Advertise on podcast: Film North Dakota Podcast

What does it take to work on blockbuster films like Batman Begins and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—and why would someone leave London's visual effects industry for North Dakota?In this episode, Matt Fern sits down with Birdtree Studio co-owner and Director of Animation Edward Sargeant to discuss his journey from England to North Dakota, his work in Hollywood visual effects, and what he learned from some of the world's biggest film productions.They also explore the launch of Birdtree Studio, why specialization is the key to world-class animation, and Edward's vision for creating opportunities so the next generation of North Dakota artists can build successful creative careers without leaving the state.

Fargo native Toby Jones has built a successful career in animation, working on acclaimed series including 'Regular Show', 'OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes', 'Jellystone!' and 'Shape Island'. Most recently, he returned to the world of 'Regular Show' as a supervising director on 'Regular Show: The Lost Tapes'. In this episode of the Film North Dakota Podcast, Toby talks about growing up making movies with friends in Fargo, studying filmmaking at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and continuing to create after graduating during the 2009 recession. He also explains why he keeps returning to North Dakota to make independent films, including the Fargo-made absurdist comedy 'AJ Goes to the Dog Park'. Toby shares an early look at his next feature, currently titled 'God Save the Queen', a hybrid narrative and documentary project inspired by a screenplay his friend wrote when he was 15. The conversation also explores self-financing, finding your creative voice, the differences between animation and live-action production, returning to 'Regular Show' and why filmmakers shouldn’t wait for permission to begin making their work.

Award-winning filmmaker Derek Fletcher joins the Film North Dakota Podcast to discuss building a career telling compelling stories from right here in North Dakota.  He shares the making of his latest true-crime documentary, Call Me Shelly, his collaboration with Dakota Spotlight, and lessons learned from projects including Grit and Grace, The House on Sweet and Seventh, and the Emmy-nominated Liquid Gold. Derek also opens up about balancing filmmaking with a full-time career and family, finding creative solutions on limited budgets, and why filmmakers must “allow yourself to be surprised” while shaping a story.

Film and media production in North Dakota is about more than making movies.In this episode of the Film North Dakota Podcast, we take a closer look at the newly released North Dakota Film & Media Industry Report 2026 and what 116 industry professionals told us about working in the state.The results show an experienced workforce producing advertising, social media, video, film and other content for businesses and organizations across North Dakota. But they also reveal a major challenge: too many of those professionals are leaving the state to find opportunities elsewhere.We break down some of the report's biggest findings, what they tell us about the industry today, and why growing film and media production is about more than movies — it's about creating jobs, supporting businesses and building opportunities for North Dakotans.To view the full North Dakota Film & Media Industry Report 2026, visit FilmNorthDakota.org.

For one week each summer, the North Dakota Badlands become a living movie set. On this episode of the Film North Dakota Podcast, Host Matt Fern sits down with actress, producer, and Echoes of the West co-founder Beth Hurt alongside Nick Schultz of Schultz Wrangling to discuss the unique event that's bringing photographers, painters, filmmakers, actors, horse wranglers, and Western history enthusiasts from across the country to North Dakota. They discuss how Echoes of the West was created, what goes into transforming the Badlands into authentic frontier scenes, and why preserving the history of the American West through visual storytelling matters.  Nick also shares how Schultz Wrangling became one of the region's premier providers of horses, livestock, stunt performers, and period equipment for film and television productions, while Beth explains how the event is creating opportunities for local actors, artists, and businesses. Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, painter, history buff, or simply love the Badlands, this episode offers an inspiring look at how North Dakotans are creating new opportunities by celebrating the stories of the American frontier. Podcast listeners can also save $300 on registration by entering the code "Film North Dakota" in the comments section when registering for Echoes of the West. Learn more about Film North Dakota at FilmNorthDakota.com and discover Echoes of the West at EchoesoftheWest.com.

Filmmaker and musician Zeapoe Matalda joins the Film North Dakota Podcast to talk about creating Pretty The Musical — an ambitious action-comedy musical short film produced in the Fargo-Moorhead region.Originally from West Fargo and now studying computer science at NDSU, Zeapoe shares how music composition led into filmmaking during the pandemic and how collaboration, creativity, and community helped bring the project to life.From building a creative team in Fargo-Moorhead to producing ambitious indie films with limited resources, this conversation dives into the realities of making original films in the Midwest and why collaboration is everything.We also talk about Zeapoe’s upcoming project America’s Most Wanted, building community, and why now is such an exciting time for filmmaking in our region. Learn more at: https://www.xenafilms.netThis podcast is brought to you by Film North Dakota. Become a member or collaborate with us at www.FilmNorthDakota.com

Jessica Hayes joins the Film North Dakota Podcast to talk about making movies in Fargo, building creative momentum in the Midwest, and learning to trust herself as a filmmaker. Jessica shares how a background in acting eventually led her into casting, producing, and writing indie films being made right here in North Dakota.  From Pretty: The Musical to Roommate and Amal's Christmas Reunion, she talks about the grassroots collaboration behind independent filmmaking and the network of artists helping each other create opportunities in the region. Jessica also dives into the future of filmmaking in North Dakota, why smaller communities can be powerful production locations, and how local creators are proving you don’t need Hollywood to start making films.

Host and filmmaker Matt Fern sits down with returning guest and indie filmmaker Steven Gerald Warkel to talk about his new feature film Small Talk and the lessons he’s learned making low-budget movies in the Midwest. Steven shares how he built the film with a team of friends and collaborators, found music from indie artists, and navigated the creative challenges of making a feature with limited resources. Matt and Steven also discuss the Midwest film community, the collapse of Glasser Images, and why you don’t have to leave the region to make meaningful movies. Listen and subscribe on all major podcast platforms. Connect and watch more at FilmNorthDakota.com Keep making movies in North Dakota. 🎬

🎙️ The Film North Dakota Podcast is back! Welcome to the first episode of the newly rebooted podcast, with host and filmmaker Matt Fern sitting down with Scottie Knollin, co-founder of the North Dakota Film Society, to break down the 2026 NDFS Awards and what they reveal about this year’s Oscars race. Since their last conversation, the North Dakota Film Society has continued to grow  across the state and build a national reputation as North Dakota’s voice on film. From early recognition of some of the most celebrated films to a track record that often predicts the Academy Awards, NDFS has become a trusted voice during awards season. In this episode, Matt and Scottie explore what sets the NDFS Awards apart from other critics’ groups, why Sinners isn’t just a horror movie, which performances feel like locks heading into Oscar night, and how the North Dakota Film Society became part of Netflix history. This episode kicks off a new chapter for the Film North Dakota Podcast, spotlighting the people and movies shaping film culture across North Dakota and beyond. Listen and subscribe on all major podcast platforms. Connect and watch more at FilmNorthDakota.com Keep making movies in North Dakota.

Dan Bielinski (Canticle Productions) moved his family from New York to North Dakota to become Theatre Program Director at the University of Mary. Since arriving in Bismarck, Dan has also become a prolific writer, director and producer of plays, shorts and feature films that celebrate the history and culture of the Great Plains. This podcast is brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact. Connect with other Filmmakers in North Dakota and learn more at www.FilmND.org

On this week’s episode of the #FilmNorthDakotaPodcast, we interview Danielle Monzelowsky (Miss Dani Mo) and hear how she creates and stars in Miss Dani Mo, a popular children’s education series with videos across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. This podcast is brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact. Connect with other Filmmakers in North Dakota and learn more at www.FilmND.org

This week on the #FilmNorthDakotaPodcast, Jason Allen (Directors Guild of America) shares how the film industry has been transformed by the pandemic, why collaboration is key to filmmaking and what Hollywood can learn from North Dakota. This podcast is brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact. Connect with other Filmmakers in North Dakota and learn more at www.FilmND.org

Filmmaker and magician Nick MacArthur (Project Visual) shares how he started his film career shooting magic tricks on an iPhone, his advice to be successful in media and how being a magician influences his filmmaking. This podcast is brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact. Connect with other Filmmakers in North Dakota and learn more at www.FilmND.org

Since 2014, Kevin Ackley and Oscar De Leon (Chamber Six Media) have been producing films, commercials and music videos that have been shown around the world. This week on the #FilmNorthDakotaPodcast, Kevin and Oscar share how they fell in love with filmmaking, how North Dakota's film community has changed since they started and why they continue to tell stories in North Dakota. This podcast is brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact. Connect with other Filmmakers in North Dakota and learn more at www.FilmND.org

This week on the #FilmNorthDakotaPodcast, Chelsy Ciavarella & Gregory DeSaye (Her, Him & The Fellas) share how they started working together, what they love about filming in North Dakota and how they made and distributed their new award-winning documentary ‘Balkowitsch’. This podcast is brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact. Connect with other Filmmakers in North Dakota and learn more at www.FilmND.org