Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to submit a WIP?
A WIP is required if your project is in the production or post-production phases. However, a WIP is not required if your project is in the R&D phase.
Do I need a lawyer to review the PIC contract?
PIC strongly encourages producers to have their lawyer review the contract. PIC’s funder, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), dictates the bulk of the contractual requirements that pertain to rights granted and approval processes. These requirements are non-negotiable.
Do I have to be a Pacific Islander to apply for this award?
No. PIC funds authentic, well-told stories about the Pacific Islander experience. It is strongly suggested that all filmmakers, Pacific Islander and non-Pacific Islander, who were not raised in the culture whose story they are telling, form a cultural panel or hire cultural consultants to ensure accuracy when depicting the cultural elements of the story.
Who is considered a “Pacific Islander”? Are Filipinos (or Indonesians, Malaysians, et al.) Pacific Islanders?
PIC is interested in stories of the Pacific and the Pacific Islander experience in particular. For the purposes of our funding initiatives, “Pacific Islander” is defined as one whose ancestors were the indigenous people of Polynesia, Micronesia, or Melanesia—in particular, Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. If the project is specifically Filipino, Indonesian, etc. in subject matter, contact the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) at (415) 863-0814 or visit their website at caamedia.org.
If I am not a U.S. citizen, can I still apply?
You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen in order to apply for PIC funding. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen or a legal resident, you will need to secure a fiscal sponsor in order to be able to receive funding from PIC if you’re awarded funding. PIC is not allowed to disburse monies to foreign production companies or non-legal residents.
Who are the reviewers and how is the proposal reviewed?
The Independent Review Panel is composed of cultural experts, academics, national public media administrators, and/or independent producers. Panelists change each year, but the evaluation criteria remain the same. Please review the Application Materials section for more details.
What if my budget is larger than $25,000?
If your budget is larger than $25,000 and you’re awarded funding, PIC will require that at least 50% of your budget is raised in order for funds to be released. You may include the amount requested from PIC in your calculation.
Can I include in-kind equipment and/or services into my budget?
Yes, in-kind equipment and/or services can be included in your budget. However, the amount of in-kind is limited to at most 15% of the total budget.
For questions contact Kainoa Rudolfo, (808) 591-0059, ext. 140