1.27.26 Robert Ndondo-Lay

Robert Ndondo-Lay

Robert Blair Ndondo-Lay is a Minneapolis-based filmmaker, educator, and program administrator at FilmNorth. In addition to facilitating FilmNorth’s outreach and professional development efforts—engaging education and industry partners, media artists, and students — he administers the McKnight Media Artist Fellowship Program, which supports independent media artists living and working in Minnesota. Four fellowships of $25,000 are awarded every year. These fellowships are unrestricted (not project based) and, in addition to the funding, they offer recognition and educational opportunities. These fellowships are for filmmakers; writers and directors in film, television, and streaming; interactive and virtual reality creative artists; and other media artists (including but not limited to radio, podcasters, narrative-based storytellers) who are beyond emerging and have a history of sustained work (not for beginning artists).

Robert’s professional background includes contributions to prominent film and television organizations such as Verve Talent & Literary Agency, Imagine Entertainment, IMAX, and Fox Searchlight Pictures. Since joining FilmNorth in 2023, Robert has developed and managed more than a dozen programs that support filmmakers at every stage—from emerging voices to established artists. His work includes workforce training, fellowships, youth media education, and industry mentorship, all aimed at expanding access for underrepresented artists and strengthening the region’s creative ecosystem.

Applications for the McKnight Media Artist Fellowships open this year on February 2 and the deadline to apply is March 23. https://filmnorth.org/filmmaker-support/mcknight/

Robert is open to offering feedback and other assistance for fellowship applicants. Listen to hear more of the fellowships, information about the application process, and much more!