Mamá Papaya

Mamá Papaya is an immigrant-led nonprofit organization nurturing and cultivating underrepresented filmmakers and storytellers in Minnesota. 

Rooted in solidarity, community, and care, we provide grants, mentorship, and creative programs that support BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ filmmakers to tell their stories and build sustainable careers in film.

Through fellowships like StorySeeds and FilmSparks, filmmakers learn to write, produce, and direct their first short films—creating ripple effects that transform both culture and community. Our work extends beyond the screen: through screenings, gatherings, and our annual Cinefilmu Film Festival, we’re building a filmmaking ecosystem grounded in trust, collaboration, and shared resources.

Mamá Papaya envisions a future where film in Minnesota reflects the richness of its communities—where BIPOC and queer artists lead, create, and shape the narratives that define our collective culture. We are working to change how the film industry operates by cultivating models of care, mentorship, and economic sustainability that make lasting creative lives possible.

At Mamá Papaya, storytelling is more than art—it’s a practice of preservation, liberation, and transformation. 🌱