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Thanks to all who submitted projects for consideration in response to our 2024 Open Call. This year, BPM sought applicants working in a range of formats, styles, subject matter and genres. We welcomed proposals that target specific viewers such as children and teen audiences.
We invited broadcast (60+ mins) documentary projects on compelling, nuanced stories that add the point of view, experiences, and concerns of the Black community to the larger public discourse. Ideally, these stories will help explore critical issues, promote cultural understanding, and engage with the national audience and/or local communities. All projects must be suitable for public media distribution.
Awards will be announced December 2024.
NOTE: BPM funding awards are licensing agreements for public media distribution.
For the 2024 Open Call, BPM is accepting proposals for feature-length (60 mins+), nonfiction stories. We welcome all subject areas.
At least one or more of the key production team members (writer, director, producer) must be a U.S. citizen or green-card holder.
Yes, Black Public Media’s mission is to support the development of visionary content creators and distribute stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future. We expect that the equitable and inclusive future is reflected in the production teams that we fund.
Projects or production entities, which are foreign-based, owned or controlled will not be considered.
While a single producer or production team may submit multiple applications, each project must be submitted separately, and no more than one project from any producer or production team will ultimately receive support.
No, funds are only available for projects that are the following stages: pre-production, production, or post-production.
No. Applicants must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control and must own the copyright of the proposed project.
For awarded projects, BPM will hold exclusive broadcast premiere rights for 4 years on public television. Projects for which the domestic broadcast and/or streaming rights are not available will not be considered.
Thesis projects or student films which are co- or solely-owned or copyrighted, or otherwise editorially or fiscally controlled by the school are not eligible.
Industrial, promotional projects and impact campaigns are not eligible for funding.
Yes, projects receiving organizational support are welcome to apply.
Projects must be completed 18 months from award. We will only consider extensions of a project’s schedule for selected projects with a fully executed agreement. Requests for schedule changes will not be accepted until midway through the licensing term. Extensions in the production schedule are not guaranteed.
If you are looking for a template, refer to IDA sample budget. Scroll to the bottom of the article to find the downloadable link. Be sure to use the “detail” tab.
Our deadlines are strict. We highly recommend that applicants in plenty of time and “save” to complete their submissions over time.
Black Public Media enlists the support of an independent review panel of media professionals across the industry. The panel reviews the proposals in a two-tier review process. Below are some of the guidelines used by the panel:
Project Idea and Story
Does the treatment provide a clear description of the narrative arc and filmic approach? Does the proposal express a deep and clear understanding of the subject matter? Is/Are the theme(s) well developed? Are the characters or subjects well drawn? Is there an original and creative approach to the subject matter in terms of form, structure and content?
Production Readiness
We seek projects that can be completed within 18 months of receiving funds. Has the applicant presented a project idea and production timeline that is realistic?
Production Team
Does the production team have the experience necessary to complete the proposed project?
Project Budget
Can a quality program be completed with the proposed project budget? Does it match the needs of the project, (i.e., production design, locations, archival, etc.)? Is there evidence of confirmed or pending funds and/or clear and concrete fundraising plan? Is it realistic? Does the fundraising plan complement the timeline for expected completion (18 months)?
Work Sample
Is there evidence of strong storytelling (i.e., the narrative arc is clear and compelling)? Does the work sample show sound interviewing techniques, compelling characters, and visual or audio aesthetics? Does the work sample effectively support the stated treatment and approach? If a past work has been submitted, is it an indicator of success for the proposed project?
Projects selected for funding will receive a BPM funding contract. The contract is not a grant but a licensing agreement in which BPM is granted exclusive or shared domestic public television distribution rights as well as the exclusive or shared right to package, schedule and promote the program through public broadcasting. BPM makes no expressed or implied commitment to financially support a project until an agreement is signed by both the applicant and BPM. As a condition of the funding contract, producers must agree to BPM’s standard terms and conditions, including the following:
Producers must comply with all equal employment opportunities and non-discrimination laws and policies, payola/plugola requirements and other applicable federal and state rules and regulations.