Announcing Filmmaker Fellows

Confluence is pleased to announce the Confluence Filmmaker Fellows program in partnership with Oregon Film. Three Indigenous video artists will receive cash prizes to support a film project they are developing: one for $5,000 and two for $2,500. Four other Emerging Indigenous Filmmakers will receive full camera kits so that they can take their craft to the next level.

Eligible projects would align broadly to Confluence’s mission to connect people to the history, living cultures, and ecology of our region through Indigenous voices. Some ideas for possible themes include Growth, Healing, and Community. The goal is to support Indigenous filmmakers achieve their visions. This project is supported by a grant provided by the Creative Opportunity Program and Oregon Film – OregonFilm.org.

Deadline: May 15, 2023.

Note added May 15: submissions will be accepted a few days late.

Prizes
Three Confluence Filmmaker Fellows. One will receive a $5,000 prize and two will receive $2,500.

Four Emerging Filmmakers: Four individuals will receive this fellowship. They will each receive a full camera kit estimated $800 in value.

Winning projects will be featured in the Confluence Digital Library of interviews and documentary shorts and can be used in classrooms and public events. They will also be showcased in a Confluence Story Gathering, which are public events designed to elevate Indigenous voices in our collective understanding of the Columbia River system. Submissions will be judged on their alignment with the Confluence mission and quality of the production.

An advisory committee will choose among the submissions. This committee includes filmmakers Woodrow Hunt (Klamath/Modoc,Cherokee), LaRonn Katchia (Warm Springs), and artist Mersaedy Atkins (Collville/Yakama), and writer Daniel Wilson (Cherokee), and others.

How to Submit

Submissions will be accepted until May 15th, 2023 and decisions will be made in June 2023.

Please submit a two-page proposal that includes:

• a short project overview
• a budget
• a timeline

Please also submit a link to a sample reel that is no longer than five minutes.

Please email to Confluence Digital Content Manager Lily Hart with the subject line “Filmmaker Fellows.”

Filmmakers should have a cultural connection to Oregon though they do not need to be a resident.

After winners are chosen, the review committee will stay in touch with the filmmakers as they develop their project. In order to foster community and mentorship, the core work group will check in and be available for questions. They will also hold a couple Zoom meetings with all Fellows and encourage the Fellows to be in touch with each other.

A screening for all projects will be held in June 2024. Location to be determined.