Open Call

Yes. Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of itvs.org and our application software, however, there may be some limitations. Please reach out to itvs@itvs.org for any accessibility needs.

No. Open Call co-production funding is for a single short or feature documentary.

The applicant(s) must be the principal(s) of the business entity producing the documentary. Individuals listed must include all the parties with 100% of the copyright and business entity controls of the copyright in the project. A work-for-hire on the production should not be an applicant.

Yes. You’re eligible for Open Call funding regardless of whether you’ve previously secured funds. All proposals should include any pending funds and a fundraising strategy that details how you’ll raise the funds to complete your project. This may include (and is not limited to) foundation grants, state and federal arts and humanities council grants, license agreements (pre-sales), individual donors, equity investors, crowdsource funding, and producer cash.

No. You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply to Open Call.

Yes. Starting June 2024, you’re welcome to reapply to Open Call or other ITVS funding initiatives up to four times should your project not advance to Panel Review, in which you would be notified via email. If you’re reapplying with a previously declined project, we recommend not sending the same materials from previous applications.

No, rough cuts will not be accepted. For projects that are in the rough cut stage, we require a 15-minute sample and encourage you to provide details on where you are with your rough cut in the “Production Completed” and “Production to be Completed” sections of the application form.

Single films between 10 minutes and 90 minutes are eligible to apply. See the application for more information.

If you’re submitting a cut to a festival for a premiere exhibition within the next 12 months, your project is too far along for ITVS co-production.

Stories set internationally are eligible for ITVS funding. Please visit the Open Call page for more information about the various submission requirements and our Co-production catalog to learn about internationally set stories that we’ve funded.

Potentially. The main applicant and, if applicable, co-applicant or any entity that will be a signatory on the ITVS agreement must be a U.S citizen or legal resident.

Yes.

Applicants must have previous film or television production experience in a principal role: director, co-director, producer, or co-producer. First-time filmmakers with an experienced producer attached to the project can apply as applicant and co-applicant, with the understanding that both applicants would be signatories on the contract, copyright owners of the proposed project, and responsible for delivery of the project.

Shorts, features, and series (both nonfiction and fiction) that were exhibited publicly and/or distributed through third parties are eligible as previously completed work if they comply with the following parameters:

• Applicant’s credit on the film project is director, producer, co-director, and/or co-producer.
• Work must not have been solely self-exhibited on a personal YouTube, social media account, or owned production company website.
• Commercials, industry reels, and educational commissions worked on are not eligible.
• Applicant will provide the festival name(s) and year exhibited of the work(s).
• If the work is a graduate thesis project(s), the applicant must indicate the university and year completed. Undergraduate work will not be accepted.

No, the applicant(s) must be independent producers, not organizations such as film studios, universities, foundations, public media stations, or nonprofit media organizations.

No, Open Call only funds single documentaries for distribution to public media. ITVS does not provide funding for organizations or schools.

ITVS has incorporated many of the elements into the Open Call application. However, as a public fund, there are additional questions and production details required that are specific to co-production with ITVS.

No. However, you can prepare for the application by referring to the Non-Fiction Core Application Proposal Checklist. Please note that as a public funder, ITVS’ application will contain questions specific to public media audiences and delivery.

For projects with a total length of under 25 minutes, we request a work sample of 3-5 minutes. For projects over 30 minutes, we request a work sample of 10-15 minutes. The work sample may include a trailer, sample scenes, or a work-in-progress—whatever best exhibits your story, participants, vision, and approach to the subject. Any work samples that do not meet this requirement will make your application ineligible.

ITVS will no longer accept rough cut submissions. If you have a rough cut, please upload a 15-minute sample for review and provide details on your progress through the “Production Completed” section of the application.

No, applications must be submitted through the online process. If you’re experiencing difficulty using the online form, please contact itvs@itvs.org.

No, there is no submission fee required to apply to any of ITVS’ funding initiatives.

You’ll receive an email from the application portal confirming we’ve received your proposal. Pro tip: Check your spam folder, as some email providers may filter out auto-generated emails.

No. In order to maintain a consistent and fair application process, ITVS will not accept application updates after the deadline. Should your project advance, you’ll be notified and asked to submit additional materials for a feasibility review.

Applicants will be notified if they’ll be advancing to Panel Review within 12 weeks after the application window closes. Those advancing to Panel will be notified of final determinations 20 weeks after the application window closes. All applicants will be notified via email of funding decisions.

All projects that advance to Panel Review will receive feedback. Projects that do not advance beyond Reader Review may receive feedback dependent on staff capacity.