Writer/Director Chris Jones Receives 2025 NPN Creation Fund Award for Norma
December 20, 2024 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The National Performance Network (NPN) has selected filmmaker Chris Jones as a recipient of the 2025 Creation Fund Award, granting $16,000 to support the development of his debut feature film Norma. This year’s Creation Fund invests $398,000 in new commissions and leverages an additional $1.55 million to support 21 groundbreaking artistic works across the country.
NPN’s Creation Fund champions early-stage projects that explore themes of identity, resilience, justice, and community, while forging meaningful connections between artists and audiences. With this award, Jones joins a distinguished group of artists pushing the boundaries of theater, dance, music, and film.
Co-commissioned by The Myrna Loy in Helena, Montana and the Ashé Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans, Norma is one of the selected projects to receive this early-stage funding. The Creation Fund emphasizes building strong connections among artists, presenters, and communities as they embark on ambitious new creative journeys.
Norma tells the story of a guarded, aging blues singer struggling to revive her career in a racially divided industry. With the help of a young and idealistic writer, she finds the courage to challenge the status quo and reclaim her rightful place in music history. Both a deeply personal drama and a tribute to Louisiana’s musical legacy, the film celebrates the juke joints, tent shows, and chitlin’ circuit that shaped jazz and blues, honoring the artists who endured systemic barriers while inspiring generations.
“I’ve been writing Norma since 2019, pouring years of work into bringing this story to life,” said Jones. “Receiving the NPN Creation Fund is not only a profound honor, but also a crucial step toward realizing a film that uplifts the resilience, artistry, and cultural power of Black musicians whose voices defined history.”
Jones, an award-winning filmmaker and recipient of the NPN Take Notice Fund, is developing Norma as his feature film directorial debut. His work has been recognized by the New Orleans Film Society Emerging Voices Program and supported by organizations dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in the arts. On board as producers are Taylor Cooper and Matthew Garth, a longtime collaborating duo helping to bring this project life.
The NPN Creation Fund Award marks the next chapter in Norma’s journey, providing critical support for its early development phase and strengthening partnerships that will carry the film from script to screen.
For more information about Norma, visit www.chrisjonesworld.com or contact normamovie@gmail.com.
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