Minneapolis Creative Sustainability Summit

Join Seed&Spark and FilmNorth for the Minneapolis Creative Sustainability Summit!

Join us for an exciting FREE one-day educational event focused on bringing the local independent film community together and thriving as a storyteller living in the Midwest.

Network with fellow filmmakers, attend workshops and panels, and have fun at the 2025 Minneapolis Creative Sustainability Summit. This in-person event will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 825 Arts in St. Paul, MN, with a mixer to follow at FilmNorth.

Don't miss this chance to connect with industry professionals and advance your craft. We'll see you there!

About the Organizers:

mission is to empower artists to tell their stories, launch and sustain successful careers, and advance The North as a leader in the national network of independent filmmakers. We achieve our mission by nurturing a vibrant, diverse community of film and media artists; providing education and resources at every stage of their careers; and celebrating their achievements.

is the most successful crowdfunding platform for independent filmmaking in the world. Since its inception in 2012, it has helped filmmakers raise more than $50 million to make thousands of movies and shows. Seed&Spark shifts power to communities, making it possible for creators everywhere to make their work sustainably, while accelerating and amplifying its impact, wi

Info: Check in early, grab a good seat, and get ready for a day of fun and learning!

Info: Our cornerstone class lays out the steps toward a successful crowdfunding campaign, as well as a career-long action plan most likely to create a lasting, flourishing, direct relationship with an audience. Attendees learn how to find your audience, structure your crowdfunding campaign, pick the right goal and incentives, and much more.

Info: A conversation on how to make the most of current opportunities in the industry. Moderator: Sav Rodgers (Film Director). Panelists: Andrew Peterson (Executive Director, FilmNorth), Matthew Berg (Executive Director, Flip The Script), Nell Lawrenz-Wareham (Executive Director, Explore Minnesota Film), Vera Bianchini (MN Film Festival & MN Media Arts Education Director, Zeitgeist).

Info: Lunch is not provided by the Creative Sustainability Summit organizers. Please plan ahead to bring lunch from home, order lunch, or go out to eat.

Info: This workshop will connect what you really want to do with your career ー that big, hairy, audacious goal ー with how to prepare to pitch to the different audiences you will need along the way. Knowing how to convey the specifics about your creative project/idea/company in a dynamic, succinct way can land you not only investors, but also collaborators, audience members, and more. Skills learned in this workshop include: crafting your story, preparing for (and excelling in) a pitch meeting, adapting a pitch to different audiences, and then following upー setting your work up for success.

Info: A panel celebrating fostering a local, sustainable artistic practice by leaning into your local community. Moderator: Sav Rodgers (Film Director). Speakers: Michael Starrbury (Screenwriter & Producer), Brennan Vance (Video Consortium), Bhavana Goparaju (Documentary Filmmaker).

Info: Attendees will leave 825 Arts and head to FilmNorth for this exciting opportunity to connect with your fellow artists! 2441 University Ave W Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55114

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

825 Arts, 825 University Avenue West, Saint Paul, United States