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 across public media platforms.
Open Call provides up to $400,000 of co-production funding to independent producers of nonfiction documentaries, ranging from short films to feature length. The documentary can be on any subject, or any viewpoint or style as long as it is in active production already, as evidenced via a work-in-progress sample. For pre-production nonfiction projects, see Diversity Development Fund.
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.
Deadlines: Feb. 2025; July 2025; Dec. 13, 2024
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.
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.
- 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 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.