Dawn Mikkelson Pro

Mikkelson is a national leader in public media and independent film. Alumna of the Public Media Women in Leadership Mentorship Program, she has served as Executive Producer, Director, and Producer for TPT (Twin Cities PBS), PBS North, and Independent Documentary productions which have broadcast on global television networks such as PBS, CBC, and Deutsche Welle, screened at dozens of top international film festival including: DOC NYC, Doc Edge, Mill Valley Film Festival, Cinequest, and Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, and streamed on Amazon, tubi, AppleTV+, Google Play, YouTube. Her work with PBS has garnered 2 Emmy Awards and 1 Governors Award from the Upper Midwest Regional Emmys. 

2023/2024 American Film Diplomacy Program (US State Department & USC School of Cinematic Arts) Envoy and finalist of the Project Greenlight Digital Studios and Seed&Spark Untold Story Crowdfunding Rally, Mikkelson has Produced/Directed seven award-winning independent feature documentaries, MINNESOTA MEAN (2023), FINDING HER BEAT (2022), RISKING LIGHT (2018), THE RED TAIL (2009), GREEN GREEN WATER (2007), THIS OBEDIENCE (2003), and TREADING WATER: A DOCUMENTARY (1999), character-driven films highlighting power and joy in the margins, as well as branded content for Nonprofit, NGO, and Governmental partners including the European Union, the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, and the Center for Victims of Torture. 

Based in Lake City, Minnesota, Mikkelson is a proud Board Member of the DPA (Documentary Producers Alliance), as well as an active member of their Ethics Working Group. As a queer mother of two, Mikkelson is committed to amplifying our shared humanity through storytelling.