Otherly

Overview

Otherly was a one-time interactive documentary initiative co-produced by POV Spark (the innovation arm of the PBS documentary series POV) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). The project funded seven short documentaries created specifically for Instagram Stories, exploring the theme of "belonging" in the 21st century. The films premiered on Instagram Stories beginning March 15, 2021.

Otherly is not an ongoing grant program. It was a single initiative with a defined call-for-submissions window (April 16 to May 17, 2019) that received 169 applications from the United States and Canada and selected eight creators to participate. The project is listed here as a historical reference for filmmakers researching nontraditional distribution and funding models for short-form nonfiction work.

What It Was

Otherly was the first-ever collaboration between POV Spark and the NFB. The initiative set out to define creative nonfiction storytelling in the age of mobile and ephemeral media, specifically using Instagram Stories as a distribution platform. The project amplified perspectives from women, non-binary, and genderqueer creators whose voices are underrepresented in mainstream media.

The call for submissions sought proposals for boundary-pushing Instagram Stories on the theme of "belonging" by visionary women, non-binary, and/or genderqueer storytellers from the United States and Canada. The 169 applicants came from a wide variety of backgrounds: filmmaking, animation, policy research, and podcasting.

Funding and Support

Major funding for Otherly was provided by:

• The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
• Open Society Foundations
• National Endowment for the Arts
• Perspective Fund

The exact per-film funding amount has not been publicly disclosed. As a co-production between POV Spark and the NFB, selected creators received production support, mentorship, and distribution through both organizations' platforms. The NFB is a world-renowned producer of creative documentary films and interactive stories, and POV Spark is the innovation arm of POV, the longest-running independent documentary showcase on American public television (airing on PBS since 1988).

Selected Creators and Films

Eight creators were selected from 169 applicants. Seven short documentaries were produced:

• Grace An: Two friends in different cities spend time together over video chat
• Joanne Lam: A Portrait of Tracy, an experimental documentary exploring echoes of childhood memory from an immigrant's perspective
• Miru Yogarajah
• Jess Murwin: A non-binary queer artist and programmer of mixed Indigenous (Mi'kmaq) and Settler (Western European) heritage based in Montreal
• Em Yue: An artist and filmmaker exploring intersections of race, sexuality, and modern media, pursuing an MFA in experimental animation at CalArts
• Jackie! Zhou: A Los Angeles-based director and sound designer with Emmy-nominated sound work (credits include Janelle Monae's Dirty Computer and HBO's United Skates)

The films ranged from 5 to 10 minutes in length and used diverse forms: animation, live action, first-person documentary, and omniscient storytelling. Themes included family relationships, LGBTQIA+ identities, freedom, independence, loss, and reconciliation.

Distribution Model

Otherly was distributed exclusively through Instagram Stories, a format that is by definition ephemeral: Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours. This was an intentional creative constraint, not a limitation. The project challenged the conventions of where and how films can be distributed and interacted with.

The films were released on the @otherlyseries Instagram account starting March 15, 2021. Because of the ephemeral nature of Instagram Stories, the films were available for a limited time, though some were subsequently archived on the NFB's collection platform.

Why This Matters for Filmmakers

Otherly represents a model that is distinct from traditional grant funding:

1. Platform-specific commissioning: Rather than funding a film and then seeking distribution, Otherly commissioned work for a specific platform. The distribution was built into the production model.
2. Short-form nonfiction: The project validated short-form documentary (5 to 10 minutes) as a format worthy of institutional funding from major foundations (MacArthur, Open Society, NEA).
3. Underrepresented creators: The initiative specifically targeted women, non-binary, and genderqueer creators, addressing a documented gap in who receives documentary funding.
4. Cross-border collaboration: The POV Spark (US) and NFB (Canada) partnership created a binational funding pool, expanding eligibility beyond a single country's funding ecosystem.

For filmmakers seeking similar opportunities, the closest current equivalents are short-form documentary commissions from digital platforms (BBC Shorts, NYT Op-Docs, The Guardian Documentary) and interactive/mixed-reality grants from the NFB and POV Spark's successor programs.

Eligibility (Historical)

The 2019 call for submissions required:

• Identity: Women, non-binary, and/or genderqueer storytellers
• Geography: United States or Canada
• Format: Proposals for innovative projects utilizing Instagram Stories
• Theme: "Belonging"
• Application window: April 16 to May 17, 2019 (closed)

This call for submissions is no longer active. Filmmakers interested in similar opportunities should monitor POV Spark (through American Documentary/AmDoc) and the NFB's digital interactive programs for future initiatives.

Who Should Reference This Listing

Documentary and nonfiction filmmakers from underrepresented communities interested in nontraditional distribution models, short-form documentary commissioning, and platform-specific funding. While Otherly itself is not accepting applications, the model it demonstrated (institution-funded short-form nonfiction for digital platforms by underrepresented creators) is increasingly relevant as platforms and funders expand their support for this format.

See Also

For documentary filmmakers building a financing strategy, see Documentary Financing: Building Your Stack. For the PBS POV Call for Entries, which accepts completed documentaries for broadcast consideration, see the POV: Call for Entries listing. For planning a documentary production schedule, use the Production Schedule Calculator.