Black Public Media is bringing its flagship pitching forum back to Harlem as PitchBLACK returns on April 29–30 at The Apollo Stages at the Victoria in New York City — continuing its mission to fund and elevate Black storytelling even amid major federal funding setbacks.
Despite a reported $1.8 million loss in public media support following Congress’s 2025 rescission vote, Black Public Media is moving forward with its ninth edition of the nation’s largest pitching session dedicated to Black stories.
This year’s PitchBLACK Forum & Awards will feature five documentary projects and five immersive media projects, all competing for production funding — including up to $150,000 for documentary films and $50,000 for immersive projects. The event is sponsored by Netflix and Andscape, bringing together top executives across public media, streaming, and documentary film.
A Celebration of Legacy and Impact
This year’s honorees include acclaimed documentary filmmakers Stanley Nelson and Marcia Smith, who will be celebrated at the PitchBLACK Awards on April 30.
The ceremony will also feature an “Artists’ Chat” moderated by NPR host Brittany Luse, highlighting the duo’s impact on documentary storytelling and Black cinema.
Ahead of the awards, BPM will host a special retrospective of Nelson and Smith’s work, including a free in-person screening on April 27 at Shepard Hall at the City College of New York (REGISTER HERE), along with a two-week online streaming program featuring nine of their most influential films — including Freedom Riders, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, and Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple.
PitchBLACK at a Time of Industry Change
Founded in 2015, PitchBLACK has become a launchpad for independent creators telling stories across documentary and emerging immersive formats. Many past participants have gone on to national broadcast premieres and major streaming releases.
“At a time when public media is facing devastating cuts, PitchBLACK is both a celebration and a declaration,” said BPM Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz. “We are moving forward with urgency and conviction to ensure these stories are not only told, but supported and seen.”
This year’s competition features filmmakers and creators including Reniqua Allen-Lamphere, Luchina Fisher, Thomas Allen Harris, Malkia K. Lydia, Fiz Olajide, and immersive storytellers Mia Imani, Roshmond “Sum” Patten, Connor Wall, Jonathan Williams, and the team of Georgiana Wright and Naomi Urey.
Winners will be announced at the PitchBLACK Awards on April 30 at 6:30 p.m., with tickets available to the public (HERE).
Why It Matters
PitchBLACK continues to stand as one of the most significant funding platforms for Black independent creators — a space where innovation, culture, and storytelling intersect with real production support.
For Black filmmakers navigating a shifting media landscape, the event is not just a pitch forum — it’s a pipeline.