Application

APPLICATION CLOSED ON MARCH 18, 2024

APPLICATION COMPONENTS

  1. ONE-LINER
    In one sentence, provide a brief description of your body of work, offering context for your application and work samples; for instance, “I specialize in human rights documentary filmmaking.”
  2. ARTIST STATEMENT
    Submit a concise artist statement (maximum 600 words) outlining your creative process, vision, and their connection to your work samples. Include relevant details about your background, the evolution or current direction of your work, and any unique perspectives shaping your artistic practice. If applicable, address your distinctive position in creating your work and your approach to issues like representation and accountability. Note that this year, the artist statement must be entered directly into the application’s text field rather than as a one-page PDF. Prepare your statement in advance for easy cut-and-paste submission.
  3. YOUR IDENTITY AND YOUR WORK (optional)
    Briefly highlight any aspects of your background that inform your connection to your work. If relevant details have already been addressed in your artist statement, you can provide a concise restatement here for additional context and clarity for the panel.

Consider aspects such as cultural, socio-political, geographic, class, education, health, citizenship, immigration/refugee, ideology, language, parental status, marital status, rural/urban, and/or spiritual/religious background in your response (optional, limit 100 words). Provide a brief but meaningful insight into how these factors shape your position in connection to your work. Please see the following opening statements listed below. You’re encouraged to expand on these with more details or context in your reply:

    • My interest in writing about “outsiders” and their struggle to understand their place in the world is because I was adopted as an infant and have faced some of those struggles myself…
    • My father was a photojournalist, my mother a travel agent, and I worked for several years as a line cook, so I feel uniquely prepared to make documentaries that explore the intersection of food and travel…
    • As the daughter of South Korean immigrants, I am drawn to tell raw stories about diverse people and fearless Asian American women…
  1. TWO OR THREE WORK SAMPLES
    Applicants must be the sole artist credited with your job title on the project. If for example, you co-directed a film all work samples must be work created by that team.
  2. 50-WORD SYNOPSIS FOR EACH WORK SAMPLE
    This will serve as a quick reference for jurors to refresh their understanding of your project. Strictly adhere to the 50-word limit.
  3. PROCESS AND HISTORY STATEMENTS
    The Process and History statements are flexible documents, which allow you to convey additional information about your work sample to the panel. For each work you’re submitting, provide a brief written description of the inspiration or vision for the piece, unique or notable aspects of the process, and the production and exhibition history (if applicable). Use this document to offer context that may be essential for the jurors. Keep it to a maximum of one page, and include your name at the top.
  4. ARTIST RESUME
    Limit your resume to two pages, showcasing at least five years of artistic and professional accomplishment in your medium. Include details about your work, honors, awards, and other recognitions, along with information about your education and relevant experience. Ensure all listings include dates, as they are crucial. Use your resume to effectively communicate your artistic achievements and dedication to the panel.
  5. PROOF OF BEYOND EMERGING STATUS
    Submit programs, documents, or links as evidence of your participation in festivals, curated programs, awards, producer options, or broadcast schedules (as defined under “Eligibility”). Keep in mind that the panel doesn’t review this information; program staff use it solely to assess eligibility. Therefore, there is no need to provide more documentation than the minimum required.
  6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
    By applying you attest:
    • To the accuracy of the information supplied in this application.
    • That the material submitted is your sole and original work.
    • That you have thoroughly reviewed all eligibility requirements and affirm your compliance.
    • To your agreement to promptly inform FilmNorth if you become ineligible before the competition concludes.
    • That you are over the age of 18 (or will be) by the application deadline.
    • That you have lived in Minnesota for at least a year prior to the application deadline.
    • That if awarded, you agree to reside in Minnesota for a minimum of one year after receiving the fellowship, extending until June 30, 2025.
    • That you are willing to participate in all aspects of the fellowship program, including meetings, public relations opportunities, and fellowship events.
    • To your agreement to indemnify and hold FilmNorth, its staff, and fellowship jurors harmless from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) related to any work submitted to the McKnight Media Artist Fellowship or any project resulting from such work.
    • Acknowledgement that the responsibility for obtaining copyright or protecting any proprietary interests in the material, if desired, lies solely with you.
    • That providing false or misleading information on this application, or failing in any other way to comply with the rules will subject you to disqualification and/or forfeiture of the fellowship.
    • That you affirm your understanding of the objectives and terms of the McKnight Media Artist Fellowships, and indicate your acceptance of these conditions if selected as a fellow. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications are taken via Submittable. If you do not already have an account, you may sign up for free here. Fill out the application and upload all information and supporting materials by the submission deadline.

Submission Deadline
Monday, March 18, 2024 at 5PM

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AFTER 5PM. At that time the system immediately stops accepting applications, even if you are working on yours. Please plan ahead to make sure your system is compatible with the application process. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Instances of technical difficulties (slow upload speeds, software issues, etc.) can not be granted exceptions; please ensure you allocate sufficient time to submit your materials by the deadline.

WORK SAMPLE SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS

  1. Depending on your medium, submit your work samples either as links, attachments, or provide them on physical media if required. You can locate the designated submission method for your medium in the information provided below.
  2. When applicable, please upload work samples as PDFs only (work samples submitted as email attachments or on paper are not permitted).
  3. For Quicktime, MP3, or other media files, use external sites like YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud, and share the link with us. Avoid submitting links from Dropbox or any file hosting site requiring panelists to download software.

WORK SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS

You must submit at least two work samples; if you have three strong ones, we encourage you to submit three. Put your best work sample first. Please note that if you are applying as a writer, you may only submit writing samples; conversely if you are not applying as a writer, you may not submit any writing samples.

Writers in film, television, and streaming:

  • You must submit a minimum of two, or a maximum of three completed scripts of any length.
  • Include a 1-2 page plot synopsis for your screenplay, providing an overview of the entire story. This is distinct from both a treatment, and the 50-word synopsis mentioned in point 3 below. Do not exceed 2 pages, and ensure your name is placed at the top.
  • Scripts must be in standard screenplay format.
  • Submit your work as a PDF.
  • If you are submitting episodic work, avoid submitting two episodes from the same series unless accompanied by a different work sample from another project. For instance, to submit two samples from the same episodic series, you must also include a third sample from a different project.

Directors in film, television, and streaming:

  • You must submit a minimum of two, or a maximum of three completed projects of any length.
  • Submit the entire work.
  • Please indicate the track or timecode where you want the judges to begin reviewing your submission.
  • Submit your work as a URL via external sites like YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud.
  • If you are submitting episodic work, avoid submitting two episodes from the same series unless accompanied by a different work sample from another project. For instance, to submit two samples from the same episodic series, you must also include a third sample from a different project.

Podcast and radio artists:

  • You must submit a minimum of two, or a maximum of three completed projects of any length.
  • Submit the entire work.
  • Please indicate the track or timecode where you want the judges to begin reviewing your submission.
  • Submit your work as a URL via external sites like YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud.
  • If you are submitting episodic work, avoid submitting two episodes from the same series unless accompanied by a different work sample from another project. For instance, to submit two samples from the same episodic series, you must also include a third sample from a different project. 

Web, computer, video, and interactive game artist:

  • You must submit two or three completed projects of any length.
  • In addition to the work samples, you must provide a video walkthrough of each sample.
  • Please indicate the track, timecode, or level where you want the judges to begin reviewing your submission.
  • Submit your work as a URL via external sites like YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud. If this is not possible, please contact Robert Ndondo-Lay, the program administrator.

Creative artists specializing in emerging forms of media:

Please reach out to the program administrator, Robert Ndondo-Lay, and provide details about your specific practice to facilitate the determination of qualifying work samples.

PERMITTED GENRES AND FORMATS

You may submit work samples in any of these media:

  • Feature-length and short narrative films/videos
  • Feature-length and short narrative film scripts
  • Feature-length and short documentaries
  • Feature-length and short documentary scripts
  • Feature-length and short experimental projects
  • Feature-length and short animated projects
  • Multi-part or single television or streaming programs
  • Multi-part or single television or streaming scripts
  • Multi-part webisodes
  • Multi-part webisode scripts
  • Multi-part or single radio programs
  • Multi-part or single podcast programs
  • Interactive games
  • Websites with narrative or interactive components
  • Other interactive media pieces that are difficult to categorize

FilmNorth recognizes that not all media projects fall within the strict definitions of genres and formats. Refer to the list below of works not accepted, and speak with the program administrator if you have questions regarding eligibility of a particular work.

DISALLOWED GENRES AND FORMATS

You may not submit work samples of any of these types:

  • Works produced in fulfillment of a class assignment or a degree program
  • Works for hire (Please review this page to understand our definition of “work made for hire.” Should
    you have any additional questions, please reach out to the program administrator.)
  • News journalism
  • Reality and lifestyle entertainment
  • Advertising commercials and/or promotional films
  • Industrial films and websites
  • Corporate films and websites
  • Educational films and websites
  • Music videos
  • Trailers, clips, sizzle reels, or pitch proposals
  • Director’s or producer’s reels
  • Incomplete works in progress
  • Screenplay or teleplay adaptations of existing works originated by another artist
  • Unscripted talk radio and interviews
  • Still photography
  • Filmed versions of live events and plays