Public media has been a reliable pathway for filmmakers of color to distribute their work to broad audiences. But on the heels of federal defunding, public television stations and the curatorial strands that deliver content to them, are both seeking out new strategies and returning to tried-and-true ones for reaching audiences.

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Experiment 5

Partnering with Public Media

Learning Goal

To what extent and in what ways can conventional marketing strategies be effective for bringing films to new audiences, specifically audiences of color?

Approach

This experiment documented how a national public media broadcast, paired with robust community screenings strategy, can broaden public media’s reach and power.

Key Takeaways

  • Distribution Challenges

    Public media acquired a politically charged documentary that struggled to attract commercial distributors

  • Media Suppression

    A repressive media environment may have led to lower than anticipated PBS station pick-up

  • Screening partnerships

    Screening partnerships with community organizations extended the reach of public broadcasting

Featured Film

UNION

Directed by Steve Maing & brett story

1 hour 40 mins | 2024

Film Nominated by:

Level Ground

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