Our Fresh Vantage Grant.

This is a post-production grant to support MN filmmakers from underserved communities to complete a documentary project. 

The Fresh Vantage Post Grant offers $15,000 grants to six marginalized emerging filmmakers from Minnesota. This grant funds post-production only. 

Applications are Closed.

Questions? Email Za’Nia.

To qualify for this grant, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be an emerging filmmaker. Emerging means must have complete some work, but have not achieved a widely known reputation as a filmmaker. It means you have goals to continue on this path to becoming a more established filmmaker.

  • Be a member of a marginalized community. This includes, but is not limited to: black, indigenous, other communities of color, disabled people, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We offer additional consideration to those who live at the intersection of two or more of these identities.

  • Your project must be entering the post-production phase. Production must be mostly completed by the time of your application.

  • Be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year, and be a resident of Minnesota for the duration of your film.

  • You cannot be a SPNN staff member (contractors are okay).

What can I use this grant for?

Examples:

  • Hire an editor (or pay yourself as an editor)

  • Hire someone to do graphics, color correction, etc.

  • Hire a composer or pay for music rights

  • Pay for photo/video rights

  • Host feedback sessions

  • Pay a story consultant

  • Pay yourself as the producer/director during the post-production process

  • Pay legal fees to have your film reviewed

This grant CANNOT be used for:

  • Engaged in development and pre-production for your film

  • Shooting your film— A small portion of these funds can be requested to cover final production costs but should not take up a large portion of the budget.

This grant is funded by the Raymond J Christensen Foundation of the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation. 

Application Requirements

  • Application Form

  • Work Samples (a prior piece and your current in-progress piece)

  • Budget (using SPNN’s provided template)

Deliverables

  • An updated budget prior to receiving funds

  • Your completed film, due one year after signing our grant contract

  • Narrative and financial reports upon the completion of your grant period.

  • Three check-in meetings with grant program manager, and one cohort meeting

If you do not meet all the deliverables you may be required to return all or a portion of the grant funds.