The application review process and timeline
International Call applications are reviewed in a three-phase review process by ITVS staff and industry peers using a specific set of criteria. Our peer reviewers are distinguished industry professionals such as filmmakers, commissioning editors, and funders from around the world. In the first two phases of the review process, ITVS staff and peer reviewers evaluate application materials. The eight to 10 percent are invited to the final panel, which requires more detailed information about the program. A final peer review panel will make recommendations for funding. The call is extremely competitive as we are only able to fund between one and two percent of the International Call applicants.
The application review process can take up to approximately 4 months.
Timetable for International Call:
- After the submission deadline, all applicants receive notification of receipt by email within two weeks.
- After the internal review, a smaller group of projects is evaluated by external readers made up of filmmakers and professional peers.
- A small group of finalists is given the opportunity to submit an updated work-in-progress video and are asked to submit additional budget and production information with a narrative update.
- Applicants will receive final decisions by March 30, 2012
Program funding selection
Programs are selected and funded through a license fee for public television or cable broadcast. The detailed ITVS guidelines for funding explain the process and criteria for program selection. Decisions are based on the merits of a proposed project and at the discretion of ITVS professional staff and peer panels. Decisions on program selection are made solely by ITVS, which is an independent nonprofit corporation and not within the control of any other public or private entity.
Production and distribution for ITVS funded programs
International Call is not a grant. Selected projects will receive funding once a production license agreement is executed. This is a contract that assigns ITVS International exclusive broadcast rights in the United States. Depending on the individual contract, ITVS International may participate in revenue sharing in all versions of the production. Please read the production license agreement note.
Here are some additional things to know about working with ITVS if your program is funded through
International Call:
Timeline
- For International Call, producers have one year from contract to produce and complete the program.
Content and control
- The program does not need to be filmed in English; in fact, we prefer the original language with subtitles and will use these versions wherever possible.
- The producer has creative and financial control of the project and will own the copyright. ITVS International will consult with the producer regarding creative, editorial, and financial matters throughout the production and the completion of the program.
- ITVS International will require input into the editing and presentation of the program to meet U.S. broadcast standards and regulations, but also to attract and be relevant for a U.S. audience.
- ITVS reserves the right to make changes to and reformat the program for the purpose of delivering to a U.S. broadcast outlet. This may include but is not limited to, subtitling, narration, editing for time, and to fit the technical and format requirements of the broadcaster.
- ITVS International will receive co-production credits on all International Call programs, including an executive producer credit.
Distribution
- ITVS participates in revenue sharing of the net profits from your program from all distribution, on all versions worldwide. The revenue sharing is a percentage based on the amount of ITVS’s budget contribution.
- ITVS International works with PBS and more than 350 U.S. public television stations, along with other U.S. television and cable broadcasters, to secure the best possible broadcast and widest audience for each program.
- Distribution options for each program will depend on the interest of our partners in public television and cable, the program’s content and other factors. ITVS International may also seek multiplatform distribution venues such as podcasts or video-on-demand for these projects. We currently have a 100 percent placement rate.
- Projects with international distribution partners attached will be considered as long as exclusive U.S. broadcast rights are still available.
Financial reporting
- ITVS requires periodic financial reporting, and it must be able to withstand an audit. Each year ITVS randomly selects a number of projects for auditing. Every funded producer is assigned a member of the production staff who works with them to review financial and narrative reports and other deliverables. The production department representative will also be in dialogue about the program and its progress.
