#OTVAtlasFund Application Portal: Empowering Intersectional Storytellers for Post-Production and Exhibition 

Welcome to the #OTVAtlasFund, a micro-granting initiative that propels intersectional storytellers into the final stages of their creative journeys. As part of Open Television’s 2025 strategy, this artist-governed fund supports independent creators working at the intersection of opportunity-challenged identities and experiences, providing essential, unrestricted financial resources for post-production and exhibition impact. By pausing our regular cohort programs to focus on this initiative, we’re enhancing the #OTVApp with an expanded slate of voices that authentically reflect our core audiences’ needs.

💰 OVERVIEW OF #OTVATLASFUND

The #OTVAtlasFund is a rolling-basis grant initiative that provides between $2,000 - $15,000 to intersectional storytellers. Designed to meet artists where they are, the fund offers resources for post-production finishing funds, exhibition strategies, and impact campaign development. Through a trust-based philanthropy model, this self-guided pathway ensures creators maintain control over their stories while receiving the support they need to reach audiences on the #OTVApp and beyond. 

✅ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND PROJECT FOCUS

The fund prioritizes short-form content, including non-fiction, digital series, pilots, short films, and video art, and is open to intersectional storytellers from regions within the United States (with priority to Midwest, South, Southwest, Northeast), Mexico (with priority to Guadalajara, Mexico City), Brazil (with priority to Salvador), South Africa (with priority to Johannesburg and Cape Town), and Europe (with priority to London and Berlin). To qualify, applicants must be subscribed to the #OTVApp, ensuring that the storytelling ecosystem remains connected and supported within the OTV community. Additionally, creators must own the rights to their story and be willing to exhibit the finished project via the #OTVApp. 

Project content should also align with one or more of the #OTVDistro Thematic Priorities listed below:

• 🖤 LGBTQIA+ Perspectives
• ✊ Solidarity among Black, Indigenous & POC Communities (BIPOC)
• 🌍 Immigration & Nationality
• 📰 Journalism, Democracy & Pluralism
• 📚 Learning & Education
• 🌐 Decentralized Storytelling
• ♿ Disability Justice
• 🚺 Dismantling Patriarchy
• 🤰 Reproductive Justice
• 🌱 Climate Solutions
• 🌐 Interconnected Society

📖 APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCESS

Our streamlined application process empowers storytellers to share their vision at various stages, from loglines and teasers to budgets and impact statements. 

Required Submission Materials (by rounds):

• Round 1: Eligibility Screener/Teaser/Scene Selection, Log Line, Category Selection (Post-production or Exhibition), Impact Statement, Demographic, Budget Range
• Round 2: Letter of Intent (LOI) with Rough Cut Screener, Budget and Budget Narrative
• Round 3: Audience Voting: Select OTV App subscribers will vote on key aspects of your and other submitted projects
• Round 4: Offer: Successful applicants receive a grant offer and begin the next steps, following Audience Voting and LOI review 

🔖 POST-SELECTION EXPECTATIONS

By applying to the #OTVAtlasFund, intersectional storytellers gain access to resources that foster impactful storytelling and drive authentic engagement, all while expanding Open Television’s mission to champion diverse voices across screens.

Once selected, grantees receive dedicated funds and enter into a collaborative relationship with Open Television. Each storyteller guarantees exclusive distribution on the #OTVApp for a limited period [3 months, 6 months, 1 year] and non-exclusive distribution in perpetuity, while also participating in the OTV Ambassador Program. Grantees are part of a community-driven initiative that prioritizes their creative control and provides them with the exposure, tools, and support to make a lasting impact.

🗓️ APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Artists are only eligible to apply once and only with one project. The #OTVAltlasFund is a one-time initiative that will conclude once all resources have been utilized. 

❓FAQs

For additional questions not answered above or in the linked FAQ document, please reach out here

⚠️ OTV IS NOT A PRODUCTION or FILM FINANCING COMPANY - PLEASE DO NOT PITCH PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THIS PORTAL ⚠️

 This is the avenue for submitting your project (pilot, series, video art, doc, short-film, etc.) to OTV - Open Television. Completed content submitted through this form will be considered for exhibition on the OTV APP, non-exclusively. OTV staff will review all materials and follow-up with next steps on a rolling quarterly basis.
*Submission does not guarantee exhibition*

  ⌛️Due to the volume of submissions and limited staff capacity, please allow for up to 1 month turn around time of response. Subject to change based upon staff capacity⌛️

Distribution Process: [FAQ HERE]

• Step 1: Submit your completed/finalized content through this portal for non-exclusive distribution.
• Step 2: The OTV leadership team reviews content on rolling slate needs basis and follow-up via Submittable. Please make sure the email associated with your submittable account receives emails 🚨🚨from submittable at 'notifications@email.submittable.com' 🚨🚨- and communication does not go to your spam folder. Submittable is how we manage our slate and process all communications.
• Step 3: If content (films/series) is approved, Development will follow-up with next steps which are: the licensee fee, legal info, the release strategy and marketing action items.
• Step 4: You receive your release date (based upon OTV slate strategy) and marketing kit.
• Step 5: Your content is released on the OTV APP.

I have questions about the development process or a project, who do I contact: DEVELOPMENT@weareo.tv