Independent Lens Production Call

Known for human-centered storytelling that inspires empathy, reflection, and meaningful conversation, the Independent Lens Production Call seeks projects that carry this tradition forward. Projects best suited for the series will center on compelling personal experiences, offer fresh perspectives, and connect individual stories to larger ideas about our world—helping audiences deepen their understanding of themselves and others.

ITVS defines a standalone feature documentary as a single, feature-length film of 60 or 90 minutes that is not intended to be a series or episodic piece.

We provide up to $200,000 in completion funding per project. ITVS funding is not a grant; it is a co-production agreement for the public media version of your documentary.

The selection process is highly competitive. Historically, ITVS funds approximately the top 5% of applications received.

If your film is not selected for distribution on Independent Lens, ITVS will collaborate with your producing team to explore alternative avenues within public media.

Yes. While we strive to ensure that itvs.org and our application portal are fully accessible, limitations may occur. Please reach out to funding@itvs.org for any accessibility support during the application process.

The applicant must be the principal of the business entity. They must maintain at least 50% of the copyright and have majority business and artistic control of the project throughout the production.

No, there is no submission fee required for any ITVS funding initiative.

To avoid conflicts of interest, former ITVS employees must observe a mandatory 12-month waiting period from their departure before applying to any ITVS funding initiative.

Yes. However, there are situations where applicants may not be eligible due to other circumstances. Please email funding@itvs.org if you are unsure of your eligibility.

Yes, as long as the U.S. citizen resident serves as the lead applicant that serves as the legal signatory on the ITVS agreement. Please email funding@itvs.org if you are unsure of your eligibility.

Eligible previous work includes shorts, features or series (nonfiction or fiction) that were exhibited or distributed through verified third parties. Parameters include:

• You must hold a credited role as director, producer, co-director, or co-producer. 
• For festival exhibition, you must provide the festival name(s) and year(s) screened.
• Master’s/graduate thesis films are eligible, and you must provide the university name and completion year. Undergraduate student projects are not eligible.
• Exclusions: Self-distributed work hosted solely on personal or production company websites, YouTube, or social media pages does not qualify.

No, applicant(s) must be independent producers. Organizations such as film studios, universities, foundations, or nonprofit media organizations are ineligible.

To streamline our review, all filmmakers must first complete a brief Intent to Apply form (Step 1). This initial check verifies basic applicant details, production status, and previous distribution credits, taking approximately 10 minutes to complete. Eligible applicants will then receive an email invitation to advance to Step 2, where they will have two weeks to submit full application materials.

Yes. The Intent to Apply is a required first step for all filmmakers seeking funding through the Independent Lens Production Call and must be completed by its deadline. ITVS will not review unsolicited or direct full applications; you can only submit full proposal materials if your project is confirmed eligible during this initial stage and you receive an official invitation to apply.

ITVS contributed to the development of the Documentary Core Application and we have incorporated many of its elements. However, our application includes additional questions and required production details that are specific to co-producing with ITVS.

No. To maintain a fair and consistent review process, late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

Yes. Prior funding is not a prerequisite. However, your project must be in mid-to-late production or in early post-production.  ITVS funding cannot be used to cover deferred expenses for work done prior to ITVS’ acceptance of a project for co-production.

If you indicate on your application that your project has reached the rough cut stage, you must submit your current cut for review. Please note we strongly discourage assembly edits and will not review a cut that is longer than 120 percent of your intended total run time.

To be eligible, your project must be in mid- to late-stage production or in early post-production, on a timeline to deliver a finished film by summer 2028.

• Too early: Projects still in development or pre-production at the time of application will not be considered.
• Too far along: Projects that expect to reach picture lock before August 2027 are ineligible.

No. Only one project per filmmaker can be under active consideration at a time.

No. ITVS staff will only review materials after they are formally submitted through our online application process.

No, you do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply to the Independent Lens Production Call.

You will receive an automated confirmation email from the application portal. Check your spam or promotions folder if it does not appear in your primary inbox.

All applicants will receive an email status notification within two weeks of the Intent to Apply deadline:

• Eligible projects: Applicants will receive an invitation link with instructions to complete their application with additional project materials (including the production budget, work-in-progress/rough cut uploads, and written proposals), all within two weeks from notification.
• Ineligible projects: Applicants will receive notification they did not qualify to advance.

No. In order to maintain a consistent and fair application process, ITVS will not accept application updates after the deadline.

Applicants advancing to Panel Review will be notified within 8 to 10 weeks following the application deadline. Final determinations will follow 6 to 8 weeks afterward, and all applicants will receive written notice of funding decisions via email.

All projects that advance to Panel Review, will receive feedback. Projects that do not advance beyond Feasibility Review will not receive feedback. The decisions by ITVS regarding funding and the application process are final and are not subject to appeal.