Governor Burgum August 30th, 2023

Office of the Governor

North Dakota State Capitol
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505

Governor Burgum,

We, the undersigned group of North Dakota video producers, write to express our
concern and seek answers regarding the 2021 and 2023 Motion Picture Production and
Recruitment grants administered by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.

Over the past two years, one video production company, Canticle Productions, has been awarded
$700,000 of film grants through the ND Department of Commerce.

No competitive bids were accepted and no public announcement was made by the ND
Department of Commerce when Canticle Productions was awarded the 2021 Motion Picture
Production and Recruitment grant for $100,000.

This July, competitive bids were only accepted for ten days after the ND Department of
Commerce announced the 2023 Motion Picture Production and Recruitment grant for $600,000.

For context, a $25,000 film grant administered by the ND Department of Commerce in 2020
consisted of two rounds of submissions with the first round open for 50 days followed by a
finalist round 25 days later.

By announcing the 2023 grant late Friday, the Department of Commerce gave applicants just six
business days to learn about the grant, ask questions and submit an application for funds
available until June 30th, 2025.

Within 48 hours after the 2023 grant’s announcement, Canticle Productions submitted an
application to produce two feature-length films for 100% of the $600,000 available.

The 2-page application by Canticle Productions lacked essential details that are customary for
most film grant applications such as a company address, project budget, timeline, cast, crew and
script.

Canticle Productions’ application was also the only application of the four submitted to make a
request about grant payment: “If awarded the grant, we would request that payment be made to
Canticle Productions through our non-profit arm, Grain of Wheat Productions.”
We are left with several questions:

● Why was the $100,000 film grant awarded non-competitively in 2021?

● Why didn’t the ND Department of Commerce issue any public announcements about the
2021 film grant awarded to Canticle Productions?
● Why did the ND Department of Commerce spend 75 days to award a $25,000 film grant
in 2020 but only 10 days to award a $600,000 film grant in 2023?
● Was Canticle Productions given preferred treatment and/or made aware of the 2023
application prior to the grant announcement?
● Was any of the $600,000 awarded to the for-profit Canticle Productions paid to the
non-profit Grain of Wheat Productions as requested?
● What actions will be taken by the ND Department of Commerce if determined these
grants were not properly advertised and/or administered?

We strongly believe in the potential of these Motion Picture Production and Recruitment grants
to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth and cultural landscape of North Dakota.

However, to foster a transparent and equitable grant allocation process, we request you address
these concerns. Thank you for your consideration and we hope for a positive resolution that
benefits all video producers across North Dakota.

Signed,

Matt Fern Justin Deegan Sean Coffman

Prairieland Motion Pictures Thunder Revolution Studio Independent Producer

Christine Morse Easton Bennett Ethan Lohnes

Make a Difference Pictures Bennett Creative Media Tiwahe Media

Oscar De Leon Kevin Ackley Gina Footh

Chamber Six Media Chamber Six Media Lostwood Media LLC

Wayne Footh Cole Gendreau Duncan Williamson

Lostwood Media LLC Stand Firm Productions Tellwell Story Co.

Caleb Hauff Keenan Hauff Zach Wentz

Threefold Threefold Threefold

Danielle Molinaro Adam J. Kempenich Connor Hellman

Threefold Threefold, Kempix Hellman Media
Nolan Johnson Benjamin Weisbeck Jason Allen
Quantum Digital BWeis Media, Stand Firm Prod. Independent Producer

Jonah J Lantto Paul Hoplin Adam Dyess

The Good Talk Network Twin Tandem Dyess Media, LLC

Derek Olson
Independent Producer