POV, public television’s premier showcase for independent, nonfiction film seeks programs from all perspectives to showcase in its annual PBS series. POV accepts films in the following categories:
We accept submissions on a rolling basis.
Our broadcast season typically runs from June through October each year, and we program our season about one year prior. Films submitted before July 31st of the current calendar year will be considered for the next broadcast season. Films submitted after July 31st of the current calendar year will be rolled into the consideration process for a future broadcast season.
ie. A film submitted on July 15, 2025, will be considered for the 2026 broadcast season. A film submitted on November 13, 2025, will be considered for the 2027 broadcast season.
POV considers work that meets the following criteria:
Non-fiction only. Works that integrate some fictional elements or create genre hybrids can be considered. Please do not submit docudramas, reenactments, promotional, or performance pieces. When in doubt, please email cfe@pov.org.
Works that have not been broadcast nationally. POV expects to provide the U.S. broadcast premiere of a program. POV will, however, consider a work when it is of special merit and has had only limited television exposure (such as broadcast on local public TV stations or on cable systems with limited geographical reach). If a film has been broadcast in countries outside of the U.S., it is still eligible for POV. When programming a film, we do take its digital distribution and accompanying exposure/press prior to broadcast into consideration.
Works by independent filmmakers. Works produced by filmmakers in association with a station or organization are acceptable if editorial control was entirely in the hands of the filmmaker. Instructional films, films made for a client, and sponsored films are not eligible.
POV welcomes and encourages submissions by both domestic and international filmmakers. If your non-fiction film has not been previously broadcast in the U.S. and meets all other eligibility requirements, you may submit your film to POV. If your film is not in English, you must submit a version with English subtitles.
Works released within the past four years. POV will only consider works completed by 2021 or later.
Films that are complete or near completion. POV considers completed work or fine cuts for standard acquisition. If you have a strong rough cut, you may submit in this category. Trailers, samples, assemblies, or excerpts cannot be considered for broadcast in the upcoming season.
Works not previously submitted to POV. If a film has been previously submitted to POV in non-final form (rough cut), the film can be submitted again if it is finished and/or the treatment has changed significantly since the previous submission. A small number of producers are invited to re-submit their films, but POV will be in direct contact.
Works of any length will be considered. Short films (35 mins. and under) are welcomed and encouraged to be submitted in the “Short” category. If acquired, please note that producers may be asked to cut works to comply with the POV/PBS broadcast format.
Works that comply with PBS underwriting guidelines. For details on PBS National Program Funding Standards and Practices, please visit the PBS website at www.pbs.org/producers/
The Executive Producers reserve the right to make exceptions to these guidelines in special cases.
Please note that POV does not review unsolicited pitches. Limited completion and co-production support are available on a case-by-case basis for projects at the rough cut stage or later. Please see our website for other funding opportunities.
If you’re unsure of where your project belongs please email cfe@pov.org.
If your film is selected for a POV broadcast, POV licenses exclusive US public television rights and accompanying limited digital-streaming rights. We also develop community engagement campaigns with targeted goals. Our films are made available through the POV Community Network, where we facilitate over 850 screening events annually. We work with organizations, educational institutions, and stations to organize free community screenings and discussions. The work we do will not interfere with your non-theatrical revenue; if you have educational distribution, we will coordinate with them to identify any holdbacks. We do not handle educational, theatrical, or festival distribution, though many POV films have found success in all these areas.
While we typically seek PBS broadcast rights for a period of four years, as well as
U.S. web-streaming and PBS VOD Services, we understand that the media market is in flux and strive to work with filmmakers to both help ensure their distribution options and maximize the reach of public media funds. It is essential that POV and PBS maintain digital streaming windows around broadcast. Acquisitions funds do not necessarily apply to films funded by ITVS, PBS, the National Multicultural Alliance, or CPB (as a public television broadcast has generally already been licensed through that funding), or for a work that has already been broadcast. Exclusivity may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Producers and only under extraordinary circumstances.
Releases / Rights: PBS broadcast appearance releases, as well as PBS broadcast rights for all music, art, stills, and stock footage must be secured by the producer prior to broadcast.
Final editorial control remains with the filmmakers, however, POV retains the right to request changes in length and/or treatment.
Each year, we have between 12-16 slots for features and 8-12 slots for shorts.
Selection of programs for POV will be made by the Executive Producers, in consultation with the programming team and the Editorial Committee (see below).
Works are pre-screened by experienced curators, programmers, producers, and media professionals. Each submission is screened by at least two programmers. Submissions are evaluated on the basis of their potential impact on a national television audience, their aesthetic approach, directorial vision, contemporary resonance, and compatibility with series priorities. All submissions remain confidential, and material is not shared outside of the POV programming team.
Due to the volume of submissions, POV staff cannot provide individual feedback on submitted work. Producers will be notified of the selection decision approximately six months after submission.
The final stage of the programming process for our feature films is a convening of the Editorial Committee (EdComm). POV’s Editorial Committee is a unique working partnership between non-fiction independents and public television representatives, functioning as an advisory board to the Executive Producers. We will inform you if your film has been selected to advance to EdComm. Advancement to EdComm does not guarantee acquisition.
By submitting my film, I affirm that the information contained within this application is true to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that American Documentary receives unsolicited submissions of ideas, formats, stories, suggestions etc., and that American Documentary has adopted the policy of refusing to accept or evaluate unsolicited submissions unless subject to the following terms:
1. I understand that many submissions received by American Documentary are similar to ideas, formats, and stories developed by many other filmmakers and producers, and that American Documentary may use such similar materials, or any materials it has an independent right to use (including, because the materials are in the public domain, are not novel, or are not original to me) without obligation to me. Because American Documentary may independently use material similar to mine that American Documentary receives or generates after the date of my submission, I understand and agree that to prevent any future misunderstanding or dispute I hold harmless American Documentary for any and all claims, losses or damages arising in relation to my submission.
2. I am submitting my material voluntarily, on an unsolicited basis. My submission does not impose any confidentiality obligation nor does it create a confidential relationship between us.
3. I agree American Documentary has no obligations to me, now, or in future, with respect to my material. I further acknowledge American Documentary has no intent to compensate me in any way at this time, nor do I have expectation of receiving any compensation from American Documentary whatsoever at this time.
4. I fully own or control the material I submit to you, and can grant all necessary rights in the material to you. I acknowledge all features relevant to the exploitation of the material have been disclosed to you. I further warrant the material is novel and original, and does not constitute defamation against, nor violates or infringes upon the rights of any person, firm or corporation in any way whatsoever.
5. I have read POV's Submission Guidelines and I acknowledge and agree your review of the material does not obligate you to me in any manner whatsoever, except pursuant to any express written agreement that may hereafter be executed by you which, by its terms, will be the only contract between us.
6. I HEREBY STATE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT NO ORAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND HAVE BEEN MADE TO ME AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT STATES OUR ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AND I AGREE TO IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.
POV Call for Entries Guidelines
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