Independent Filmmaker Project Minnesota: Telling Stories Through Pictures Since 1987

Independent filmmakers enrich the universal language, seed the global culture with new ideas, kindle awareness and foster activism. IFP Minnesota helps them create stories and amplify their voice.

In the coming year our budget is stretched to meet increased demand for our work with young people, both in high schools and here at IFP headquarters after the school day ends.

It is also financially challenging to maintain sharp focus on professional programs for our emerging and advanced media artists--as we know we must.

Your donation–no matter the size–will have a significant impact. We truly appreciate you and your support of IFP MN.

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Mission and Programs

IFP Minnesota exists to provide accessible and affordable programs for media artists and audiences. For 25 years we have been constant and true to our mission: to advance a vibrant and diverse community of independent film and media artists.

Through our workshops, conferences, seminars, mentorships and grants, IFP MN provides the resources media artists need to master the art, technology and business of independent media.

We’re proud of our track record of providing programs and services for the media arts community, and excited about continuing our work in the years to come. Ongoing priorities for the future include partnerships with public schools and our essential programs for media makers of all levels.

As IFP steps into the next stage of our life cycle, we are confident that we will continue to serve all ages and skill levels of the media artist community in a meaningful way—with your help.

25 Years of Accomplishment

• $2.4 million in grants, license fees and fellowships to individual artists since 1995.
• 12,500 artists and students in classes, workshops and conferences since 2005.
• Over 4000 high school students taught video production in high school residencies and IFP MN’s afterschool program since 2006.
• 350 photographers in exhibitions at IFP MN’s Photography Gallery
• 1000 advance level filmmakers participated in professional development workshops, directors’ roundtables and case studies since 2009.
• Hundreds of films and thousands of photographs have been created using IFP MN’s equipment, computer lab and darkrooms.
• Numerous community groups have used IFP MN’s Center for Media Arts for meetings and activities, and dozens of partnerships have been formed with IFP to create local and national opportunities for artists.
• Over 1 million people have experienced new work through IFP screenings, broadcasts on TPT, SPNN and MTN, and photography openings.
• Independent media artists have raised $1.5 million in production funding through IFP’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program in the past 4 years!
• IFP MN staff met one-on-one with 325 IFP Members in 2011 and consulted on careers, fundraising, production, grant programs, film festivals, marketing and distribution.

IFP's programs and service include:

• Classes on filmmaking, photography, and creative software programs.
• Premiere classroom space equipped with digital projection and state-of-the-art sound
• Access to a center with knowledgeable staff and equipment and facilities
• A network of 500 local members of photographers and filmmakers
• Re-granting programs that provide $125,000 annually to filmmakers and screenwriters
• State-of-the-art darkrooms
• The Youth Media Department, a program that partners with public schools during the academic year and an afterschool program.
• Comfortable meeting rooms, providing groups of 10 to 12 with a private space for critiques and discussions
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IFP Minnesota is part of a larger, national collaborative of IFP chapters across the country serving independent media artists in their local communities. IFP chapters can be found in New York, Chicago, Phoenix and Seattle.