Vision Maker Media funded $1,000,000 to eleven documentaries through its 2022 Public Media Fund for future television broadcasting, and $180,000 through its Creative Shorts Fellowship fund to emerging Native filmmakers and their film mentorships.
Through these projects, VMM’s total support provides representation to nineteen Native Nations throughout the US in media. Film topics range from social justice, climate and environment, health and wellness, democracy, and arts. Areas of funding support, through the Public Media Fund, are for: research and development, production, or post-production in amounts ranging from $25,000 to $150,000. Funding for the Creative Shorts Fellowship is up to $25,000 for production and completion of a short film in any genre, with Vision Maker Media paying mentors $5,000.
Check out the list of projects supported this year.
DECOLONIZING THE PLATE (WORKING TITLE)
A Diné woman follows the story of a Peruvian-born chef, who is reconnecting with his Indigenous culinary roots, and learns more about herself.
THE GOOD RELATIVE (WORKING TITLE)
UNDER THE BATTLE TIPI: KIOWA BLACK LEGGINGS WARRIOR SOCIETY
ALASKA NATIVE HEALTH EQUITY PROJECT
Jaclyn Sallee (Inupiaq), Executive Producer, from Alaska funded for Production.
WITHOUT ARROWS
Elizabeth Day (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), Director/Producer, from Minnesota funded for Production.
CROSSING THE LINE
Victims of violence and the fight to make effective change.
Ramona D. Emerson (Navajo), Director/Writer/Co-producer, from New Mexico funded for Production.
BOUCHA (WORKING TITLE)
A man uncovering hidden pride for his people and culture.
Leya Hale (Dakota, Diné), Director, Producer, from Minnesota funded for Production.
INDIGENOUS GENDERS (WORKING TITLE)
Exploring the lives of people, who are challenging gender norms.
Raven Two Feathers (Cherokee, Seneca, Cayuga, Comanche), Producer/Director, from Washington funded for 2nd Phase Production.
WHOSE LAND? O'ODHAM LAND! (WORKING TITLE)
Explores the impact of US-Mexico border policy on O’odham peoples.
Victoria Westover, Producer/Co-Director, Mike Wilson (Tohono O’odham Tribe), Producer/Co-Director, from Arizona funded for Research and Development.
RED POWER RISING: HEIRS TO THE REVOLUTION (WORKING TITLE)
A radical retelling of the American Indian civil rights struggle.
Jeff Bieber, Co-Executive Producer, from Maryland and Steve Hoggard, Co-Executive Producer, from Colorado funded for Research and Development.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: FRANCES DENSMORE AND MOUNTAIN CHIEF (1916)
Stephanie Carter, Executive Producer, from New York funded for Post-Production.
THE CIRCLE OF CHAWCE
A boy’s family mythology comes to life in a 4th grade classroom.
Fellow/Writer/Director: Randi LeClair (Pawnee Nation) from Oklahoma
Mentor: Ramona D. Emerson (Navajo Nation Northern Navajo Agency)
FOUR NIGHTS AND A FIRE
A departed Ojibwe journeys to the afterlife, while a surviving relative finds resilience in the departed’s footsteps.
Fellow/Writer/Director: Alexander Nystrom (Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Indians) from California
Mentor: Amman Abbasi
[NATIVE] FIRE AS MEDICINE
California First Nations firefighters, ecologists, and cultural burn leaders use fire for Native cultural revitalization and catastrophic fire prevention.
Fellow/Writer/Producer/Director: Tisina Ta-till-ium Parker (Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation/Kudadiki Paiute/Kashia Pomo) from California
Mentor: Cecilia Shakerley
GLENBURN 12 WP
A woman grapples to cope, process, and understand the MMIW occurrence of her friend.
Fellow/Producer/Lead Actor: Tanis Parenteau (Métis Nation of Alberta (Cree)) from New York
Mentor: Yvonne Russo (Rosebud Reservation – Lakota)
LOOKOUT 32
Isolated, a firewatcher discovers a terrifying Native American legend.
Fellow/Director/Producer/Writer: Littlebear Sanchez (Lipan Apache) from California
Mentor: Sheila Rocha
