What Film Lab does

Film Lab, Inc. (doing business as Asian American Film Lab / AAFL TV) is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote gender and ethnic diversity in entertainment through film, television, and digital media. Founded around 2010 (incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2016), the organization serves underrepresented filmmakers — particularly Asian Americans, women, LGBTQ+ creators, and other minorities — and is led by President Jennifer Betit Yen with a board of directors and a staff in the 11-50 range. The organization's mailing address is housed at AAARI-CUNY in midtown Manhattan.

Its core products are organized around three pillars: the annual 72 Hour Shootout, a global filmmaking competition that challenges teams to produce short films within 72 hours; Film Lab Presents, a long-running television series now in its 20th season that has accumulated over 1.1 million viewers and airs on CrossingsTV (carried on Comcast and Spectrum across major US markets); and supporting programs including Unfinished Works (screenplay development), the Actor Directory, Legal Eagle resources, and original productions such as Discrimi*NATION, The Opposite of a Fairy Tale, Monsters Among Us, and SOS. In 2025 the organization added the Elevating Women in Entertainment podcast and the film Hey Ladies! to its programming slate.

The business model is nonprofit-driven and grant-dependent. Revenue is generated through charitable donations, institutional grants (New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs), corporate sponsorships (including ABC, NBC, Sundance Institute, SAG-AFTRA, and Tito's Vodka), and modest competition registration fees ($25-$75 per participant). Distribution is multi-channel: broadcast via CrossingsTV, digital via the AAFL TV YouTube channel, select titles on Apple TV, and festival premieres through partnerships with organizations such as the Asian American International Film Festival.

Name

Film Lab

Legal name

Film Lab, Inc.

Website

https://asianamericanfilmlab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Film Lab, Inc. is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit running the annual 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition, the long-running Film Lab Presents television series (20+ seasons), and development programs serving underrepresented filmmakers including Asian Americans and women in entertainment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Film and Television Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services (MPADAKAL)

Keywords

• Filmmaking competition programs
• Diversity in entertainment
• Nonprofit film production
• Screenplay development workshops
• Community media programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Film Lab relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals and grants from arts councils including New York State Council on the Arts and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
2. Competition Registration Fees: The 72 Hour Shootout competition generates revenue through tiered registration fees: $25 (March early bird), $50 (April), and $75 (last-minute registration).
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships from corporations including ABC, NBC, Sundance Institute, Tito's Vodka, Face Off Unlimited, and many others listed as donors.
4. Workshop and Program Fees: Filmmaking workshops, Industry Spotlight events, and special programs may generate nominal fees. Survival Guide sales through The Book Patch.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces and distributes film, television, and digital media content while operating community programs for underrepresented filmmakers. Its flagship offering is the annual 72 Hour Shootout global filmmaking competition, supported by the long-running Film Lab Presents television series, original productions (Discrimi*NATION, The Opposite of a Fairy Tale, Monsters Among Us, SOS), and development programs including Unfinished Works screenplay workshops and the Actor Directory.

Product overview

Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting gender and ethnic diversity in the entertainment industry. The organization operates a platform of programs including the 72 Hour Shootout (annual global filmmaking competition), Film Lab Presents (long-running TV series now in Season 20), and various film productions such as Discrimi*NATION, The Opposite of a Fairy Tale, and Monsters Among Us. Additional programs include Unfinished Works (screenplay workshops), the Actor Directory, and Legal Eagle support services. Content is distributed via CrossingsTV, AAFL TV on YouTube, and Apple TV. The organization also hosts the 'Elevating Women in Entertainment' podcast series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 72 Hour Shootout Annual global filmmaking competition challenging teams to write, shoot, and edit a short film within 72 hours based on a given theme. Targets underrepresented filmmakers including Asian Americans, women, LGBTQ+ creators, and other minorities seeking industry exposure, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities.
• Film Lab Presents Long-running television series featuring bold, innovative and diverse entertainment content including 'Film Lab Mash Ups' ranging from comedy to drama, with over 1.1 million cumulative viewers and now in Season 20.
• Unfinished Works Screenplay reading and workshop series where audience members participate in the writer's creative process by providing feedback on works-in-progress, serving aspiring and emerging screenwriters from diverse backgrounds.
• Actor Directory Pre-approved membership directory connecting actors from diverse backgrounds with filmmakers and production opportunities for film and television productions.
• Legal Eagle Resource program providing legal guidance and support for filmmakers navigating production legal issues.
• Discrimi*NATION Multi-disciplinary media project showcasing stories based on narratives from victims, witnesses and perpetrators of anti-Asian hate and bias crimes, designed to fight bias through cross-racial coalitions.
• The Opposite of a Fairy Tale Psychological drama film raising awareness about elder abuse crisis affecting 1 in 10 Americans age 60 or older; screened by HBO and at the SAG-AFTRA Shorts Festival, with grant support from the Asian Women Giving Circle.
• SOS: Second of Silly Epic nature comedy series produced in partnership with Face Off Unlimited and BATSU, using humor and satire to tackle harmful racial stereotypes and tropes.
• Monsters Among Us Psychological thriller following investigative journalist Cara Urbina as she uncovers horrifying experiments while investigating her mother's murder.
• Elevating Women in Entertainment Podcast series featuring top industry insiders such as Jandiz Cardoso (Sundance) and Scott Foster (ScriptHop) sharing unfiltered insights on AI, streaming, and smashing career ceilings for women in entertainment.
• Life in the Time of COVID Web series created during the first COVID outbreak, featuring humorous and relatable content tackling the stress and isolation of lockdown with remote entertainment and comedic twist.
• Hey Ladies! Biting satire film produced by Film Lab, with exclusive screening event on January 24, 2025 in New York City.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.1 million cumulative viewers for Film Lab Presents series
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AAARI-CUNYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsian American / Asian Research Institute of CUNY serves as the administrative host for the 72 Hour Film Shootout, providing the official mailing address and co-organizing programs including the annual filmmaking competition and film festival activities.
• CrossingsTVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrossingsTV serves as the primary television broadcast partner for Film Lab Presents, distributing content nationally through cable providers including Comcast and Spectrum across major US markets.
• Asian American International Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for premiering top ten 72 Hour Shootout films annually. The festival provides exhibition opportunities and industry credibility for competition winners.
• SAG-AFTRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion partnership renewed annually to jointly promote diversity in TV and film. SAG-AFTRA provides resources for filmmakers using union actors and participates in the competition.
• ABC EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarci Phillips, VP of Casting for ABC Entertainment, serves as a judge for the 72 Hour Shootout, providing industry access and mentorship opportunities.
• Sundance InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJandiz Estrada Cardoso, Director of Sundance Institute Episodic Program, serves as a judge. Sundance Collab and Sundance Institute sponsors listed as supporters.
• NBC/UniversalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNBC has partnered with Film Lab for diversity initiatives including talent development programs and mentorship opportunities for competition winners.
• Backstage MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBackstage provides free services and resources for filmmakers and serves as a competition sponsor.
• Face Off UnlimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFace Off Unlimited co-produces content including the SOS series and sponsors the 72 Hour Shootout.
• BATSU!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of content including the SOS series, with Joe Tex serving as co-founder.
• MN Acting StudiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerActing studio serving as a 2024 sponsor of Film Lab and the 72 Hour Shootout.
• New York Women in Film & TelevisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYWIFT sponsors the 72 Hour Shootout and partners on initiatives supporting women in entertainment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Center for Asian American Media (CAAM): San Francisco-based nonprofit supporting Asian American media makers through grants, fellowships, and the SF International Asian American Film Festival — directly comparable mission and nonprofit production/distribution model.
• National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC): National Latino arts advocacy and grantmaking nonprofit supporting Latino artists and organizations — comparable diversity-focused cultural nonprofit with federal/state funding streams.
• Firelight Media: NYC-based nonprofit producing documentary content and supporting diverse filmmakers (e.g., PBS docuseries) — comparable nonprofit production/distribution model and underrepresented-talent mission.
• Black Public Media (BPM): National nonprofit funding, producing, and distributing independent media by and about Black communities — directly comparable diversity-focused media nonprofit with public-broadcaster backing and filmmaker development programs.
• New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT): NYC nonprofit supporting women in entertainment via programs, mentorship, and events — directly comparable women-in-film mission and existing Film Lab competition sponsor.
• Visual Communications: LA-based Asian American media arts nonprofit producing films, festivals, and educational programs since 1968 — directly comparable mission, structure (501(c)(3)), and program mix (filmmaker support, exhibition, training).
• Pacific Islanders in Communications: Hawaii-based nonprofit supporting Pacific Islander media makers via funding, training, and content distribution — directly comparable underrepresented-community media nonprofit with public-broadcaster ties.

Broad incumbents

• SAG-AFTRA Foundation: National nonprofit arm of the performers union offering workshops, showcases, and short-film programs — overlapping talent-development mission and direct partner of Film Lab (SAG-AFTRA Foundation NY Short Film Showcase).
• Sundance Institute: Major nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers via labs, festivals, and residencies — comparable diversity-focused filmmaker development mission but at vastly larger scale and resources.

Regional players

• Asian American International Film Festival: NYC-based festival that is both a Film Lab premier partner and an independent exhibition outlet — comparable Asian American film programming and festival curation model, though primarily festival rather than year-round production.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/asamfilmlab
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@filmlabinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/AsAmFilmLab
• Instagraminstagram.com/filmlabinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Film Lab