North Star Fellowship

Still from The Gardeners by Crystal Kayiza, 2020 North Star Fellow

Developed in collaboration with Kickstarter, the North Star Fellowship is one of the cornerstones of the Points North Institute, supporting four innovative media artists and filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds who are developing projects that span the latitudes of creative nonfiction. These might include film, video installation, audio and photo-based work, immersive experiences, performance or other modes and genres.

Fellows gather for one week on the coast of Maine, leading up to the annual Camden International Film Festival. A series of workshops, screenings, meals and excursions create time and space for an ongoing critical dialogue about expanded documentary aesthetics, representation, radical collaboration, the context of research, and more.

Fellows are joined by curators, critics, filmmakers, multidisciplinary artists, and industry professionals, each of whom provides new perspectives on the Fellows’ creative process and the evolving universe of nonfiction.

The program culminates during four days of CIFF, where North Star Fellows plug into a global community of storytellers and artists, attending screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, industry meetings, and special events.

“Sample statement about how much the participant loved this program. The program was rewarding and gave the participant a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone should support this program.”

Fellow 1, Grantee of American Stories

“Sample statement about how much the participant loved this program. The program was rewarding and gave the participant a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone should support this program. Sample statement about how much the participant loved this program. The program was rewarding and gave the participant a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone should support this program.”

Fellow 2, Grantee of American Stories

HOW TO APPLY

ELIGIBILITY

  • The North Star Fellowship is open to all filmmakers and media artists worldwide, regardless of nationality or citizenship status
  • We’re looking for artists developing projects across a range of disciplines or modes of documentary, including film, video installation, audio and photo-based work, immersive experiences, performance and others
  • The program is open to filmmakers from backgrounds that have been historically marginalized in the film industry by virtue of their ability, citizenship status, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation. 
  • Projects that focus on historically underrepresented communities must have a key creative in a decision-making role either from the community or with deep ties to the community

The 2023 North Star Fellowship will take place in person in Maine from September 10-17 (exact dates to be confirmed closer to the festival but please hold these dates for now) followed by virtual 1:1 industry meetings on 9/26 and 9/27.

If you have questions about the program or the application process, please contact [email protected]

NORTH STAR FELLOWS WILL RECEIVE

The North Star Fellowship includes the following support:

  • (1) Round-trip flight* to Camden, including ground transportation from Portland or Bangor
  • (1) All Access pass to the Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum
  • (7) nights of accommodations for one during the festival (exact dates will be confirmed closer to the festival but please hold aside 9/10-917 for now) 

Following the week in Maine, Fellows will have an opportunity to schedule online meetings with funders, distributors, and other industry decision-makers. In 2021, these meetings included representatives from Sundance, Firelight, Ford Foundation, Perspective Fund, Field of Vision, Black Star, XTR, Cinetic, POV, ITVS, NBC, Netflix, Hulu, NEON, and dozens of other major platforms.

Note: The North Star Fellowship can only support one person per project and is intended to foster a space for individual artists as much as their projects.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN!

DEADLINE May 8, 2023 @ 11:59 p.m. eastern

LIVE INFO SESSION + Q&A

Curious to learn more about the fellowships we offer at Points North? Not sure if you’re eligible to apply, what kind of work we’re seeking, what time spent on the ground will be like? Register for our Artist Programs Info Session, on April 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. EST! We’ll be gathering virtually to discuss our 2023 Artist Programs offerings – the Points North Fellowship, North Star Fellowship, and LEF/CIFF Fellowship – and answer questions for interested applicants.

Please reach out to [email protected] with the subject line “INFO SESSION” with any questions.

HOW TO APPLY

ELIGIBILITY

CONTENT   We’re looking for documentary filmmakers working on stories that are tapping into narratives or themes that explore “American Stories” in a myriad of ways. (The stories don’t need to be developed or filmed entirely in the US) 

LENGTH   Feature films with an intended runtime of 70 minutes or more

STAGE   Films in production and post-production

MAKEUP OF TEAM   We’re looking to support directors and producers from communities and backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in documentary film

SUBMISSIONS OPEN

DEADLINE May 16 @ 11:59pm

2023 FELLOWS

mother, you have not died yet. but you will. and when you do, you will finally be alive again.
"Sol y Mar"
Sweet Home
Artificial Clouds

MENTORS

ALUMNI

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Presenting Partner