Up to $1,500 for Indigenous filmmakers creating stories in the Four Corners region.

Applications for 2026 are CLOSED

Want to support the next Indigenous filmmaker?

In 2023, The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival launched our Indigenous Filmmaker Grant program for up-and-coming Indigenous filmmakers, directors, and storytellers to support their creative talents through film. In 2026, we are expanding this grant opportunity to all Indigenous filmmakers who can demonstrate residence in the four corners region (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado & Utah) to be used towards the creation, or completion of a new film project. Examples of how these funds could be used include script writing/storyboarding, sound design, color correction, music licensing, animation, transcription, etc. Each grant awarded will have a maximum value of $1,500.

Criteria

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Available only to Indigenous Applicants who reside in the 4-Corner Region of the United States. (Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, etc. who reside in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado or Utah)
• Funds must be applied toward the creation of film.
• Film must be made available for screening, in whole, or in part, as part of the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival when appropriate.

Expectations

• Provide quarterly updates to the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival committee
• Submit final film product to the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival
• Include Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival in film credits. 
• Jury committee members are available to offer guidance and mentorship as needed 

What the grant can fund

Examples include:

• Scriptwriting and storyboarding
• Sound design
• Color correction
• Music licensing
• Animation
• Transcription
• Other film creation or completion expenses

Each award can be worth up to $1,500.

Grant Timeline (Dates are subject to change)

• Open application: August 15, 2026
• Deadline to submit: Sept 15, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: October 15, 2026 
• First round of funds released November 1, 2026

IFG Funds are made available through the generous support of our donors and sponsors. Their support ensures that the next generation of storytellers have access to the funding necessary to complete important work. For questions, reach out to us at: grants@flagstaffmountainfilms.org.

To provide a cultural alternative to mainstream commercial film experience, and to celebrate, promote, nurture and teach non-fiction filmmaking. The festival seeks to provide a window to the world and screen films that inspire change.

Thank you to the Arizona Community Foundation, Mountain Sports, and funds raised during the 2023 Indigenous Voices session at the 21st Annual Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, we were able to offer our first Indigenous Filmmaker grant in 2024. With continued support from our community, we’re now able to make this an annual grant opportunity, and look forward to supporting a new generation of storytellers.