Creative Shorts Fellowship for Emerging Native Filmmakers

Vision Maker Media's Creative Shorts Fellowship is an initiative designed to empower emerging Native filmmakers by providing both production funding and mentorship opportunities. Vision Maker Media (VMM), a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is a leading voice in public media by and about Native Americans. The Fellowship promotes imaginative, inventive, and experimental storytelling that centers Native voices and perspectives. This includes content that explores Native cultures, values, histories, environmental and social justice, youth and elder experiences, and themes of Native empowerment. The Fellowship supports the full production of short films—defined as 40 minutes or less—in documentary, drama, experimental, or animation formats. Grants are capped at $25,000 per project for production costs. Separately, mentors receive a $5,000 honorarium directly from VMM. A key requirement is the inclusion of a named professional film mentor who will guide the emerging Native filmmaker through to project completion. Mentors can be Native or non-Native, but both the mentor and mentee must be identified prior to application. Film professionals may also apply to serve as mentors, provided they do so in partnership with their identified mentee. Eligibility is limited to emerging Native filmmakers over the age of 21 who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and who own the copyright and have creative and financial control of the proposed project. Projects must adhere to PBS’s technical and editorial guidelines and must show clear Native involvement in key roles across the production. Proposals from film mentors or professionals seeking funding for their own films, commercial or industrial productions, student thesis projects, or foreign-based production entities are not eligible. Applications are accepted biannually during two open periods: January 1 to June 30, and July 1 to December 31. This establishes a recurring schedule that provides consistent opportunities for applicants. Proposals are evaluated by a panel of public media professionals, Native content experts, and independent filmmakers who consider factors such as story strength, production plan, budget, timeline, marketing, and alignment with VMM’s mission. Final recommendations are subject to approval by VMM’s Board of Directors. Selected applicants will be required to provide production insurance, complete mentor agreements with goal-setting components, and submit promotional materials for web use. Funded projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the first installment of funding. Additional contract terms may include fiscal sponsorship agreements and adherence to specific financial and legal documentation requirements. For more information or to ask questions, applicants are encouraged to contact VMM at info@visionmakermedia.org or 402-472-3522. Guidelines and the mandatory budget template are available through Vision Maker Media’s website.

Strong emphasis on alignment with VMM’s mission and Native representation in production team; securing a mentor early is critical.