NMPBS Content Submission Guidelines and FAQ
For answers to the most commonly asked questions about submitting film for NMPBS consideration, please read our FAQ document.
What types of films are you looking for?
NMPBS is always looking for quality documentary films concerning topics relevant to our audience. Ideally, these films will have topics focusing on current issues facing the Southwest, regional arts and culture, lifestyle or history.
Do you pay for films you air or stream?
NMPBS does not pay for content.
What funder rules do you have in place?
While financing from funders is critical to support the production of high-quality educational content, NMPBS will not accept content featuring funding that could compromise the editorial credibility or integrity of that content.
To preserve the public’s trust, NMPBS applies two tests when evaluating the acceptability of every proposed funder:
#1 Editorial Influence Test
Content distributed by NMPBS should be produced with the highest ethical, journalistic, and professional standards in accordance with the PBS Editorial Standards and Practices. Content must be responsive solely to the needs of the public—not to the interests of funders. No funder may influence, or have the right to influence, content. For this reason, NMPBS will not accept content if a funder is able to provide editorial input.
#2 Perception Test
To preserve our audience’s trust, NMPBS also must guard against the potential perception that a funder has exercised editorial influence, even if no such influence occurred. For this reason, NMPBS will not accept content if it determines that the audience might reasonably conclude that NMPBS has compromised its independence or professionalism to a funder. The perception of editorial influence can include a funding arrangement that, on its face, appears so self-serving that the audience might readily assume that the primary purpose of the content is to promote the funder’s products, services, or other interests. As a final part of this test, funders cannot physically appear nor be interviewed in the program.
Each potential funder must be evaluated by NMPBS to ensure there is no editorial influence or perceived connection to content. Any agreement by NMPBS to distribute content or accept funding is contingent upon this evaluation.
Do I need to sign a contract? What is the rights window?
All filmmakers must sign a broadcast and streaming agreement with NMPBS before we can accept your film. These are generally three years from the date of first broadcast.
What program/film lengths are preferred?
All final submissions to NMPBS must be in one of the following lengths: 26:46; 56:46; 1:26:46.
Longer films will be considered but must be edited to one of these lengths before final acceptance.
Do you accept short film submissions?
Unfortunately, no. Our break structure and schedule do not allow us to air films less than 26:46 in length.
Will my film air nationally if accepted by NMPBS?
The national schedule for PBS is very difficult for independent films to access outside of the POV & Independent Lens series.
NMPBS is one of the few stations that distributes contents to the over 300 PBS stations nationwide, giving your film the opportunity to be seen in local markets across the country, if NMPBS decides to distribute your film.
Does my film need to be closed-captioned?
All films we air must be closed-captioned under FCC regulations, we prefer that all films be submitted with closed captioning.
May I submit my film as a rough cut?
NMPBS is happy to consider unfinished versions with incomplete or temporary sound, missing scenes, no credits or titles, unfinished VFX, etc. However, the project does need to be complete enough for us to make a decision. Where applicable, please provide an on-screen description of missing scenes or elements as placeholders within the continuity of the film. You should also list other general elements that are missing or incomplete on a title card before the project begins.
May I include a Vimeo or YouTube link to my film?
Yes. Program links from established video services like Vimeo and YouTube are encouraged and welcome.
Is my film eligible if it has been previously aired or streamed elsewhere?
If your project meets our requirements and is not currently under contract elsewhere, it is still eligible if it has been broadcast on television, streaming, VOD, or anywhere else.
Am I required to obtain rights clearance for trademarked or copyrighted material?
From a legal standpoint, you must license or obtain permission from the appropriate legal rights holder for any and all trademarked and/or copyrighted materials included in your project before NMPBS can broadcast or stream it. If your submitted project contains unlicensed or uncleared materials, it is the responsibility of the owner or owners of the project to license, clear, or otherwise replace these materials in the event that NMPBS chooses to accept the project for air.
NMPBS will not be held responsible for ensuring that you have obtained licensing rights or other clearance for these materials at any point during the application process, nor will we be held responsible for the inclusion of unlicensed or uncleared trademarked or copyrighted materials held within the final version of your project. It is the sole responsibility of the entity or entities claiming ownership of the submitted project to secure licensing and/or permission from the trademark or copyright holders of the material in question. This includes music, stock images/footage, or any other elements that could violate an existing legal trademark or copyright.
Do I need Errors and Omissions Insurance?
If NMPBS is distributing your film to other stations, we strongly encourage it.