Submit to Reel South

REEL SOUTH Submission Guidelines

For all the wonders of the South — the food, the music, the people, the land — the collective heritage of the region is complicated, to say the least. But the ability to witness and understand that complexity and foster empathy is more important than ever. Which is why REEL SOUTH exists.

REEL SOUTH is an award-winning documentary series that showcases authentic and inspiring stories which unearth the spirit of the South today. With every film, the series explores the multifaceted layers of Southern life across themes of social justice, cultural experience, environmental challenges, and more. REEL SOUTH aims to leverage our region’s rich storytelling tradition as a catalyst for positive change and deeper understanding — in the American South and beyond.

REEL SOUTH is a co-production of PBS North Carolina, South Carolina ETV, and Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and is produced in association with Alabama Public Television, South Florida PBS, Tennessee Public Television Council, and WABE, with fiscal and organizational support from the Southern Documentary Fund.

We review submissions on a rolling basis. Below are the guidelines and details for submitting your project for consideration.

Discover Our Work

Before submitting, we encourage you to explore our library of films, style, and tone across our digital channels:

  • Official Website: Visit reelsouth.org for series announcements, news, and project highlights.
  • Stream on PBS: Watch full episodes and feature films streaming now on PBS.org and the PBS App.
  • YouTube Channel: Subscribe and watch short films, trailers, and exclusive content on YouTube @reelsouthdocs.

Criteria

  • Regional Focus: Films must focus on the people, issues, history, themes, issues, or culture of the American South. But that perspective is broadly defined.
  • Format & Length:

                   Short Films: 5 to 40 minutes

                   Feature-Length Films: 40 to 90 minutes

  • Styles & Approaches: We consider a broad range of formats and storytelling styles—including public affairs, social issues, observational, personal/POV, news documentaries, experimental, narrated, and non-narrated works.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Non-Fiction Only: Only documentary projects are considered. Hybrid films can be considered case-by-case.
  • Independent Ownership: Filmmakers must hold artistic, editorial, and budgetary control, as well as own or co-own the copyright.
  • Project Stage: Submitted works must be completed films, festival cuts, fine cuts, or advanced rough cuts. (Note: We cannot guarantee individual feedback on submitted cuts.)
  • Rights & Clearances: 
    • Signed appearance releases (all rights) are required for every person appearing in the film.
    • All third-party media—including music, archival footage, and photographs—must be fully cleared. Proof of licenses or written legal justifications (e.g., Fair Use opinions) may be required.

        

Editorial & Funding Guidelines

Most if not all projects must comply with official PBS Editorial and Funding Guidelines.

Licensing & Compensation

Selected films receive:

Timeline

Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Once a film is accepted, it is typically scheduled for release within a 6-to-8-month window (excluding digital-only distributions, which may follow an accelerated timeline).

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
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