ITVS OPEN CALL (Independent Television Service / PBS)
The Independent Television Service (ITVS) funds and presents independent documentaries on PBS — Americas public broadcasting network reaching 120 million viewers. Its Open Call offers up to $400,000 in co-production funding for independent documentary films, from shorts to features, on any subject and in any style. This is the single largest documentary production fund in this guide. ITVS funding comes with PBS broadcast rights in the US.
Deadline
Rolling applications — open year-round. Allow 2-4 weeks for preparation.
Cost
FREE — No application fee
Format
Documentary only (shorts to features). Any subject, any style. Must be in active production.
Eligibility
Independent producers globally. Projects must be in active production (not pre-production).
What You Get
Up to $400,000 co-production funding. PBS broadcast in the United States. ITVS production and distribution support.
What to Submit
Project application including rough cut or work sample, budget, distribution plan.
Insider Tips
At up to $400,000, this is the largest single documentary fund in this guide. The PBS broadcast pipeline gives African documentaries access to the US market. African filmmakers with partial funding from Hot Docs-Blue Ice, IDFA Bertha Fund, or Berlinale WCF can use ITVS to close their gap at scale. Rolling applications means no deadline pressure.
No deadline — apply whenever your project is in active production.
Verify dates and eligibility on the official website before applying.
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