POV: Call for Entries

Overview

POV is the longest-running independent documentary showcase on American public television, having aired on PBS since 1988. The POV Call for Entries is the annual submission process through which independent documentary filmmakers can propose their completed or near-completed film for broadcast consideration on POV. Accepted films receive a licensing fee for broadcast rights and gain exposure to PBS's national audience.

POV is not a production grant -- it is a broadcast licensing opportunity. Filmmakers do not receive development or production funding through the POV submission process. The value of POV acceptance is twofold: the broadcast licensing fee provides meaningful revenue during the post-production or finishing phase, and the broadcast credit substantially strengthens a film's visibility and distribution prospects.

What POV Provides

Films selected for the POV strand receive a broadcast licensing agreement with PBS. The licensing fee varies by project length and negotiated terms. In addition to the fee, POV provides:

• National broadcast on PBS, reaching millions of viewers across the United States
• POV's distribution and impact support infrastructure, including educational licensing and community screening resources
• Increased visibility with US and international distributors, who follow POV programming closely
• Association with one of the most respected documentary brands in American public media

Eligibility

POV considers feature-length documentary films of 60 minutes or longer that are either completed or near completion. Films must be independently produced -- projects with primary funding from a major television network or studio are not typically eligible. International documentaries with strong US relevance are considered, though the selection skews toward films with clear appeal to American public television audiences.

POV looks for documentaries with compelling characters, strong storytelling, and contemporary relevance. The strand has historically prioritized films that challenge assumptions, explore underrepresented perspectives, and engage with the cultural, social, and political questions that matter to American public media audiences.

The Submission Process

Filmmakers submit completed or near-completed films with a work-in-progress screener. The POV editorial team reviews submissions throughout the year, with selections announced on an ongoing basis as the broadcast schedule is assembled. The review process is competitive -- POV broadcasts a limited number of films per year and the submission volume is high.

Who Should Apply

Independent documentary filmmakers with a completed or near-completed feature-length documentary that has strong appeal to American public television audiences. POV is particularly well suited to films with social impact themes, underrepresented voices, and a clear hook for a general public audience.

See Also

For understanding how public broadcasting deals integrate with other distribution windows, see Distribution Deals: What Filmmakers Need to Know. For calculating revenue across multiple distribution channels, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator.