A Creator’s Guide to Working with Austin PBS

For more in depth information regarding how public media distribution and partnering with Austin PBS works, please review the Creator’s Guide packet.

• Can Austin PBS fund my project?

  • No, unfortunately we don’t have funds set aside for outside projects. In 2025, we launched two grants and hope to continue these programs. To stay informed on that, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

• I’m in pre-production, can I submit?

  • Yes. We accept and review projects in all stages of development.

• I submitted and was rejected, when should I resubmit?

  • After you’ve had substantial developments to the project, which can include attaining a new funder, filming footage or a pilot, or hiring some key players (director, host, etc.).

• What are reasons a program might get rejected?

  • Projects primarily get rejected due to low production value or not adhering to public media standards and practices. Other reasons include: inexperienced team, unrealistic scope, and untimely subject matter.

• Can I have my program aired during primetime?

  • The time that your program airs is determined by many things, including the national PBS schedule and the subject matter of your content. Ultimately though, it is up to the discretion of programmers where to place a program.

• How does the national release work? Is my project going to be on PBS?

  • Once your film is distributed in the public media landscape, it will be available for programmers at local PBS affiliate stations across the country to be able to air locally. We don’t have control over when they air it. The film will also be available for streaming on the PBS app. Here at Austin PBS, we will be in constant communication with you about when your program will air on our channel and when it will be released on the app.

• Should I apply if my program has graphic content, such as: curse words, violence, nudity, sexual or sexually suggestive dialogue, use or reference of drugs/alcohol, cigarettes, etc.

  • Be prepared to blur, cut around it, or cut it out completely - but go ahead and submit.

• I have an idea for a kids or animated program.

  • Unfortunately, we do not accept kids programming or animated programming at this time.

• I submitted to national PBS, but haven’t heard back.

  • Local stations, like us, work independently from national PBS. They have their own proposal process. We do not have a status update on your national PBS submission.

• How does this work? How do I go about fundraising?

  • Those are great questions and are all addressed in the Creator’s Guide packet. Please review them.

• I’ve never made anything, should I submit an idea?

  • As long as someone in a key role on your team (producer, executive producer, or director) has the relevant experience to demonstrate that the program can be completed, then you should submit! Relevant experience means that person has previously worked on (produced or directed) a project (of any length) that was completed and released. As a reminder, we are unable to provide funding for outside projects.

• I have no experience or connections. Where should I start?

  • If you are a newer creator who is seeking experience, we recommend looking into our Internship Program (for students) or Austin Film Society's Creative Careers program. We also recommend looking into film-related networking events, so you can connect with like-minded individuals and start collaborative relationships in the field of production. If you're in Austin, the film commission has compiled a great list of local organizations.

Still have questions after reviewing the creators guide packet and the FAQ?

Sign up for our next virtual information session taking place the first Thursday of the month at 11:00 AM by emailing greenlights@klru.org and we’ll share a link with you.