Black Public Media
/OVERVIEW: Black Public Media runs training and funding programs for filmmakers and teams producing works that bring the global Black experience to broad audiences.
IP TAKE: Black Public Media’s signature programs offer opportunities for filmmakers and filmmaking teams that involve mentoring, production support, networking and some cash grants. It mainly supports U.S.-based filmmakers of African descent or teams with at least one member who is of African descent. This funder runs application programs for most of its programs, but eligibility and due dates vary, and the focus of individual programs may shift from year to year. One way to get on this funder’s radar is to participate in one of its free online filmmaking courses. See the organization’s website for examples of funded projects.
PROFILE: Black Public Media was established in 1979 in Colubus, Ohio as the National Black Programming Consortium. It has since relocated to Harlem, in New York City, and updated its name to Black Public Media (BPM). In its four decades of operation, BPM has “addressed the needs of unserved and underserved audiences” and supported the development and distribution of media productions that tell “Black stories.” Today, the organization “supports the development of visionary content creators and distributes stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future.” To these ends, BPM runs funding and professional training programs that support filmmakers and filmmaking professionals whose work aligns with the organization’s mission.
Grants for Racial Justice, Equity, Film and Journalism
BPM’s runs funding programs that support the creation, promotion and distribution of films that tell the stories of marginalized Black people …Current opportunities include the following:
The Open Call Distribution Support program changes its theme from year to year, but recent grants have supported long (1- to 2-hour) or short (less than 30 minutes) documentary films that engage audiences in critical social discourse about race, equity and other relevant issues. Grants provide funding for preproduction through postproduction expenses and engage filmmakers in BPM’s 360 Incubator, “a workshopping opportunity with peers in the field.”
BPM’s AfroPop Rolling Call Distribution Support program seeks films that “capture the breadth and scope of the diversity of the Black experiences” for the organization’s signature public media series, AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. This competition is open to documentary films and short narrative films that “have the potential for a national broadcast, and can be used for effective outreach and engagement activities to reach audiences beyond the public television broadcast.” Selected films are offered “competitive licensing rates for broadcast and/or digital platform distribution.”
360 Incubator+ is BPM’s signature film development program, which provides selected filmmakers and teams with opportunities for professional development, mentoring and accelerated production including production funding.
BPM’s Discretionary Fund provides previous grantees or “emerging producers with a public media distribution deal” with grants of up to $50,000 for film projects in research and development or completion stages of production. Application for these grants is by invitation only.
The Nonso Christian Ugbode Fellowship is named for BPM’s former Director of Digital Initiatives and supports “young artists who are producing their first digital media project.” Fellows receive mentoring, access to BPM production resources and a maximum of $5,000 in monetary support.
BPM also runs online professional development opportunities for filmmakers, including its Intro to 360 Cameras and Intro to 360 Editing courses.
Important Grant Details:
BPM’s grants are awarded in set amounts of up to $50,000 and are generally accompanied by mentoring, networking and production support for filmmakers and teams working on projects that align with BPM’s mission of supporting stories about the Black experience for public media and broad consumption. For information about past recipients and supported projects, see the organization’s individual program pages.
BPM accepts applications for each of its programs, with the exception of its discretionary grants, for which applicants must be invited to apply. Eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary by program, and some programs change focus from year to year, so it is important for grantseekers to check the relevant program page prior to applying. For general inquiries, contact BPM’s staff via email or telephone at (212) 234-8200.
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