FilmNorth

As we know, our creative community is often dependent on seasonal work, with many living paycheck to paycheck. With the recent government shutdown, the possibility of steep increases in health insurance premiums, and uncertainty and fear sweeping through immigrant communities, artists are feeling even more vulnerable right now and struggling financially.

This year for Give to the Max Day, FilmNorth is raising funds to support a Minnesota Film Community Emergency Relief Fund. The goal is to raise $10,000 in donations with a $10,000 match, for a total of $20,000. FilmNorth will provide an accessible application form for funds and will administer up to 75 small grants to individuals who work in media arts and are currently struggling to make ends meet. Qualified individuals will self-report being part of a low-income household, work within Media Arts in some capacity – on film crews, as a producer/director/screenwriter, as a photographer, or any other realm of media arts. In the spirit of transparency, FilmNorth will use 10% of donated funds to administer the program. 

To apply for this grant, individuals will explain how they are involved in the filmmaking and media arts community, provide a short explanation of why the funds would help them in this moment, along with demographic information so that we can track which communities are benefitting. Sharing sensitive financial information and/or providing proof of need is NOT required. The program will remain open until all funds have been granted.

Grantees will be selected based on need, with priority given to individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities. FilmNorth staff and board will review applications and select the individuals to receive these grants. 

On this Give to the Max Day, we ask our community to join us in celebrating and supporting our filmmakers and media artists. A gift in any amount will go a long way to easing the burden on artists at this vulnerable time. Thank you!

FilmNorth inspires and provides opportunities for all media artists in The North to thrive, with a commitment to eliminate disparities for those who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color, people with a disability, undocumented, rural, low income, and LGBTQIA2+ people, women, and those embodying intersections of these identities. _____________________________________________________________________________________

FilmNorth’s mission is to empower artists to tell their stories, launch and sustain successful careers, and advance The North as a leader in the national network of independent filmmakers. We achieve our mission by nurturing a vibrant, diverse community of film and media artists; providing education and resources at every stage of their careers; and celebrating their achievements.

FilmNorth was founded in 1987 as Independent Feature Project Minnesota in recognition that independent filmmakers needed a support network to help them create their work outside of the legacy studio system. In the 1990s IFP Minnesota merged with Film in the Cities and Midwest Media Access Center, becoming the largest filmmaker service organization in the region. In 2017 the organization rebranded itself as FilmNorth to more accurately describe our commitment to and impact on filmmaking in the region. Today our support of the art of visual storytelling encompasses screenwriting, filmmaking and photography. We nurture and launch national caliber talent, then gather to celebrate their achievements.

FilmNorth offers several opportunities for Minnesota artists at every stage of their careers. 

Empowering Youth: Youth Education includes residencies in schools and with youth-serving organizations, workshops, mentorships, internships, Studio Thirteen Future Filmmakers Lab for youth transitioning into a film career, and summer camps. Over 800 served.

Deepening Professional Knowledge: Our Education and Professional Development Programs offers over 100 classes, multiple Master Classes, the annual two-day FilmNorth Forum, and workshops with industry leaders from across the nation. Over 600 participants.

Providing Financial Support: Fellowships and fiscal sponsorship allow artists to make their project a reality. Over 50 fiscally sponsored projects, which includes consultation on new work, and four McKnight Media Artist Fellowships.

Expanding Audiences:  New work is screened at CinemaLounge at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis and Independent Spirit Award screenings at the Walker Art Center. Visual art, photography, and multi-media installations are exhibited in the Marsden/Gustafson Gallery at FilmNorth. Over 2,000 audience members, 40 screenings per year, and four exhibitions.

Changing Lives: FilmNorth gives new, emerging, and established filmmakers a foundation to reach their dreams through low-cost access to editing suites, classrooms, meeting space and filmmaking equipment.