Tips & Tools for Open Call Applications
In response to the growing demand for submission resources, the ITVS Programming Department hosted two informational webinars for filmmakers submitting for Open Call funding.
Throughout the year, hopeful applicants have a tendency to bombard the ITVS Programming Department with questions regarding their submissions to various funding initiatives. This year, Programming Manager N’Jeri Eaton hosted two webinars offering insight on the process and firsthand advice for filmmakers for their treatments and work samples. The first webinar was devoted to the art of treatment writing, where Eaton was joined by ITVS-funded filmmakers Christine Turner (Homegoings) and Llew Smith (Denial: An American Dilemma). The filmmakers shared excerpts from their treatments and answered questions from the webinar participants. You can watch the full webinar below:
Next, ITVS hosted an OVEE screening featuring three 10-minute work samples that had been recently funded by ITVS: Samantha Grant's A Fragile Trust, Juli Vizza's Nine to Ninety, and Jamie Meltzer's Freedom Fighters. Due to clearance rights issues, we are unable to post the work samples, but you can read a transcript of the informative chat here. And, as an extra bonus, we have a revised edition of our guide to Writing an ITVS Treatment.
If you enjoyed the transcript, be sure to check out our previous blog posts on creating work samples:
What Makes a Good Work-in-Progress? Part 1: Early Production
What Makes a Good Work-in-Progress? Part 2: The Veteran Filmmaker
What Makes a Good Work-in-Progress? Part 3: Late Production
While ITVS is unable to send treatment or work-in-progress samples, we hope that you will find these resources helpful as you are putting together your application.
Topics
From our blog
-
ITVS Responds to Rescission Vote
July 18, 2025[July 18, 2025] Carrie Lozano, President and CEO of the Independent Television Service (ITVS), issued the following statement in response to Congress' vote clawing back congressional approved funding for public media.Congress’ decision to pass the rescission package that removes the $1.1B of previously approved federal funds for the Corporation of…
-
Protecting Our Future and Charting the Course Ahead
June 4, 2025We are sharing the sad and difficult news that ITVS is reducing its staff by 13 individuals across the organization. For a staff so committed to our mission and to each other, this 20% staff reduction is a painful moment. Our dedicated staff have made important contributions that are part of ITVS' legacy and success story. In the past few months, ITVS has…
-
ITVS Documentary "Greener Pastures" Honored by the Television Academy
May 1, 2025The Television Academy announced that the ITVS-supported, Independent Lens documentary Greener Pastures will be celebrated at the 18th Television Academy Honors. Established in 2008, the Television Academy Honors Award recognizes “Television with a Conscience” and seeks to celebrate programs that inspire, motivate, and harness the power of…