“commUNITY” is the theme of the eighth biennial Vision Maker Film Festival. This theme represents the citywide involvement with Vision Maker Media (VMM) to bring the latest and greatest Native American films to Lincoln, NE. *Only Indigenous films are eligible for this festival.

Dates and locations:
Wednesday, April 22 at the Lincoln Indian Center
Thursday, April 23 with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Marcus Edgewood Cinema
Friday, April 24 at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center (The Ross)
Saturday, April 25 at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln partnering with OutNebraska
Sunday, April 26 at First Plymouth Church
Monday, April 27 at the Center for People in Need
Tuesday, April 28 at Southeast Community College
Wednesday, April 29 at Lincoln High School (Hosted by: Lincoln Public Schools Indian Education)
Thursday, April 30 at Wesleyan University

It is common in many Native American Tribal cultures to honor the sacred number four: seasons, elements, directions and the stages of life. The 2020 Vision Maker Film Festival will honor the sacred number through four aspects of the weeklong Festival.

1. VMM will screen programming that showcases the best existing and emerging Indigenous media.
2. Native filmmakers and experts will interact with audiences.
3. Our partners citywide will share films and bring filmmakers of color to Lincoln.
4. Local Native youth will learn from professional documentary producers during workshops.

This Festival brings Native American storytelling and film to life. We will showcase more than 15 new films by diverse filmmakers. Stories of social justice, hope and overcoming adversity will be presented throughout this powerful event. Filmmakers will present and encourage dialogue to provide educational opportunities that benefit teachers, students and the public while providing an opportunity for communities to interact with inspirational Indigenous role models.

Rules & Terms

- Only Indigenous films are eligible for this festival.
- All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles.
- Filmmakers are responsible for sorting out the copyright on their own materials.
- By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience at any of the aforementioned locations.

Official Selection: Films selected for screening will be notified via email. If you received a Nomination email, but no Official Selection email, it means your film will not be screened.
- We may promote clips from your film on social media, based on the press kits you provide us with.
- We retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through our online platforms.
- We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has been made available online.
- Any technical issues with the submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, your video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English), it will be automatically rejected, without a refund. Please contact the festival team ASAP if there are any issues with the submission process, and a solution will be found.
- By submitting to us you agree to our terms and conditions and to receiving marketing newsletters in the form of emails. We will never sell your information to third parties.
- We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.