⇦ BACK to PUBLIC MEDIA CONTENT FUND
Applications must be submitted through the online application process by June 26, 2024 at 5 PM PST. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.
- What is the Public Media Content Fund?
- Does LPB still offer the Current Issues Fund (CIF)?
- What is the Documentary Core Application?
- Can I apply for both the PMCF and DMF?
- Do you only have one submission period per year?
- Can I reapply if my application has been declined in the past?
- What is the selection process?
- When will I be notified of being selected for funding and when would I receive the first installment of funding?
- What kind of programs is LPB looking for?
- Do all of the projects have to be Latino themed or relate to Latinos?
- What if I have no Latino/a on the team, am I still eligible?
- Does LPB fund all types of genres?
- Do I need to submit a sample tape with the proposal?
- How many projects does LPB fund a year?
- Can an applicant submit more than one project at a time?
- What if a filmmaker is involved in more than one project?
- Can public television stations apply to the PMCF or DMF?
- Does LPB fund at any stage in production?
- Why is R&D not a priority?
- Does LPB fund community engagement or outreach?
- Is an engagement plan required if I am applying for funding of a film/program?
- Can LPB review and give feedback on the proposal prior to the deadline?
- Where can I find out about E&O insurance and closed captioning?
- How much money can I apply for?
- Must I raise a certain amount of money before I submit funds with LPB?
- Am I required to have a fiscal sponsor?
- How long do I have to complete my funded project?
- Who has editorial control of the project?
- Does LPB help secure a broadcast/streaming premiere on public television?
- When producing for PBS are there any standards or requirements that one must follow?
- Can my program be distributed on other commercial channels/streamers outside of public television?
- On the “Budget Summary Form,” what is the difference between “Amount to Raise” and “Expected Income”?
- Can LPB take a look at my budget to let me know if it is satisfactory?
- What does LPB look for in a good sample tape?
WHAT IS THE PUBLIC MEDIA CONTENT FUND?
The Public Media Content Fund (PMCF) is an open invitation to independent filmmakers to submit proposals for documentaries and/or limited series that meet LPB’s Content Priorities and are appropriate for distribution on national public television and its platforms.
DOES LPB STILL OFFER THE CURRENT ISSUES FUND (CIF)?
LPB is consolidating the Current Issues Fund (CIF) into the Public Media Content Fund (PMCF). Proposals for documentaries dealing with current or social issues will now be considered under the PMCF umbrella.
WHAT IS THE DOCUMENTARY CORE APPLICATION?
The Documentary Core Application is a collaborative effort by grantors who regularly fund documentary projects to standardize application requirements, with the aim of fostering greater access and a more sustainable documentary field.
The Documentary Core Application asks funders who regularly make grants to independent documentary film projects to adopt a common proposal format and a standard list of proposal questions in their grant applications. For frequently asked questions about the Documentary Core Application, please click here.
CAN I APPLY FOR BOTH THE PMCF AND DMF?
No, you can only apply to one funding initiative.
DO YOU ONLY HAVE ONE SUBMISSION PERIOD PER YEAR?
Yes, LPB only has one submission period per year.
CAN I REAPPLY IF MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN DECLINED IN THE PAST?
Programs previously submitted and declined by LPB will only be reconsidered if the filmmaker has made substantial changes to the proposal.
WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
Proposals submitted to the PMCF go through a two-phase review process. In Phase One, each submission is reviewed internally and sent out to professionals in the field for initial review and recommendations. In Phase Two, projects recommended to move forward are reviewed by the LPB staff and a panel comprised of journalists, programmers, independent filmmakers, academics and representatives from national funding organizations. If a project is advanced to Phase Two, the applicant will have the opportunity to submit updates to the project before it goes to the final selection panel. Final selections are announced 5-6 months after the deadline.
WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF BEING SELECTED FOR FUNDING AND WHEN WOULD I RECEIVE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF FUNDING?
Final selections are usually announced by December 2024. Do not expect to see initial disbursement of funds until the end of first quarter of the 2025 calendar year, after executing a production funding agreement with LPB.
WHAT KIND OF PROGRAMS IS LPB LOOKING FOR?
LPB is looking for timely and compelling stories that have resonance with a national audience. LPB is interested in biographies, arts, history, science, character driven documentaries and stories that reflect the Latino experience primarily in the United States. This year LPB is especially interested in projects that focus on Latino arts and culture, including biographies of artists and/or documentaries on music, dance and the visual arts.
DO ALL OF THE PROJECTS HAVE TO BE LATINO-THEMED OR RELATE TO LATINOS?
Yes, LPB’s mission is to support programs that are representative of Latino people or address issues that explore the diverse Latino American experience.
WHAT IF I HAVE NO LATINO/A ON THE TEAM, AM I STILL ELIGIBLE?
Yes, applicants would still be eligible but must demonstrate they have knowledge, experience and/or significant connection to the specific Latino issue(s) and/or community on which the film is based.
DOES LPB FUND ALL TYPES OF GENRES?
LPB primarily funds documentaries but is interested in innovative storytelling structures.
DO I NEED TO SUBMIT A SAMPLE TAPE WITH THE PROPOSAL?
No, sample tapes are not required to be submitted with the initial submission of the proposal. However, you do have the option to include a link to any sample material in your application summary form. If your project is advanced to Phase Two, you will be required to submit a sample for panel review.
HOW MANY PROJECTS DOES LPB FUND A YEAR?
The number of projects funded varies every year. On average, LPB funds about ten percent (10%) of the projects submitted per year.
CAN AN APPLICANT SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE PROJECT AT A TIME?
No, an applicant can only submit one project per year.
WHAT IF A FILMMAKER IS INVOLVED IN MORE THAN ONE PROJECT?
A filmmaker can submit only one application per review period. That same filmmaker can serve on the production team of another project, but cannot be an applicant.
CAN PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS APPLY TO THE PMCF OR DMF?
LPB does not accept applications from public media stations. If a station has a project that aligns with LPB’s mission, the station representative should contact LPB’s executive team for discussion. However, the project would not be eligible to apply to the PMCF or the DMF.
DOES LPB FUND AT ANY STAGE IN PRODUCTION?
LPB is interested in funding projects at the production or post-production stage. Requests for research and development (R&D) are not a priority.
WHY IS R&D NOT A PRIORITY?
Due to the limited amount of funds, LPB is concentrating its resources on projects that will be completed in a shorter time frame, thus increasing the presence of Latino content on public media. Though we are not entirely eliminating funding of R&D, we are only funding an R&D project if it is highly compelling.
DOES LPB FUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OR OUTREACH?
LPB no longer funds projects for community engagement or outreach.
IS AN ENGAGEMENT PLAN REQUIRED IF I AM APPLYING FOR FUNDING OF A FILM/PROGRAM?
No, an engagement plan is not required. However, a plan would be beneficial to your project in the multi-platform landscape of public media.
CAN LPB REVIEW AND GIVE FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSAL PRIOR TO DEADLINE?
LPB cannot review or comment on proposals prior to the deadline. We suggest that applicants have other filmmakers or mentors review the proposal for feedback prior to submitting to LPB. LPB does not automatically provide feedback to applicants on proposals not funded after the process has been completed. The filmmaker must submit a written request for feedback after receiving their notification letter from LPB.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT E&O INSURANCE AND CLOSED CAPTIONING?
For information about closed captioning visit the National Captioning Institute at www.ncicap.org or Rev Speech-to-Text Services at www.rev.com.
There are several insurance companies that offer E & O insurance but there is no specific company that is recommended. The following is a brief list of companies that offer E&O insurance:
D. R. Reiff & Associates, Inc.
New York, NY
(800) 827-7363
www.reiffinsurance.com
Walterry Insurance Brokers
Clinton, Maryland
(800) 638-8791
www.walterry.com
HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I APPLY FOR?
Funds range from $10,000 -$100,000, depending on the project. LPB Funding for each stage ranges as follows:
Research and Development $10,000 – $20,000
Production $40,000 – $100,000
Post-Production $25,000 – $100,000
MUST I RAISE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY BEFORE I SUBMIT FOR FUNDS WITH LPB?
No, it isn’t necessary to have raised a certain level of funding to submit. However, if the project is selected for funding, LPB may require the applicant to raise at least fifty percent (50%) of the total project cost before issuing a production contract. Also, applicants will have to provide a specific plan for raising additional funds needed to complete the project.
AM I REQUIRED TO HAVE A FISCAL SPONSOR?
A fiscal sponsor is not mandatory. It is up to the filmmaker whether or not they feel a fiscal sponsor is necessary.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE MY FUNDED PROJECT?
The filmmaker will complete the project in accordance with an LPB Production Agreement that includes a project description, budget and delivery schedule. If a filmmaker fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the Production Agreement, LPB may require the filmmaker to return funds provided for the project. Filmmakers will also be required to deobligate any portion of funding under an agreement which has not been spent or paid out by LPB to a filmmaker within four (4) years from the end of the fiscal year in which the Production Agreement is entered into with filmmaker.
WHO HAS EDITORIAL CONTROL OF THE PROJECT?
LPB will have a right of consultation on major editorial issues, however the filmmaker has editorial, creative and financial control. The filmmaker owns the copyright. For funded projects, LPB will enter into a license agreement with the filmmaker that will include a grant of rights to LPB that will include the grant of exclusive domestic television rights, which are usually six (6) releases over four (4) years, and the right to stream the program on LPB and PBS websites and social media accounts (the “LPB Term”). LPB serves as a presenter of the program to PBS and/or other public television entities.
DOES LPB HELP SECURE A BROADCAST/STREAMING PREMIERE ON PUBLIC TELEVISION?
LPB makes every effort to get its projects on PBS, secondary public media distributors and/or public television platforms. LPB offers the project to these entities and works with PBS programmers in securing a broadcast/streaming premiere date.
WHEN PRODUCING FOR PBS ARE THERE ANY STANDARDS OR REQUIREMENTS THAT ONE MUST FOLLOW?
Yes, PBS has comprehensive production standards and practices that must be followed by those producing for PBS. Applicants are encouraged to review the PBS Producers handbook that is available online at www.pbs.org/about/producing-pbs/red-book.
CAN MY PROGRAM BE DISTRIBUTED IN OTHER AREAS BESIDE PUBLIC TELEVISION?
All programs must be broadcast on public television and/or its platforms within the U.S and its territories. LPB will require the grant of certain rights in consideration of its financial support. The rights granted to LPB shall be exclusive in the LPB Territory (the United States, its territories, possessions, and military bases) during the LPB License Term (usually six (6) public television releases over four (4) years) and shall include the grant of exclusive domestic public television distribution rights. Filmmakers looking to secure broadcast/streaming on foreign television and/or platforms must receive prior approval from LPB. After these rights expire, they revert back to the copyright owner, who will be free to explore distribution in all markets.
ON THE “BUDGET SUMMARY FORM,” WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “AMOUNT TO RAISE” AND “EXPECTED INCOME”?
The Budget should contain a funding summary and must clearly indicate whether each source of funding is “confirmed/committed” or “pending/projected.” The “Amount to Raise” is the total amount of funding that still needs to be raised for the overall project. The “Amount to Raise” can be calculated by subtracting the “Income to Date” from the “Total Project Cost.” “Expected Income” is the total amount of funding that is anticipated from other pending grants, but has not been awarded yet.
CAN LPB TAKE A LOOK AT MY BUDGET TO LET ME KNOW IF IT IS SATISFACTORY?
LPB cannot review or comment on proposal budgets prior to the deadline. We suggest getting feedback from other filmmakers or mentors. We also recommend reading Robert Bahar’s article on documentary budgeting before you create your budget.
WHAT DOES LPB LOOK FOR IN A GOOD SAMPLE TAPE?
When evaluating the quality and content of the sample tape, reviewers will consider the production value, presentation of characters, storytelling and visual style. For more guidance on creating a strong sample tape, we recommend reading editor Shirley Thompson’s 5 tips for Editing Your Sample Reel https://www.shirleythompson.com/2017/02/19/5-tips/.
