Black Public Media has opened submissions for its 2026 Open Call, inviting independent filmmakers to submit feature-length documentary projects for the chance to compete in the 10th PitchBLACK Forum, the nation’s largest pitch competition exclusively for Black stories. The submissions portal is open now and closes October 1 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Five projects will be selected to participate in the forum, with each receiving $20,000 toward their project. The winning project will receive an additional $150,000 in production funding.
The announcement comes at a particularly difficult moment for documentary filmmakers. Congress’ 2025 vote to rescind federal funding for public media stripped Black Public Media of $1.8 million from its budget. In response, BPM established the Black Stories Production Fund to help ensure Black stories are never again subject to political whims.
“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, executive director of Black Public Media.
BPM is particularly interested in stories that explore critical issues, promote cultural understanding and engage national and local audiences. Projects may be in pre-production, production or early post-production and must be suitable for public media distribution. Applicants must be US citizens, the project’s producer or director, have a minimum of three years of professional experience and hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control over their project.
Since launching PitchBLACK in 2015, BPM has awarded more than $2 million to film and immersive media projects. Alumni have gone on to produce work for PBS, CNN, Showtime, Netflix, HBO, BET, NBC and The CW. Most recently, two former PitchBLACK winners took top jury prizes at the BlackStar Film Festival, with Zenon and the Rebel Boats winning Best Feature Documentary and Finding Your Laughter receiving a Special Mention.
BPM will hold a free informational webinar about the Open Call on Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. ET. Register at bit.ly/BPMOpenCallWebinar. Submissions close October 1.