(Photo: Give MN)
Duluth, MN — January 2026
Bodhi Werner, an award-winning independent filmmaker and author from Duluth, Minnesota, is rapidly gaining attention with a growing slate of cinematic projects rooted in his original science-fiction/horror world and supported by community collaboration and mentorship programs.
Werner’s creative engine revolves around NØRTH PØRT 1999, a novel set in a fictional 1990s version of Duluth that blends elements of small-town mystery, horror, and speculative science fiction — think Twin Peaks meets X-Files. This story world is now expanding into an episodic anthology series on screen.
From Page to Screen: The North Port Episodic Series
A fundraiser on GiveMN highlights the ambition behind Werner’s project: a six-episode anthology series adapted from NØRTH PØRT 1999, produced with the support of the Zeitgeist Center for Arts & Community and a growing regional cast and crew.
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Episode 1 of the series screened at the Minnesota Film Festival 2025 and won the Innovative Horror Award at the Trapped Film Fest 2024, marking an early milestone in Werner’s evolving filmography.
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Episode 2, titled GIRL SCOUT & TOMBOY, was just awarded first place in the 2025 Minnesota Film Festival Short Film Pitch Competition and is currently in post-production — a significant creative and competitive achievement for Werner and his collaborators.
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Episode 3 is scheduled to begin shooting in late winter 2026, with a well-known Indigenous actor attached to play the lead, signaling increasing profile and professional momentum.
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Episode 4 is planned for mid-2026, with further episodes to follow as part of the overarching story arc.
The North Port series is structured so that each short film focuses on different characters and threads from Werner’s richly imagined universe, blending genre suspense, horror, sci-fi elements, and character-driven narratives.
Community, Mentorship, and Representation
A central theme in Werner’s work is community involvement. The GiveMN fundraiser page notes that Werner and his collaborators have prioritized local and regional talent across cast and crew, including paid internships and mentorship opportunities with Indigenous and underrepresented artists — such as students from the Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College.
The team is led jointly by Werner and multidisciplinary artist Clare Cooley, with a stated mission of building a thriving independent film ecosystem in the Duluth region through creative collaboration, training, and inclusion.
GIRL SCOUT & TOMBOY: A Key Story in the Series
GIRL SCOUT & TOMBOY, the second episode of the anthology, has generated particular buzz. The project:
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Won the first-place prize in the Minnesota Film Festival Short Film Pitch Competition.
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Is based on characters from NØRTH PØRT 1999 and is shaped as a horror-thriller short film shooting in Duluth’s woods during peak fall colors.
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Recently opened auditions and has called for both local actors and crew, with plans to shoot over 3–5 days in late September or early October.
In addition to film, Werner offers fans access to extended story material — including parts of the NØRTH PØRT 1999 manuscript — through his Patreon community, where supporters can preview scripts, pitch videos, and behind-the-scenes updates.
A Growing Creative Footprint
Werner’s trajectory reflects the evolving landscape of independent film in the Upper Midwest — one where local stories, community engagement, and genre experimentation are carving out space on the festival circuit and beyond. With multiple episodes slated for production through 2026 and an expanding universe of characters and themes, Bodhi Werner is positioning himself as a uniquely ambitious voice working at the intersection of literature and independent cinema.