Open Call: Black Public Media Awards (US)

As proven by films that BPM has supported over the years, stories have a unique ability to amplify voices, foster cultural transformation and promote societal shifts. They look to the community of talented media makers to produce compelling, nuanced stories that add the point of view, experiences, and concerns of the Black community to the larger public discourse.

Funding Information 

• Production funding will be awarded to
  • Up to five (5) nonfiction projects will receive a $5,000 stipend as well as an invitation to attend a talent development fellowship that prepares you for the opportunity to pitch for additional funding at Pitch Black in April 2025.
  • At Pitch Black, (1) one nonfiction project will receive up to $150,000 in production funding.
  • Awards will be announced in December 2024.

Eligibility Criteria 

• The applicant must:
  • be the project’s producer or director
  • be a US citizen
  • have a minimum of three years professional producing and/or directing experience, or have a senior producer attached to the project.
• All submissions must include a video sample. Projects in research and development must include a full-length completed work by the applicant. Projects in production must include a 10-minute sample of the project that is being submitted. Projects in post-production or further must have a full-length rough or fine cut to be considered.
• The applicant must be able to complete the project within 18 months.
• The applicant must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control, and must own the copyright of the proposed project.
• Projects or production entities that are foreign-based, owned or controlled are not eligible. Neither are industrial, promotional or student films.

For more information, visit Black Public Media.