Black Public Media issues open call for 10th PitchBLACK

The Harlem-based Black Public Media (BPM) has opened its submissions portal to its 2026 Open Call.

BPM said independent filmmakers are invited to submit feature-length nonfiction projects in a range of formats, styles, subject matter and genres for the opportunity next spring to participate in the 10th PitchBLACK Forum & Awards — the nation’s largest pitch competition for independent filmmakers who create Black content.

Those selected to participate will receive $20,000 to support their project, BPM said.

It said the winning project will receive an additional $150,000 production award.

BPM said it is particularly interested in stories that explore critical issues, promote cultural understanding and engage national audiences and/or local communities.

“All projects — which may be in pre-production, production or early post-production — must be suitable for public media distribution,” it said, stating that submissions will be accepted through Thursday, Oct. 1, at 11:59 p.m. PST.

BPM said the applicant must be a US citizen, the project’s producer or director, and have a minimum of three years professional producing and/or directing experience, or have a senior producer attached to the project.

Additionally, BPM said the applicant must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control, and must own the copyright of the proposed project.

Five projects will be selected for the opportunity to participate in PitchBLACK, BPM said.

Founded in 1979, BPM said it funds film and immersive stories, develops media makers, and produces and distributes original content.

Since launching PitchBLACK in 2015 to help bring high-quality, consequential stories to viewers, the national non-profit said it has awarded more than $2 million to film and immersive media projects.

BPM said films that have competed at PitchBLACK have gone on to premiere on PBS, WORLD, Create and PBS Digital. Program alumni have produced film, television and immersive projects for PBS, CNN, Showtime, Netflix, HBO, BET, NBC, The CW, and more.

Last month, BPM said two former PitchBLACK winners became top jury prize winners at BlackStar Film Festival. Zenón and the Rebel Boats by Juan C. Dávila Santiago (Camila Rodriguez Estrada, producer) and Finding Your Laughter by Arlieta Hall (Brittany Alsot, producer) received BlackStar’s Best Feature Documentary and Special Mention, respectively.

“As we prepare for our 10th PitchBLACK, we are looking for filmmakers with urgent, original stories that can deepen understanding of the Black experience and connect with audiences across the country,” said Leslie Fields-Cruz, BPM’s executive director. “We’re looking forward to identifying compelling projects, investing in the people behind them and helping prepare filmmakers to take their work to the next level.”

Fields-Cruz said BPM continues its work despite the loss of $1.8 million from its budget following Congress’ 2025 vote to rescind federal funding for public media.

In response, she said BPM established the Black Stories Production Fund “to help ensure that Black stories are never again subject to political whims.”