Open Call to support Single, Nonfiction Documentary for Public Media (US)

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.

Funding Information

• Open Call provides up to $400,000 of co-production funding to independent producers of nonfiction documentaries, ranging from short films to feature length.

Who they fund?

• Open Call supports:
  • Single, nonfiction films of various lengths. They do not accept narrative film/fiction projects, pilots, or series.
  • Projects over 10 minutes seeking production or post-production support.

Eligibility Criteria

• You are 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Ineligibility Criteria

• You are 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 funding at time of submission.
  • If you have received four declinations since June 2024 on a single project/documentary submission without advancing beyond the Reader Review.
  • Current signatories of any ITVS production contracts who have not yet completed delivery.
  • 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.

Review Criteria

• After you submit your application, you will receive notification of your status within 16-20 weeks.
  • Eligibility Review: All projects are reviewed against the eligibility criteria and for full completion of the application. Ineligible projects will be notified if your project is unable to be considered for funding.
  • Reader Review: Each complete application is assigned an ITVS staff member and a peer reviewer. Their peer reviewers are ethnically and geographically diverse members of the independent film and public media communities.
  • Notification of Advancement: A small group of top applicants are chosen to advance as finalists. You’ll receive an email that lets you know if you’ve been selected.
  • Feasibility Review: Advancing submissions will be asked to submit a full production budget and answer additional production questions for review.
  • Panel Review: A five-person panel of independent producers and industry peers reviews all treatments, screens work-in-progress samples, and discusses the merit of each project.
  • Selection and Invitation for Co-Production Funding: Their programming and production department reviews the panel recommendations and feasibility check. A selection is then proposed to the ITVS content strategy team. ITVS President and CEO Carrie Lozano approves the final funding recipients and notifications are made inviting applicants into the contracting process.

For more information, visit ITVS.