A curated list of standout nonfiction projects, spanning documentary features, shorts, series, podcasts, and reality, connecting creators with audiences, industry opportunities, and partners who can move projects forward.

Nothing. Submission is free, and it stays free through every stage of the process.

September 9th, 2026

Yes. Submit as many as you'd like, just be intentional about what you put forward.

Yes. Widely pitched, never pitched, fully financed, or still looking for support, if it's a project you believe in, it's eligible.

Yes. Projects evolve, and yours may be in a different stage than it was last time. Each cycle is reviewed by a new pool of reviewers alongside a different slate of projects, so every submission gets a fresh look.

Title, logline, and any supporting materials you're comfortable sharing: pitch decks, sizzle reels, trailers, or anything else that helps us understand the project.

No. The 2026 Hotlist is built for works in progress. Anything from a rough cut on down is welcome: treatment, early footage, assembly, wherever you are. This isn't about who has the most polished cut; it's about the strength of the story and the commitment and care of the team behind it.

Only our reviewers and internal team have access to your materials, and everything stays strictly confidential. Nothing is shared publicly or outside our review process without your approval.

A paid reviewer cohort pulled from across the nonfiction industry: producers, directors, editors, executives, journalists, and programmers from different corners of the field.

Every submission is reviewed by multiple people and scored against a shared rubric: excellence in storytelling, originality, emotional impact, crowd appeal, and cultural relevance. Reviewers also meet to discuss and debate projects beyond the scores, and every selection is checked for legal and eligibility clearance before it's confirmed.

They recuse themselves from scoring it. Every reviewer agrees to a conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policy before each cycle begins.

The 2026 Hotlist is one list of 20-25 projects, mixing formats within: documentary feature, documentary short, podcast, series, and reality. There's no fixed number of slots per format. We're building the strongest possible slate, wherever it comes from.

Yes. Series/podcast hybrids, docu-reality crossovers, whatever the project actually is. Submit under whichever format fits best and note the crossover in your materials.

Not making the list isn't the same as not being valuable. We're building more ways to connect projects that don't make the final cut with opportunities and community, and that work is expanding in 2026.

Our first cycle drew 639 submissions. We selected 23 for the list.

We'll reach out directly with next steps and a timeline for the list going public.

No. The Hotlist isn't a grant or funding program. We never ask for money and never take any stake in your project, you keep 100% of your IP.

Real industry exposure: your project on a published, curated list that reaches filmmakers, producers, executives, and investors. Beyond publication, we stay a resource as your project moves forward, and selected filmmakers join a monthly gathering to connect with fellow creators.

Almost none. Beyond reviewing and approving your listing, there's no required commitment. We're happy to be a resource for strategy, feedback, and guidance as your project moves forward.

Now open.

November.

The Nonfiction Hotlist is distributed as a published list to our industry newsletter and made available to the wider media community. It will live in our instagram link in bio. If you haven’t seen the 2025 Nonfiction Hotlistplease check it out before submitting. Join the mailing list here to receive it.

If you're interested in supporting the Nonfiction Hotlist, we'd love to hear from you. Contact Us Here