PitchBLACK
Celebrate Black Storytelling
Black Public Media’s annual PitchBLACK Forum is the United States’ premier pitch competition for independent documentary filmmakers whose content reflects the Black experience. Makers of nonfiction film projects are invited to pitch their works for production funding. The winning projects are selected by a jury of industry leaders. PitchBLACK is attended by public media creators, distributors, and industry leaders from around the globe.
Details about the 2027 PitchBLACK program will be announced in winter 2027.
PitchBLACK Highlights
- $2M+ in production funding awarded to PitchBLACK Forum winners
- Led to six network broadcasts
- Led to one immersive activation
- Led to two webseries
- Recognized seven documentary filmmakers with its Trailblazer Award
- Named five Nonso Christian Ugbode Fellows
PitchBLACK Film Forum
The PitchBLACK Film Forum features teams of documentary filmmakers pitching their projects to a panel of public media executives and funders. Forum winners can receive up to $150K in production funding.
PitchBLACK Awards
Winners of the 2027 PitchBLACK Forum will be announced at a reception following the Forum. Event details will be posted on this website during winter, 2027.
The BPM Trailblazer Award is presented to prolific media makers who have produced an exceptional body of work and have a strong history of mentoring other makers. The Trailblazer Retrospective offers an opportunity for audiences to screen a curated selection of films by the Trailblazer for a limited time. Details about the 2027 Trailblazer Retrospective will be announced in winter 2027.