Public Media Content Fund

The Public Media Content Fund (PMCF) is administered by Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), a nonprofit organization that develops, produces, acquires, and distributes non-commercial educational and cultural media that reflects Latino voices and experiences in the United States. LPB receives funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and aims to provide a platform for diverse storytelling by supporting independent Latino-themed media projects for public television and associated digital platforms. The PMCF offers an open call to independent filmmakers for documentary films and limited series. It focuses on content genres such as the arts, history, science, biography, health, personal storytelling, current events, and social issues. This year, there is a specific emphasis on arts and cultural documentaries, especially those featuring music, dance, visual arts, and biographies of Latino artists. The projects should reflect strong storytelling and be capable of resonating with a national U.S. audience, offering unique viewpoints that challenge and enrich existing public media narratives. Funding is primarily allocated to production and post-production stages, although compelling research and development proposals may also be considered. The typical funding ranges are $10,000–$20,000 for R&D, $40,000–$100,000 for production, and $25,000–$100,000 for post-production. LPB does not prioritize marketing or community outreach activities and mandates that the funding be used exclusively for the creation of the film. Awardees are required to deliver high-definition films and adhere to all technical, legal, and editorial standards outlined by LPB and CPB. Eligibility is limited to independent U.S.-based filmmakers and production entities that are not affiliated with commercial broadcast or cable entities. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess relevant experience, and have a demonstrable connection to the Latino issues or communities depicted in the film. Only one application per applicant is allowed per review cycle. Projects previously declined without substantial changes, thesis or student films, and those with commercial intent or lacking exclusive domestic television rights are ineligible. The application process involves a two-phase review. Initially, projects are evaluated internally and by external professionals. Selected proposals advance to a second round reviewed by LPB staff and an external panel, after which final funding decisions are announced within five to six months. Sample work is optional in phase one but required in phase two. Funded projects must grant LPB exclusive domestic public television distribution rights for up to four years and allow for educational and streaming use. LPB also retains a revenue share from ancillary rights for 15 years and may impose holdbacks in Canada. Applicants can find additional resources, including budgeting templates and technical requirements, on LPB’s website. Questions about specific requirements such as errors and omissions insurance or closed captioning are addressed in the guidelines. For more personalized inquiries, applicants may contact LPB via email at info@lpbp.org or by phone at (323) 969-8000. The next open call for applications is expected to launch in Fall 2025.