Texas Film Commission
Menu

Austin PBS Finishing Funds Grant

Regular Deadline: Mar 21, 2025

The Austin PBS Finishing Funds Grant is for completed documentary
projects that need financial support with repackaging their project for
public media distribution. This grant was established to help close the
financial gap for projects that are strong contenders for public media
distribution, but do not have the necessary funding to repackage their work
in accordance with public television standards and practices.

We are seeking compelling and honest storytelling that has strong ties to
Central Texas. The ideal winner is also interested in expanding their
network in the public media landscape.

The winner will receive $12k to repackage their film and up to $3k in
reimbursements for a trip to a public media conference where they will be
able to promote their work. That’s a total of up to $15k. More details below:

● Format: Documentary
● Genre: non-fiction (note: we are not considering scripted projects
at this time)
● Awards:

  • $12,000 to repackage existing documentary work. Funds can go towards re-cutting, music clearances, sound design, etc.
  • Reimbursements up to $3,000 to help cover trip (registration, airfare, and lodging) to the November 2025 APT Fall Marketplace in Boston where the filmmaker can promote their project among public television programmers nationwide (dates Nov 3rd-Nov. 6th)

● Project Release Plan: We will release the winning film nationally
through public media stations in Fall of 2025. This includes broadcast
and streaming distribution.
● Number of Winners: One (1)

In order to be eligible for this grant, you must:

  • be 18+ at the time of submitting the application
  • be the director or producer of the project
  • be able to release your project in via Public Media, meaning you are not bound to any distribution, licencing, or acquisition agreements that would prohibit the release of the project via public media in 2026 (all the way through to 2029)
  • be willing to cut your film down to a one-hour doc for public media
  • be able to disclose all of the funders of the project
  • have made the project in the last five (5) years
  • be able to complete and release project by November 2025 (delivery to Austin PBS would be in September)

At least ONE (1) of the following:

  • Key member of the project (either producer or director) is a Central Texas resident

OR

  • The film is SET in Central Texas

For a list of Central Texas zip codes, click here.

Note: Members of Austin PBS boards and immediate family members of
staf are not eligible to apply.

We look forward to reviewing your application! Please reach out to
greenlights@klru.org with any questions.

For more information, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-92dtwOWrtljSdQngiS2V1aXSfxrMU6R/view.

Call for entry posted February 27, 2025