Organizer Information
Jerome Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports artists and arts organizations, with a particular focus on enabling artists to develop ambitious, innovative work. Its Minnesota Film Production Grant supports early-career film directors based in Minnesota whose work demonstrates creative vision, experimentation, meaningful community engagement, and potential impact on the broader creative field.
The 2027 program offers production grants of up to $30,000 to individual film directors or two-person co-directing teams. The program is designed for filmmakers in their 2nd through 10th year of generative practice, excluding time spent in degree-granting programs.
Title & Description
2027 Minnesota Film Production Grant Program
The 2027 Minnesota Film Production Grant supports Minnesota-based early-career film directors creating short- or long-form projects in experimental, narrative, animation, documentary, or hybrid forms.
The program emphasizes filmmakers with a clear artistic voice who are willing to take creative risks and develop imaginative approaches to filmmaking. Jerome Foundation also values meaningful relationships between filmmakers and the communities, subjects, and creative fields connected to their work.
Projects must be in production at some point between May 2027 and April 2029. The grant can support multiple stages of filmmaking, but at least 50% of awarded funds must be directed toward production expenses.
Categories
- Film
- Experimental Film
- Narrative Film
- Documentary
- Animation
- Hybrid / Interdisciplinary Film
- Short Film
- Feature-Length / Long-Form Film
Eligibility
The opportunity is open to Minnesota residents who:
- Are at least 18 years old.
- Have lived in Minnesota for at least one year at the time of application in November 2026.
- Plan to remain Minnesota residents for at least 183 days during the grant period.
- Are early-career film directors with 2–10 years of directing practice.
- Have at least two completed and publicly screened film projects created outside a degree program, with at least 10 minutes of total completed publicly screened work.
- Conceived the proposed film and retain its copyright and artistic, budgetary, and editorial control.
- Are the credited director of the proposed project.
Two-person co-directing teams may apply jointly, provided both directors independently satisfy all eligibility requirements.
Filmmakers currently enrolled in degree-granting programs, full-time tenured faculty, producers or other film professionals who are not primarily directors, and filmmakers with more than 10 years of generative practice are not eligible. Several categories of significant commercial success or major established-artist awards also make applicants ineligible.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected filmmakers receive production grants of up to $30,000. Funds may support:
- Pre-production
- Production
- Post-production
- Editing and sound
- Equipment
- Cast and crew
- Location costs
- Travel and lodging
- Rights and licensing
- Subtitling and translation
- DCP creation
- Color correction and visual effects
- Marketing and distribution
- Festival fees and screenings
- Community engagement
At least 50% of the grant must be used for production expenses. The program does not require the film to be completed by April 2029, but grant funds must be received and used during the May 2027–April 2029 grant period.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- September 2, 2026: Step 1 application opens
- September 10, 2026: Informational Webinar
- September 15, 2026: Step 1 CV & Work Sample Webinar
- October 1, 2026, before 4:00 PM Central Time: Step 1 deadline
- October 15, 2026: Step 1 eligibility notifications
- October 22, 2026: Step 2 Application Webinar
- November 24, 2026, before 4:00 PM Central Time: Step 2 deadline
- December 2026–March 2027: Panel review and recommendations
- By March 31, 2027: Final application-status notification
- May 2027: Public announcement of grantees
- May 2027–April 2029: Grant funding period
Late applications are not accepted.
Location
Minnesota, United States
Additional Details
- The program uses a two-step application process specifically to identify eligibility before applicants invest time in the full project application.
- Applications are assessed according to Creative Vision, Creative Risk, Creative Engagement and Impact, Feasibility, and alignment with Jerome Foundation values.
- The program does not require formal film-school training. However, applicants cannot use the grant for study in degree-granting programs.
- Jerome Foundation also provides accessibility support, including captioned online information sessions and interpreters upon request.
- Applicants may apply only once, either individually or as part of one co-directing team. Filmmakers cannot simultaneously apply to the Minnesota Filmmaker Mentorship Grant.