Public Media Content Fund (PMCF)

Public Media Content Fund (PMCF) is sponsored by Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB). The PMCF is an open invitation to independent producers to submit proposals for programs, limited series, or short web-based digital new media video projects for distribution on PBS.

PUBLIC MEDIA CONTENT FUND GUIDELINES | LATINO PUBLIC BROADCASTING Public Media Content Fund PBS Program Guidelines & Policies ⇦ BACK to PUBLIC MEDIA CONTENT FUND WHAT IS LPB’S PUBLIC MEDIA CONTENT FUND?

The Public Media Content Fund (PMCF) is an open invitation to independent filmmakers to submit proposals for documentaries and limited series that meet LPB’s Content Priorities and are appropriate for distribution on national public television and its platforms. Projects applying to the PMCF can be in the genres of the arts, history, science, biography, health, personal storytelling, current events, social issues, and mixed genre.

This year we are particularly interested in arts and cultural documentaries. Projects should present a range of subjects, issues and viewpoints that complement and challenge existing public media offerings. Projects should integrate strong storytelling techniques that give voice and provide a lens to the diverse Latino experience.

While projects can take creative risks and reflect personal or individual experience, they must resonate and appeal to a national U.S. audience. An independent filmmaker or a production entity (i.e., a partnership or organization owned by the individual filmmaker or filmmakers), operating independently from a film studio, commercial broadcast or cable entity.

Applicants must have knowledge, experience, and/or significant connection to the specific Latino issues(s) and/or community on which the film is based. Applicants applying to the PMCF are not eligible to apply to the Digital Media Fund with the same or different project. Applicants must agree to create only one version of the documentary.

A re-edited version of the LPB-funded program cannot be re-packaged for another network. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be citizens or legal residents of the United States or its territories, and have previous film or television experience demonstrated by detailed personnel bios or resumes. Applicants are only allowed to submit one application for a project per review period.

All funding requests must be submitted in accordance with LPB’s guidelines. Applicants must shoot and deliver films in HD format.

Programs/films previously submitted and declined by LPB with no substantial change to the proposal; Thesis projects or student films; Public television stations; Filmmakers or production entities that are foreign-based, owned or controlled; Industrial, promotional or advocacy projects; Projects for which the exclusive domestic television broadcast rights are not available; Projects with a primarily commercial interest; Projects whose content or ideas are substantially similar to previously LPB-funded programs currently in production or distribution; Current signatories of LPB contracts who have not completed delivery; Current signatories re-applying for the same type of funding originally awarded; and Employees of CPB, PBS, APT, NETA, ITVS and the NMCA.

LPB is primarily interested in funding projects at the production and post-production stage. Requests for research and development (R&D) are not a priority. LPB funding ranges for each category as follows: Research and Development $10,000 – $20,000 Research and Development: Funding to fully develop storylines, identify engaging characters, talent and complete a production proposal and budget.

Eligible activities include: (i) research; (ii) clearance of life story rights or other rights necessary to initiate production; (iii) development of a script or treatment, including the hiring of writers; (iv) preliminary filming, if necessary, prior to the commencement of principal photography; (v) completion of a production proposal, budget and sample reel. Production $40,000 – $100,000.

Production: Funding to film and produce a program. Eligible activities include: (i) principal photography (including all production activities, hiring of crew, talent, clearance of rights for public media use; (ii) post-production. Post-Production $25,000 – $100,000 Post-Production: Funding to complete a program already in progress.

Eligible activities include: (i) post-production (including editing and completion); (ii) clearance of rights required for public media distribution. 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 evaluation 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 organizations. If a project is selected for phase two, the applicant will be allowed to submit any updates to the project before it goes to the final review panel. Final selections are announced 5-6 months after the deadline.

LPB will send out proposals for review using the following criteria: Ability to shed light on the Latino American experience. Project concept is well conceived and creatively structured to engage a national audience. The extent to which the treatment clearly describes the visuals, style and demonstrates engaging storytelling techniques.

The extent to which the proposal takes into account the public television broadcast/streaming medium, and the needs and interests of the program’s target audience. The filmmaker’s ability to successfully complete the program on budget and on schedule, given the experience of the filmmaker and proposed production team. Soundness of the production and fundraising plans.

Overall, the extent to which the project fulfills the LPB mission and programming goals. Sample tapes are not required for review during the first phase of this process. However, applicants have the option to include a link to sample work in question number 9 of the application summary.

If your project moves forward to the second phase, you will be required to submit a sample tape of your current work, which is preferable; previous work will only be accepted for projects in development. Current work may be submitted as a work in progress. We recommend submitting a sample that is no longer than 5 minutes.

The sample can be a full-length rough cut (with suggested segment to view), trailer, clips, scene selects, etc. The sample tape will need to be sent as a digital video file in . mov, . mp4, or .

wmv, with Quicktime (. mov) preferred. Please see the PMCF FAQS for guidance on your sample tape.

Regardless of LPB’s contribution to the overall budget, or your determination of how LPB’s monies would be allocated to any given line items within the budget, all applicants must include a comprehensive budget which covers the costs of complete broadcast deliverables, including: General liability and errors and omissions insurance (should be purchased as part of LPB’s standard requirements).

Electronic copy of the completed production in MPEG-4 (. mp4) format (reference the PBS Redbook/web manual for the latest technical specifications).

One broadcast master HD file or the latest acceptable format outlined in the PBS Producer’s Handbook; Licensing or otherwise clearing all necessary rights for exclusive domestic public television and its platforms, and for educational rights and all other rights required by the production agreement, including but not limited to music performances, art, archival, third-party materials, and news footage; Photography services for promotional stills; Fiscal sponsorship fees (not to exceed 10% of total budget) if applicable; and Please be aware that CPB does not permit contingency percentages.

Additionally, LPB funds should be allocated exclusively towards the production of the film. Please refrain from including budget lines for marketing, promotion, public relations and film festivals fees. Please access LPB’s budget template by clicking here .

Latino Public Broadcasting is the leader of the development, production, acquisition and distribution of non-commercial educational and cultural media 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.

LPB provides a voice to the diverse Latino community on public media throughout the United States. Latino Public Broadcasting is a registered 501(c)(3), EIN: 95-4776447. 12348 Ventura Blvd.

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