Vision Maker Media Acquisitions Fund: Native American Film & Media Projects

Funding for Indigenous Film Projects Representing Native American & Alaska Native Experiences

Donor: Vision Maker Media

About: The Vision Maker Media 2025 Acquisitions Fund offers vital financial support for completed or near-completed media projects that represent the cultures, experiences, and values of American Indians and Alaska Natives. This prestigious grant helps Indigenous storytellers share authentic narratives that might otherwise remain untold in mainstream media.

Vision Maker Media has established itself as the premier source of public media by and about Native Americans since 1976, empowering Indigenous creators to control their own narratives and cultural representation. The organization receives major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and operates from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where they also offer student employment and internship opportunities for the next generation of Native storytellers.

What sets this fund apart is its focus on acquiring finished or nearly finished projects rather than funding new productions. This creates an invaluable opportunity for Indigenous filmmakers who have completed their work but need distribution support to reach wider audiences through public media channels. The Acquisitions Fund represents a critical pathway for Indigenous creatives to secure proper distribution and visibility for their completed works.

This rolling deadline opportunity allows filmmakers the flexibility to submit when their projects are ready, rather than rushing to meet a fixed deadline. Vision Maker Media thoroughly reviews each submission, examining both the cultural significance and technical quality of the work. Successful projects expand the diversity of Indigenous stories available to public media audiences while maintaining high production standards.

For filmmakers needing assistance navigating the grant application process, Grantaura’s expert consultants can provide specialized guidance on crafting compelling proposals that align with Vision Maker Media’s mission and requirements. Our team understands the nuanced cultural considerations and technical elements that strengthen Indigenous media project applications.

Focus: Indigenous storytelling, Native American culture, Alaska Native perspectives, documentary film, educational media, public broadcasting, cultural preservation, social justice

Region: United States

Eligibility:
-Open to independent filmmakers and producers with completed or near-completed media projects
-Projects must represent the cultures, experiences, and values of American Indians and Alaska Natives
-Content must be suitable for public media distribution
-Applicants must create a free Submittable account to apply
-No restrictions based on applicant’s ethnic background, but content must authentically represent Native American perspectives

Benefits:
-Acquisition funding for completed or nearly completed media projects
-Distribution through public media channels
-Broader audience reach through PBS and related platforms
-Potential additional distribution opportunities through educational and home video markets
-Increased visibility for Native American and Alaska Native stories
-Professional recognition in the documentary and public media sector

Deadline: January 1, 2026

Terms:
-Submittable: The online platform used for grant applications and proposal submissions
-Public Media: Non-commercial broadcasting that serves the public interest, including PBS and NPR
-Acquisitions: The process of purchasing completed media works for distribution
-Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB): A nonprofit corporation that promotes public broadcasting in the United States
-PBS: Public Broadcasting Service, a nonprofit American public broadcaster and television program distributor