July 22, 2026 | Filed under: Filmmaker's Resources
Vision Maker Media (VMM), the premier source of media by and about Native Americans since 1976, is offering funding to independent producers or Native youth organizations who have an interest in training Native youth in short-format media story development and production.
“Native heritage and Native perspectives must be prominent on all of today’s media platforms. For that reason, the Native Youth Media Project is one of the most important initiatives that Vision Maker Media has launched in our fifty-year history,” says VMM CEO and President Francene Blythe-Lewis. “Native youth can build upon the cultural storytelling talents of their elders while achieving invaluable media expertise and personal life skills. We are grateful to all independent producers or Native youth organizations who apply to join this effort.”
VMM’s call for the Native Youth Media Project includes experienced independent producers or Native youth organizations working with Native youth ages 15-21. The intended goal is for Native youth to produce a media piece focused on topics such as health & wellness, science, climate & environment, education, art, culture, history, language, and empowerment. Finished projects will then be shared in a local community setting and the screening format will be determined by the independent producer or Native youth organization.
Interested independent producers or Native youth organizations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding support. All completed projects should be in an exhibitable digital format and archived in the highest quality available. Eligible independent producers or Native youth organizations must be U.S.-based and the call is open year-round. For the guidelines and online application, please visit: https://visionmakermedia.org/fund-your-film/.
VMM has trained over 500 youth in its fifty-year history. VMM’s Native Youth Media Project (NYMP) was formally launched in 2020. It provides a creative outlet for self-expression, builds powerful mentoring relationships, and fosters leadership and public speaking skills through active community involvement.