It appears the North Dakota Legislature intended two grants, called “Motion Picture Production and Recruitment” grants, be given to a Bismarck filmmaker.
During the 2021 Legislature a conference committee working on the budget for the state Commerce Department took $100,000 from tourism and created the first grant. A statement of purpose for that amendment said the one-time funding was to go directly to Canticle Productions. The company made the film “End of the Rope.”
In the 2023 Legislature, $600,000 was allocated to that grant. A footnote in the conference committee report on the Commerce budget said – quoting now – “Adds funding for a motion picture production and recruitment grant to be provided directly to Canticle Productions.”
A number of other North Dakota filmmakers have asked the Governor, Attorney General and state Procurement Officer to look into the situation. The other filmmakers say they could not apply for the 2021 grant – and the window created for the 2023 competitive grant was only six days. They said they have no problem with Canticle – but question the process.
NDPPR/KNOX
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