Resources for Filmmakers
Find out more about the variety of funding and broadcasting opportunities available to independent producers at PBS.
Funding Resources
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
2100 Crystal Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314-1698
(703) 739-5000; (703) 739-0775 fax
http://www.pbs.org
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a private, non-profit corporation whose members are America's non-commercial public television stations. PBS provides quality TV programming and related services to 347 stations serving all 50 states. For over three decades, PBS has set the standard of excellence in U.S. television programming, with more viewers turning to PBS than any other TV resource for engaging, accessible and intellectually satisfying programs. Proposals are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Guidelines regarding submissions are available at www.pbs.org
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
401 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004-2129
(202) 879-9600; (202) 879-9700 fax
http://cpb.org
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967. The mission of CPB is to facilitate the development of, and ensure universal access to, non-commercial high-quality programming and telecommunications services. It does this in conjunction with non-commercial educational telecommunications licensees across America.
In addition to several targeted initiatives like the America at the Crossroads and New Voices, New Media Fund, CPB reviews proposals on an on-going basis. For more information, please contact programming@cpb.org.
Independent Television Service (ITVS)
651 Brannan Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 356 8383; (415) 356 8391fax
http://www.itvs.org
ITVS' mission is to create and present independently produced programs that engage creative risks, advance issues and represent points of view not usually seen on public or commercial television. ITVS is committed to programming that addresses the needs of underserved and underrepresented audiences, and expands civic participation by bringing new voices into public discourse. ITVS has a number of funding initiatives, including LINCs and Open Call. ITVS also co-curates and presents the Independent Lens series on PBS (see listing below). For more information visit www.itvs.org.
PBS Series
American Experience
One Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex
Since its debut in 1988, American Experience has brought stories of the people and events that shaped this country into nearly eight million homes each week. As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation. Now in its fifteenth season, and airing on Monday nights at 9pm, the series has produced over 150 programs and garnered every major broadcast award. American Experience will only consider proposals in writing. Producers should not call or e-mail first "to test out ideas" before submitting. Faxed proposals and those sent via e-mail will not be accepted. Proposals should be sent to the attention of Proposal Coordinator at above address.
American Masters
450 West 33rd Street, NY, NY 10001
(212) 560-6975; (212) 560-2900 fax
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters
American Masters, Thirteen/WNET's award-winning biography series, celebrates our nation's arts and culture. Launched in 1986 and still acclaimed as "the best biographical series ever to appear on television," American Masters has produced an exceptional library of more than 130 titles, exploring the lives and illuminating the creative journeys of our most enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists and filmmakers. In content and in style, these are uniquely crafted programs, reflecting the particular attention deserved by each of our subjects, resonating the extraordinary mosaic of our creative heritage and traditions. American Masters produces most of its programming in-house and is able to accept very few proposals. Proposals can be submitted, in writing only, to Executive Producer Susan Lacy at the address above.
FRONTLINE
One Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135
(617) 300-3500; (617) 300-1001 fax
http://www.pbs.org/frontline
Since 1983, FRONTLINE has served as PBS's flagship public affairs series, now airing at 9pm on Tuesday nights. Hailed upon its debut as "the last best hope for broadcast documentaries," FRONTLINE's stature over 20 seasons is reaffirmed each week through incisive documentaries covering the scope and complexity of the human experience. Story ideas can be sent to the above address, to the attention of the FRONTLINE Series Editor. FRONTLINE welcomes suggestions from viewers and reviews all letters and ideas. The series produces approximately 18 new programs each season and evaluates over 600 program suggestions and proposals.
Wide Angle
450 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10001-2605
www.pbs.org/wideangle
Wide Angle, American television's only international, public affairs documentary series, returns for a fourth season on PBS at 9pm Tuesday nights during the summer. The series broadcasts timely documentaries from current and future global pressure points, providing American audiences with insight into the economic, cultural and political factors shaping the world today. Each program focuses on a single subject, with character-driven narratives revealing the humanity behind the headlines of international events and issues urgently relevant to Americans today. Proposals are reviewed on an on-going basis from December through June. Please visit http://www.thirteen.org/wideangle for more details.
Independent Television Service (ITVS)
651 Brannan Street, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 356 8383; (415) 356 8391 fax
http://www.itvs.org
Independent Lens is a 29-week national PBS prime time series that features programs united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement and unflinching visions of independent producers. Presented by ITVS and curated with PBS, Independent Lens is supported by interactive companion websites, series marketing efforts, and national publicity and community outreach campaigns. Independent Lens celebrates innovation and the full spectrum of independent film by American and international producers including history, drama, animation, shorts and social-issue documentaries. Submission information is available at www.pbs.org/independentlens/submissions.html.
Minority Consortia
Latino Public Broadcasting
2550 N. Hollywood Way, Suite 420, Burbank, CA 915058
(818) 847-9656; (818) 847-9663 fax
http://www.lpbp.org
Latino Public Broadcasting supports the development, production, acquisition and distribution of non-commercial educational and cultural television programming that is representative of Latino people, or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. These programs are produced for dissemination to the public broadcasting stations and other public telecommunication entities. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, LPB acts as a minority consortium with a mission to provide a voice to the diverse Latino community throughout the United States.
LPB funds television programs including dramas, documentaries, comedies, satire or animation. These may be single programs or limited series, new productions or works-in-progress. Guidelines for submission are available at www.lpbp.org.
Native American Public Telecommunications
1800 No 33 St Lincoln, NE 68583
PO Box 83111 Lincoln, NE 68501
(402) 472-3522
http://www.nativetelecom.org/
Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT) aims to inform, educate and encourage the awareness of tribal histories, cultures, languages, opportunities and aspirations through the fullest participation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in creating and employing all forms of educational and public telecommunications programs and services, thereby supporting tribal sovereignty. Funding guidelines are available on their website.
Center for Asian American Media
145 Ninth Street, Suite 350, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-0814; (415) 863-7428 fax
http://www.asianamericanmedia.org
Founded in 1980, the Center for Asian American Media — CAAM (formerly the National Asian American Telecommunications Association) is at the forefront in creating opportunities for Asian American media through production funding, national public television broadcasts, educational distribution, and the annual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.
In 1990, Center for Asian American Media established the Media Fund, made possible with funds from the Congress mandated Corporation for Public Broadcasting with the goal of increasing visibility of Asian American programs on public television and impacting the way in which Asian Americans are perceived and understood. To date, over $3 million has been granted to over 150 projects. For more information on CAAM's funding initiatives, visit their website.
National Black Programming Consortium
68 E. 131st Street, 7th Fl., New York, NY 10037
(212) 234-8200; (212) 234-7032
http://www.nbpc.tv
The National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) is a non-profit national media arts organization committed to the presentation, funding, promotion, distribution and preservation of positive images of African Americans and the African Diaspora. NBPC sets the standard for and is one of the leading providers of historically accurate programming about the African American experience on American public television.
NBPC funds, commissions, acquires and awards talented makers of quality African American film and video projects. Selected programs reflect a variety of subjects and production styles. NBPC funds every phase of the production process — research and development, scripting, production, post-production, and outreach. Since 1979, NBPC has provided more than $5 million dollars in grants to both independent and station-based producers. Grant guidelines are available on their website.
Pacific Islanders in Communications
1221 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 6A-4, Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 591-0059; (808) 591-1114 fax
http://piccom.org
Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) aims to support, advance, and develop Pacific Island media content and talent that results in a deeper understanding of Pacific Island history, culture, and contemporary challenges. PIC funds and distributes film, video, and new media to the broadest possible audience, and supports media talent through scholarships, training, and professional development.
Information about their funding programs is available on their site.