|
We are seeking actors of Asian descent who are AIA Members.
(Sign up here: https://bit.ly/aiamemberapplication, please allow for 1-2 day turnaround time to receive a Member ID).
Project: Developed during AIA's 2025 Development Lab, the untitled Feature is an epic space rom-com that follows two soulmates who set out from opposite ends of the galaxy, determined to reach each other even if the journey takes a lifetime.
Comps: Past Lives, Your Name, Interstellar
Asians in Animation (AIA) is excited to announce its first Feature Film Pre-Production Program, a program designed to equip early and emerging Asian animation professionals with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the professional animation industry. Through a combination of hands-on workshops and industry production exposure, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest animation industry hot topics and how to sustain an ever-evolving career in creativity.
With the ability to work with the top emerging talent of Asians in Animation, participants will creatively contribute to a 4 month, hands-on animation industry simulation and produce a 15-20 minute professional-level 2D storyboard animatic excerpt from a feature script alongside a full production crew.
(Sign up here: https://bit.ly/aiamemberapplication, please allow for 1-2 day turnaround time to receive a Member ID).
Project: Developed during AIA's 2025 Development Lab, the untitled Feature is an epic space rom-com that follows two soulmates who set out from opposite ends of the galaxy, determined to reach each other even if the journey takes a lifetime.
Comps: Past Lives, Your Name, Interstellar
Asians in Animation (AIA) is excited to announce its first Feature Film Pre-Production Program, a program designed to equip early and emerging Asian animation professionals with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the professional animation industry. Through a combination of hands-on workshops and industry production exposure, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest animation industry hot topics and how to sustain an ever-evolving career in creativity.
With the ability to work with the top emerging talent of Asians in Animation, participants will creatively contribute to a 4 month, hands-on animation industry simulation and produce a 15-20 minute professional-level 2D storyboard animatic excerpt from a feature script alongside a full production crew.
Project Information
- The animatic excerpt will be 15 to 20 minutes long with dialogue.
- No AI usage permitted.
- If you are accepted into the program, there is a $35 one-time program fee. If you have already paid your annual membership dues (dues paid in 2025 are good for the membership year through September 2026), are an AIA volunteer, mentor, or other eligible tier, you are exempt from this. Payment of this program fee counts as your membership fee for 2026.
- Participants will be credited for their contributions, with approval from the Line Producer and AIA. They are encouraged to display their work on their portfolio and social media after the animatic has been publicly released.
- Please contact [email protected] if you have further questions.
Dates & Times
The production will approximately run from March 2026 - August 2026, with participants expected to work a flexible 10-20 hours per week.
All applicants will receive an update by the end of April.
Thank you for your patience!
- Casting & Records: March 2026 - May 2026
- ADR: estimated July 2026, about 2 weeks
- Opens: March 30th, 2026
- Deadline: April 5th, 2026
- Applicants must be available for virtual interviews to be accepted into the program.
- Priority may be given to earlier applicants. We encourage you to submit as early as you can.
All applicants will receive an update by the end of April.
Thank you for your patience!
Eligibility
- You must be an AIA member. We will prioritize active and engaged members ready to take their next step as production-ready professionals.
- Candidates from any location are welcome to apply. This program is 100% virtual; however, core hours will be based around Pacific Time.
Roles
“VEGA” ([6, 16-18], F, Asian) – A passionate, optimistic, and fearless dreamer from a distant space colony who dives head first into opportunities that excite her. Often impulsive, she fully commits to embarking on a decades-long space journey in the name of love.
Comps: Zoey (KPop Demon Hunters), Lara Jean Covey (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before), Ruby Gillman (Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken), Belly Conklin (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Lois Lane (My Adventures with Superman) - SIDES
“ALTAIR” ([6, 16-18], M, Japanese) – A kind soul who longs for adventure, growing up in Future Tokyo. He’s held back by self-doubt and a sense of responsibility to his family. He fantasizes about taking the initiative and leading an exciting life, but fears that he’ll never amount to anything.
Comps: Ian Lightfoot (Onward), Hae Sung (Past Lives), Charlie (Perks of Being a Wallflower), Clark Kent (My Adventures with Superman) - SIDES
“DENEB” (16-18, M, Asian) – Deneb is a quick-witted, guarded junior engineer who would secretly move heaven and Earth for those he loves. A science dork, a realist, and wise beyond his years, he speaks more formally than people his age. His wit and sass comes out when he’s teasing people he cares about.
Comps: Milo Thatch (Atlantis: The Lost Empire), Q (Casino Royale), Abed (Community) - SIDES
MOM (40s~, F, Asian) – A stern, intelligent mother who struggles to articulate her concern for her daughter, Vega. She wants the best for Vega, which frequently puts them into conflict. She is a scientist and engineer working to build a spaceship. She believes romance is frivolous.
Comps: Ming Lee (Turning Red), Lin Beifong (Legend of Korra), Grandmahmah (Ruby Gilman, Teenage Kraken), Michelle Yeoh (EEAAO) - SIDES
CHIEF (40s~, M) – Altair’s boss, an officer on an intergalactic passenger ship. He is gruff and comes across as intimidating at first, but is surprisingly kind and looks out for those under his care.
Comps: Xavier Collins (Paradise), Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation), Marshal Stacker Pentecost (Pacific Rim) - SIDES
ROBOT (M or F, Robot) – An inquisitive and naive robot who comes to understand the meaning of love and life over the course of his travels with Vega. He has a somewhat childish persona mixed with robotic competency.
Comps: Roz (The Wild Robot), C-3PO (Star Wars: A New Hope), Baymax (Big Hero 6), Rocky (Project Hail Mary) - SIDES
DAD (40s~, M, Japanese) - Altair’s father. Energetic, cheerful, supportive. - SIDES
BROTHER (10~, M, Japanese) - Altair’s brother. Loud and rowdy. - SIDES
COWORKER (16~, M, Japanese) - An unmotivated dockhand. - SIDES
MOM 2 (40s~, F, Japanese) - Altair’s mother. - SIDES
TEACHER (30s~, F) - Kind, concerned. - SIDES
GIRL: (6~, F) - Judgmental, mean. - SIDES
Comps: Zoey (KPop Demon Hunters), Lara Jean Covey (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before), Ruby Gillman (Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken), Belly Conklin (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Lois Lane (My Adventures with Superman) - SIDES
“ALTAIR” ([6, 16-18], M, Japanese) – A kind soul who longs for adventure, growing up in Future Tokyo. He’s held back by self-doubt and a sense of responsibility to his family. He fantasizes about taking the initiative and leading an exciting life, but fears that he’ll never amount to anything.
Comps: Ian Lightfoot (Onward), Hae Sung (Past Lives), Charlie (Perks of Being a Wallflower), Clark Kent (My Adventures with Superman) - SIDES
“DENEB” (16-18, M, Asian) – Deneb is a quick-witted, guarded junior engineer who would secretly move heaven and Earth for those he loves. A science dork, a realist, and wise beyond his years, he speaks more formally than people his age. His wit and sass comes out when he’s teasing people he cares about.
Comps: Milo Thatch (Atlantis: The Lost Empire), Q (Casino Royale), Abed (Community) - SIDES
MOM (40s~, F, Asian) – A stern, intelligent mother who struggles to articulate her concern for her daughter, Vega. She wants the best for Vega, which frequently puts them into conflict. She is a scientist and engineer working to build a spaceship. She believes romance is frivolous.
Comps: Ming Lee (Turning Red), Lin Beifong (Legend of Korra), Grandmahmah (Ruby Gilman, Teenage Kraken), Michelle Yeoh (EEAAO) - SIDES
CHIEF (40s~, M) – Altair’s boss, an officer on an intergalactic passenger ship. He is gruff and comes across as intimidating at first, but is surprisingly kind and looks out for those under his care.
Comps: Xavier Collins (Paradise), Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation), Marshal Stacker Pentecost (Pacific Rim) - SIDES
ROBOT (M or F, Robot) – An inquisitive and naive robot who comes to understand the meaning of love and life over the course of his travels with Vega. He has a somewhat childish persona mixed with robotic competency.
Comps: Roz (The Wild Robot), C-3PO (Star Wars: A New Hope), Baymax (Big Hero 6), Rocky (Project Hail Mary) - SIDES
DAD (40s~, M, Japanese) - Altair’s father. Energetic, cheerful, supportive. - SIDES
BROTHER (10~, M, Japanese) - Altair’s brother. Loud and rowdy. - SIDES
COWORKER (16~, M, Japanese) - An unmotivated dockhand. - SIDES
MOM 2 (40s~, F, Japanese) - Altair’s mother. - SIDES
TEACHER (30s~, F) - Kind, concerned. - SIDES
GIRL: (6~, F) - Judgmental, mean. - SIDES
Participant Goals & Objectives
- Connect with established Asian professionals in the animation industry, akin to an apprenticeship, to gain insight into what it’s like to work on a fast-moving production.
- Hone technical skills & artistic instincts within an industry-level pipeline to prepare for a successful career in animation.
- Create an imaginative animatic to build professional experience and showcase skills.
- Foster strong professional relationships through collaborative and constructive communication practices between departments.
Have questions?
Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
For any additional questions, please reach out to the AIA Program Team at prodprogram@asiansinanimation.org.
For any additional questions, please reach out to the AIA Program Team at prodprogram@asiansinanimation.org.
2026 Feature Program Team
Production Program Team
Chief Creative Officer & Program Executive Producer - Saira Umar
Head of Production - Alice Jiang
Program Team - Faith Baptista, Ashley Whang, Lucy Kirkpatrick, Jennifer Vu, Brynn Straley,
Andrew Velazco, Vivian Le, Mackenzie Endlich, Harini Shree Uma Pachaiyappan, Kim Quach
Feature Production Team 2026
Director/Executive Producer: Peri Segel
Writer/Associate Producer: Allen Wu
Casting & Voice Directors: Topher Ngo, Sekai Murashige
Casting & Records Assistants: Stephanie Sim, Kim Quach, Saira Umar
Special Thanks
Lexie Chu, Katie Dizon, Anna Maria Folsom, Kaitlyn Chen, Prince Masong, Abigail Setera, Bethany Tong, Dani Yuan
Chief Creative Officer & Program Executive Producer - Saira Umar
Head of Production - Alice Jiang
Program Team - Faith Baptista, Ashley Whang, Lucy Kirkpatrick, Jennifer Vu, Brynn Straley,
Andrew Velazco, Vivian Le, Mackenzie Endlich, Harini Shree Uma Pachaiyappan, Kim Quach
Feature Production Team 2026
Director/Executive Producer: Peri Segel
Writer/Associate Producer: Allen Wu
Casting & Voice Directors: Topher Ngo, Sekai Murashige
Casting & Records Assistants: Stephanie Sim, Kim Quach, Saira Umar
Special Thanks
Lexie Chu, Katie Dizon, Anna Maria Folsom, Kaitlyn Chen, Prince Masong, Abigail Setera, Bethany Tong, Dani Yuan
