Creative Shorts Fellowship

The Creative Shorts Fellowship is offered by Vision Maker Media (VMM), an organization dedicated to empowering and engaging Native people to share their stories through public media. Founded in 1976, VMM is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. VMM plays a significant role in training Native American and Alaska Native producers and distributing Native-focused media content across public broadcasting channels. Their mission is rooted in promoting authentic Native narratives and supporting Native storytellers with the tools and platforms necessary for cultural expression and public engagement. The Creative Shorts Fellowship aims to break down traditional barriers in Native storytelling by providing funding and mentorship for the development of short films. The initiative is targeted specifically at emerging Native filmmakers who seek to pursue a professional career in film production. VMM encourages artistic experimentation and innovation, supporting films that challenge dominant narratives and explore themes such as Native cultures, values, histories, contemporary life, environmental and social justice, youth and elder stories, and Native empowerment. These films can be produced in a variety of genres, including documentary, drama, experimental, or animation. The fellowship is structured around both financial support and professional mentorship. VMM offers up to $25,000 in production support for each awarded project, with an additional $5,000 honorarium paid directly to a selected mentor, who may be Native or non-Native. Applicants are required to secure their mentor or mentee before applying. Production funding covers key phases such as principal photography, hiring of crew and talent, rights clearance, website development for the film, and post-production work. Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the first funding installment, and all films must meet PBS’s technical specifications as outlined in the PBS Red Book. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. citizens or legal residents aged 21 or older who are emerging Native filmmakers and maintain artistic, editorial, and budgetary control over their project. The applicant must also own the copyright to the short film. All proposals must show significant Native American involvement in the production team, either above or below the line, and reflect the mission of Vision Maker Media. Film professionals may not apply for funding for their own projects—only as mentors in partnership with a Native mentee. Additionally, commercial programs, student productions, and foreign-owned projects are not eligible. Any proposed short film must be under 40 minutes in length and ready for production at the time of submission. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of public media professionals, Native content experts, and independent filmmakers. Evaluation criteria include the strength of the story, qualifications of the production team, soundness of the budget and timeline, quality of work samples, marketing plan, and how well the project aligns with Vision Maker Media’s mission. The final decision rests with the Vision Maker Media Board of Directors. The Creative Shorts Fellowship is currently open for applications and will close on January 1, 2026, at 11:30 AM. The opportunity is not rolling but is expected to recur annually, based on language from prior announcements. Contacts for inquiries include the general email [email protected] and phone number 402-472-3522. All applications must adhere to the guidelines set forth in the official fellowship document and must include all required materials, such as a completed mentor agreement, fiscal sponsorship details if applicable, insurance certificates, and publicity materials suitable for web and print.