Open Call: Application

Application Instructions

Applications must include contact information, your written pitch, sample reel and Submission Release Form. It is your responsibility to make sure your entry is complete and accurate. Applicants will not be notified if incomplete applications are submitted. Please submit only the requested items. All entry materials become the property of WGBH and will not be returned or acknowledged. WGBH is not responsible for entries that are lost, damaged, mutilated or misdirected. By submitting an application, you represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to the material submitted. Proposals submitted to or currently under consideration with other production, broadcast, funding or distribution entities may not be submitted.

Each applicant may submit only one application per program Open Call. If you are working with several people on one production, each member of the group must submit an online application and accept the Submission Release Form. Only one member needs to upload a sample reel or completed work, however each member of the group must indicate that they are part of a group submission and list all members of their team. Only one submission will be accepted per group per Open Call. Group submissions are only awarded one grant.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST EITHER UPLOAD OR INCLUDE A DIRECT LINK TO A SAMPLE REEL/TRAILER FOR THEIR PITCH. PITCHES WITHOUT ACCOMPANYING VIDEO WILL NOT BE POSTED.

For more details on the Open Call process, please see the About Open Call page.

Guidelines

The WGBH Lab creative board takes into consideration community feedback, but ultimately, their decisions are final and not subject to review or appeal. Criteria for all Open Call entries include, but are not limited to whether the pitch:

• demonstrates a fresh approach to narrative
• will be appropriate and entertaining for a public broadcast venue
• meets WGBH broadcast criteria

The creative board encourages working filmmakers as well as non-film professionals to submit pitches and films. The board seeks to award original creative expression as well as applicants with a capacity to bring the project to successful completion.

We encourage applicants to explore new genres, original concepts, alternative points of view, visually driven story lines, and other less conventional story forms.

Notification of grant awards will be made by e-mail.

Eligibility

Almost anyone with something to say about the latest theme – regardless of filmmaking experience -- may apply to the Lab's Open Call.

You must be a legal resident of the United States and be at least 18 years of age to apply. Employees of WGBH or partners of WGBH Lab are not eligible to enter. All entries submitted become the property of WGBH and will not be returned or acknowledged.

If selected to receive a grant or for your film to be licensed, you must complete, sign, and return a Producer Services Agreement and:

• comply with all independent contractor criteria of WGBH including completing all independent contractor status verification paperwork required by WGBH (e.g. Taxpayer I.D. Number for Business). Failure to do so will disqualify you from becoming a grant recipient
• (if you’re entering a pitch call) be available to produce the short during a four week period as outlined in the call.
• not become an employee of or provide other services to WGBH during the calendar year that you apply to an Open Call
• obtain a fiscal agent if WGBH deems it necessary
• certify that the completed work is original, and no other person or entity holds rights to the entry
• certify that the completed work has had no prior cable, network or public television broadcast in the U.S.
• grant WGBH all right, title and interest, including the copyright, in and to the short produced with the grant

Applications are not being accepted as this time.