tell their own truth and to believe in their work. Those are very powerful lessons to learn.
Filmmaker
Having had that community of queer women of color filmmakers has been the foundation of my resolve to face the sexist, racist, and homophobic perspectives of the larger filmmaking community. It is very easy to become lost within the confines of one’s present world, and I always think back to QWOCMAP to find my way back to me.
QWOCMAP gives communities of people that do not typically have a voice in mainstream media a chance to find their voice and be heard. QWOCMAP opens doors. And those of us that have somehow managed to be so lucky to make it in are opening up more doors.
I recently became a recipient of a Princess Grace Award in Film and I think that has so much to do with how QWOCMAP is able to shape artists and lmmakers to tell their own truth and to believe in their work. Those are very powerful lessons to learn.
Having had that community of queer women of color filmmakers has been the foundation of my resolve to face the sexist, racist, and homophobic perspectives of the larger filmmaking community. It is very easy to become lost within the confines of one’s present world, and I always think back to QWOCMAP to find my way back to me.
