BPM Open Call for Feature-Length Nonfiction Filmmakers (US)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

Black Public Media is inviting U.S. filmmakers to submit feature-length nonfiction projects for production funding and the opportunity to pitch at PitchBLACK in June 2027. The program supports compelling nonfiction storytelling about issues affecting Black communities and prioritizes projects with strong potential for public media distribution. Up to five selected projects will receive $20,000 each in production funding and an invitation to pitch at BPM’s 10th PitchBLACK event. One selected project will receive up to $150,000 in additional production funding at the event, with all funding provided through licensing agreements for public media distribution.

About the Black Public Media Funding Opportunity

The program is designed to amplify nonfiction stories that can reach national audiences while also engaging local communities.

Projects should demonstrate:

- Compelling nonfiction storytelling - A strong creative vision - Relevance to Black life and communities - Potential to engage broad audiences - Suitability for public media distribution Although certain issues are prioritized in this year’s Open Call, filmmakers can submit nonfiction projects on other subjects if they demonstrate compelling storytelling and creative vision. Priority Topics for 2026-27 This year’s call places particular emphasis on urgent issues shaping Black life.

Priority areas include:

- The impact of anti-DEI efforts on higher education - Housing inequities - The effects of redistricting on voting rights - Changes in civic power and political participation These themes are encouraged but are not mandatory. Nonfiction projects addressing other subjects may also be considered. What Funding Is Available? Up to five projects will be selected through the Open Call.

Each selected project will receive:

- $20,000 in production funding - An invitation to pitch at BPM’s 10th PitchBLACK event in June 2027 - An opportunity to compete for additional production funding At PitchBLACK, one of the selected projects will receive up to $150,000 in additional production funding. This means a project selected for the initial award could potentially receive as much as $170,000 in total production funding if it is also selected for the additional PitchBLACK award. Public Media Licensing The funding is provided through licensing agreements for public media distribution. Filmmakers should therefore understand the relationship between the funding and the project’s public media distribution. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet several requirements to be considered.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be U.S. citizens - Be the producer or director of the proposed project - Have at least three years of professional producing or directing experience, or have a senior producer attached to the project - Hold artistic control over the project - Hold budgetary control over the project - Hold editorial control over the project - Own the copyright to the proposed project The applicant should be able to demonstrate meaningful creative and decision-making control over the proposed film. What Projects Are Eligible? Projects must meet the program’s format and development-stage requirements.

Eligible projects must:

- Be feature-length nonfiction - Have a running time of 60 minutes or more - Be in pre-production, production, or early post-production - Demonstrate compelling storytelling - Present a clear creative vision - Have potential suitability for public media distribution Projects do not have to focus exclusively on the priority topics, provided they demonstrate strong nonfiction storytelling and creative vision. What Projects Are Not Eligible? Several categories of projects and applicants are excluded.

The program does not accept:

- Foreign-based entities - Foreign-owned entities - Foreign-controlled entities - Industrial films - Promotional films - Student films - Projects that do not meet the feature-length nonfiction requirement Filmmakers should carefully review their project’s ownership, control, format, and production stage before applying. Professional Experience Requirement Applicants generally need at least three years of professional producing or directing experience. However, filmmakers who do not meet this experience threshold may still qualify if they have a senior producer attached to the project. This requirement is intended to ensure that applicants have appropriate professional experience or senior production support to advance the proposed nonfiction project. Artistic and Copyright Control Applicants must have substantial control over their projects.

The filmmaker must hold:

- Artistic control - Budgetary control - Editorial control - Copyright ownership This is an important eligibility requirement because the program is intended to support filmmakers who have meaningful ownership and decision-making authority over the proposed work. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should present a project that combines a compelling story with a clear creative approach. Present a Strong Nonfiction Story Explain why the story matters and why audiences should engage with it. Projects addressing urgent issues affecting Black communities may be particularly relevant to this year’s priorities. Show Your Creative Vision Clearly communicate how the film will tell its story. A strong creative vision can help distinguish the project from other nonfiction submissions. Demonstrate Public Media Potential Because the funding is connected to public media distribution, applicants should clearly demonstrate why the project can engage public media audiences. Confirm Project Readiness The project should already be in pre-production, production, or early post-production. Applicants should clearly communicate the project’s current stage and what production funding will help accomplish. Document Professional Experience Provide evidence of professional producing or directing experience, or identify the senior producer attached to the pro