We’re a Duluth-based group of artists producing a cinematic anthology series based on Bodhi Werner’s novel NØRTH PØRT 1999 (which itself is the first in a series). NØRTH PØRT 1999 is set in a fictional version of 90s Duluth. The story is like the small-town murder mystery of Twin Peaks, but with monsters, cyborgs, and mad scientists.

Each episode of the anthology series is a short film following different characters from the novel— Think X-Files meets Black Mirror.

Mandy June Turpin (a Duluth Film Industry Luminary) suggested the idea of this anthology series- and we’ve run with it.

We have 6 episodes planned. We’ve produced ep 1 (which screened at Zeitgeist’s Minnesota Film Fest 2025 and won the Innovative Horror Award at Trapped Film Fest 2024). Episode 2, GIRL SCOUT & TOMBOY, is in post-production (and won the 1st Place Prize at the MFF Short Film Pitch Competition.) Ep 3 & 4 will shoot in 2026. The famous indigenous actor Kelly William (Netflix’s North of North) is interested in playing a leading roll in Ep 4.

Our Missions

1) Tell stories with a positive impact, in a compelling, unique, and authentic way.

2) Grow the local film industry and bring recognition to this beautiful region and its people.

Our Team

We’re grateful to have a diverse team of talented regional individuals, including individuals from underrepresented communities (BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, Neurdiverse, Women, 55+). The group is led by a mother-son duo, award-winning filmmaker and writer Bodhi Werner and multi-disciplinary artist and author Clare Cooley.

Our team consists of board members, advisors, mentors, donors, and staff. Other team members include: Jessica Hayes, Sue Spencer, John Bickford, Brian White, Grace Koppen, Andrew Macht, Seth Marshall, Sebastian Gorham, Dino Terzic, Kiki Watts, Sumner Matteson, Miguel Zevallos and more.

Commitment to Indigenous Representation

Our work is rooted in Northern Minnesota, a region with a rich and active Indigenous community. We are committed to collaborating with Indigenous artists, performers, and cultural leaders to ensure authentic and respectful storytelling.

Episode 2 (Girl Scout & Tomboy) features Indigenous talent both in front of and behind the camera, including lead actress Jagger Ripley-Jaakola (Arikara Tribe, Fond du Lac Reservation). Our production also included Indigenous cultural consultants and collaborators across crew and post-production roles.

Through our partnership with the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College internship program, we provided mentorship opportunities for Indigenous students, supporting the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers.

As the series continues, we are committed to building ongoing relationships with Indigenous creatives and ensuring meaningful representation both on screen and within our production process.

Our Vision for 2026 and beyond

We’ll produce at least 2 episodes of the North Port Episodic series in 2026 (Episodes 3 & 4) — all shot in Saint Louis County, featuring regional cast/crew. We will host table reads/screenings/premieres/Q&As at Zeitgeist (our fiscal sponsor), for each episode we produce. Additionally, we’ll provide mentorship opportunities to aspiring filmmakers. For Ep 2, we mentored students from the Zeitgeist On-set Mentorship program and the Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College paid internship program. We intend to increase the number of mentees/trainees/interns with every episode we produce. Other programming throughout the year will include volunteering to go into the schools, and other community and doing presentations & screenings. In 2027, we will produce at least two more episodes and provide mentorship opportunities and community events.