Open Call

You’re eligible to apply if you are:

• A citizen or legal resident of the U.S. or its external territories, age 18 or older.
• 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. Our expectation is that the applicant(s) listed on the application represent a complete list of individuals with ownership interest in the project.
• An individual with previous film or television production credit in a principal role: director, producer, or first-time director or producer with an experienced co-producer or co-director attached as a copyright owner to the project. Please review the FAQs for more information on eligible work.
• Seeking funding for production activities that support the completion and delivery of the documentary.
• Submitting a project that is in production or post-production, as evidenced by having a video sample that includes originally-shot footage for this project.
• An individual only submitting one application per round, either as an applicant or a second applicant. Note that an applicant can be a member of the key creative personnel on multiple projects.

You’re NOT eligible to apply if you are:

• Currently enrolled as a student at a college or university.
• In consideration through another funding initiative with ITVS at the time of submission.
• If you’ve received four declinations since June 2024 on the same documentary submission without advancing beyond the Reader Review.
• Current signatories of any ITVS production contracts who have not yet fully closed their previous contract.
• Producers representing foreign-based production entities.
• Employed full time as a producer or director by a broadcast entity or film studio, including public access stations.
• An organization including universities, foundations, and nonprofit businesses.
• A former employee who has worked for ITVS within the past 12 months.
• Submitting a project/documentary previously distributed in a public forum, including theatrical, festivals, educational, and community screenings.
• Contracted for premiere commercial distribution with the intended submission.