Community Media Access Collaborative has opened applications for the second edition of EmpowHERd Voices, a free 10-week documentary filmmaking program for women in the Central Valley.

Applications will be accepted from now through Jan. 31. The program is open to women 18 and older who live in the Central Valley. No prior filmmaking experience or personal media equipment is required.

The program will run from Feb. 21 through April 25, with participants meeting weekly at CMAC for hands-on training in pre-production, production and post-production. Ten selected participants will each produce a short documentary highlighting an inspirational woman in their community. Participants will receive a $500 stipend upon completing the program.

“Women are not always seen in media, especially in key, decision-making production roles, and we wanted to help change that,” said Angelica Hernandez, CMAC education specialist and program mentor, in a news release. “This is a program built by women for women, rooted in mentorship and hands-on learning.”

Alexandra Carrillo, CMAC teaching artist and co-program mentor, said the program emphasizes storytelling as a tool for social impact.

“Documentary filmmaking has the power to shift how people see the world,” Carrillo said. “In EmpowHERd Voices, women step behind the camera to tell the stories of inspiring women in their own communities.”

Technical Training and Creative Confidence

Past participant Sonia Mehrmand, a Visalia-based nonprofit consultant who took part in the 2024 cohort, said the program provided technical training and creative confidence.

“It was a really supportive environment,” Mehrmand said. “I had worked in production before, but I had never made my own film from start to finish.” 

 “I have started my work as a consultant to offer some filmmaking services, I feel a bit more empowered to do that now.” 

Mehrmand said the experience helped her rethink what kinds of stories are worth telling. 

“You know, I think sometimes we think that these stories have to be like these big flashy things and you know, we don’t consider certain stories worth telling,” she said.

Q&A Scheduled for Saturday

EmpowHERd Voices will host a virtual Q&A session at 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17. Registration is available through Eventbrite.

The 2026 EmpowHERd Voices cohort is funded by The Campbell Foundation and the Central California Women’s Conference. The program will culminate in a public screening of the completed films.

More information and applications are available at www.cmac.tv/empowherd.