Open Call
Get funding and support to complete your single nonfiction program for broadcast on public television—whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or a veteran producer.
- Reopens Winter 2024
The Application Process
Overview
We’re looking for exceptional storytelling that’s in line with our mission: stories that take risks, tackle important issues, address the needs of underserved audiences, and are seldom seen in public media. We know how hard you’ve worked on your project, and we’ll partner with you to help you finish it, then distribute it on public television.
Open Call gives independent producers up to $350,000 to complete production for a standalone broadcast length documentary to air on public television. The documentary can be on any subject, viewpoint or style as long as it is in active production already, as evidenced via a ten to fifteen minute work in progress sample. For pre-production nonfiction projects, see Diversity Development Fund or Short-Form Open Call.
Open Call is not a grant. You will receive funding in the form of a co-production agreement that assigns ITVS certain broadcast and streaming rights to your project during the term of the contract.
Be sure to allow sufficient time (2-4 weeks) to complete the application. ITVS has adopted the Non-Fiction Core standards as a foundation for our funding applications. Much of the Open Call application has been aligned with this model, however, there is additional production detail required to complete the application as ITVS funds documentaries for public television.
Since 1991, we’ve funded over 500 Open Call programs, including:
Who We Fund
Open Call supports:
Single, non-fiction projects of standard broadcast length (30, 60, or 90 minutes) that aren’t intended solely for theatrical or SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) release. We do not accept live-action drama or fiction.
Broadcast distribution for feature length programs on public television are very limited. ITVS may require you to deliver a one-hour version of your program.
Works in progress.
What to Expect
Review Process
After you submit your application, you will receive notification of your status within 16-20 weeks. If you are among a small group of finalists who advance through a series of peer reviews, you will be asked to submit additional materials for a feasibility review.
Decisions are final and may not be appealed. However, unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply again in the future. Reviewer feedback will only be provided to those applicants that make it to panel review or, based on staff capacity, for those applicants from Phase One.
Production and Distribution
ITVS doesn’t just fund your film. We provide you with creative development and feedback, and, depending on the broadcast outlet, with marketing, publicity, and audience engagement services. You own copyright and maintain full editorial, creative, and financial control.
Funded projects will be expected to acknowledge the production support from ITVS in all program and publicity materials; cooperate with ITVS’ publicity protocols; provide timely information to ITVS about project activities, including notification of and request for approval of any major changes to the project; and submit contract deliverables, including final financial reporting at the conclusion of the project. Failure to submit the final financials will preclude applicants from eligibility to apply for future funding.
When your program is at or near completion, we offer it to and work closely with public television programmers across the U.S. to secure a sublicense of public television broadcast rights and ensure the broadcast of your program. ITVS will enter into a license agreement for exclusive domestic television rights.
Most ITVS-funded programs air on PBS series such as Independent Lens, POV, American Masters, FRONTLINE, and America ReFramed. Our programs also have success in the festival, educational video, home video, SVOD and foreign broadcast markets.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you are:
The owner of the copyright of your production and maintain editorial control of the story. If more than one applicant is included on the application, both applicants must be copyright owners.
Not employed full-time as a producer or director by a broadcast entity or film studio.
Someone with previous film or television production experience in a principal role: director, producer or first-time filmmakers with an experienced producer attached to the project.
Graduate thesis are eligible as previously completed work. Undergraduate student work will not be reviewed
Applying to only this ITVS funding initiative at this time – we won’t review projects already under consideration for other ITVS funding.
A citizen or legal resident of the U.S. or its external territories age 18 or older.
Individuals can only submit one application per round, as either an applicant or a second applicant. However, an applicant can be a member of the key creative personnel on multiple projects.
Seeking funding for only production activities that support the completion and delivery of a program for broadcast.
Submitting a project that is in production or post-production. Projects that are early in production may not be as competitive unless you have demonstrated access, strong storytelling in your treatment and work sample, and an urgency to the story.
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
Currently enrolled student.
Current signatories of any ITVS production contracts who have not yet completed delivery.
Producers representing foreign-based production entities.
Persons employed full-time as producers/directors by a public or commercial broadcast entity, including public access stations.
Organizations including universities, foundations, and nonprofit organizations.
Your project is too advanced (e.g. at fine cut or festival submission cut).
Programs that have been previously broadcast, or distributed publicly (including theatrical, festivals, educational, community screenings or online platforms).
Former employees who have worked for ITVS within the past 12 months.
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