OTV - Open Television

OTV - Open Television OTV is an award-winning nonprofit platform for intersectional television, with artists and their creative visions at its center.

What does an open television network look like? Open Television develops television from the bottom-up, using web distribution to promote emerging intersectional artists and propel their careers. Through intentional artist development, OTV is creating a pipeline to the film & TV industry exclusively for creatives that have been marginalized by the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, disabili

ty, nationality and class. Led by a small yet mighty team of Black and Q***r artists, OTV is empowering the next generation of storytellers to produce and distribute original indie series, short-films and video art by and about artists.

05/04/2026

the filmmakers mixtape just dropped, and they are NOT playing. 🎬🔥

every single month, for 12 months, one film a month, these artists showed all the way up for the challenge, and now we get to receive the fruits of that dedication.

a space where constraint isn’t limitation... it’s actually the assignment. OTV is proud to fiscally sponsor this collection led by the visionary because this is exactly what it looks like when we invest in our own.

The Chase by
A Portrait of Platonic Black Love by
Ubuntu: Chapter One by .prproj
Ur Nvr Rlly Here by .prproj
Stamp of Approval by
Bloomer by
Reverie by
Welcome to Fontina Farms by
Quantum Innovation: Progress for Who? by
A Film to Fall Asleep by

Now streaming on the OTV app. Go watch your people. Link in bio 🔗

04/17/2026

Ms Gwen Carr didn’t know how
She didn’t know why
She just knew she wouldn’t stop fighting

“Her Fight, His Name: The Story of Gwen Carr and Eric Garner” by

Premiering tomorrow on the . Tap in.

04/13/2026

Recorded live at , this moment honors Sam Bailey as the inaugural recipient of the Beyond the Screen Legacy Award - recognizing a body of work that has not only shaped culture, but expanded what is possible for artists building on their own terms.

We are again, thrilled to have Sam join us as the newest member of our Governing Body.

🎞️

04/01/2026

In “Eat” Marcus Night, a century old human-vampire hybrid, takes on escorting to survive a changing society.

This supported title is created by .

Coming to the Friday April 3.

03/26/2026

Three iconic storytellers. Three cities. One night.

Kin Marie (Chicago), Jabu Nadia Newman (Cape Town), and Rraine Hanson (Kingston) were commissioned to create new short films exclusively on the iPhone 17 Pro. On April 9, these films premiere for the first time—together.
This is Today at : Brave Futures | Memory as Medicine—a celebration of Black creative futures, rooted narratives, and the storytellers shaping what mobile storytelling can be.

📅 April 9�📍Apple Store Michigan�🎟️ Free RSVP link in bio

The Brave Futures program has produced over 40 short films and supported 300+ artists across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Africa. This edition is for Chicago, Cape Town, Kingston—and everywhere in between.
Tag an artist who needs to be in the room. ⬇️

03/19/2026

“Noor” drops on the TOMORROW!
🎥
The short film by ambassador Aníbal Mu’min follows a Black woman who develops a connection to an Arab man who works in a bodega in the midst of a tragedy.

01/19/2026

And rounding us out, we have Elijah McKinnon our Co-Founder and now CEO! But alwaysss an Executive Diva. Elijah is entering their 11th year at OTV with refreshed visions and so many exciting new partnerships and activations up their sleeve. Stay tuned.
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You can also find Elijah at ! Ask them about Solidarity House.
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Check out their favs on the and use their code ‘ELIJAH’ for a free annual subscription. Link in bio to redeem.
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🎞️ by

01/18/2026

Please join us in welcoming the third of three Co-Directors, ! Makiah Green has been in the OTV ecosystem for years, most recently as a part of the Governing Body and has now shifted into her new role as Co-Director. She brings years of industry knowledge and experience to the team and we can’t wait to see what she cooks up.
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Bonus: if you’re at this week, find Makiah and ask her about Solidarity House.
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Check out her favs on the and use her code ‘MAKIAH’ for a free annual subscription. Link in bio to redeem.
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🎞️ by

01/18/2026

Now introducing the second of three Co-Directors, Stefanie Wong . Stefanie came into the OTV ecosystem as a fellow, slayed and brought in much needed support and systems as Executive Coordinator, and now is stepping into a leadership role with the team!
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Check out Stef’s favs on the and use code ‘STEFANIE’ for a free annual subscription. Link in bio to redeem.
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🎞️ by

01/17/2026

New year, new leadership! As we know, 2025 was a trying time for non-profits in the arts. To meet the moment and continue the critical work of supporting intersectional storytellers, OTV is not only expanding the team, but has also restructured to a shared leadership model.
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Please meet the first of three new Co-Directors, ! Chris is entering their 10th year at OTV. They’ve been in many roles since they started back in 2016 as Social Media Manager and most recently held the title Head of Marketing & Exhibition.
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Check out Chris’ favs on the and use code ‘CHRIS’ for a free annual subscription. Link in bio to redeem.
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🎞️ by

What does independent media need to survive the next decade—when the systems built to support it are disappearing?Enter ...
01/09/2026

What does independent media need to survive the next decade—when the systems built to support it are disappearing?

Enter .

During 2026, is co-creating a shared home for deep conversation, coalition-building, and creative activation—grounded in a belief that imagination is not branding, it’s infrastructure. Infrastructure that must be designed, resourced, and maintained together.

As our Co-founder & CEO shared, “We are coming together at a moment when everything around us is pushing people apart. The Solidarity House is a counterforce.”

In an industry trained to compete for scarcity, Solidarity House offers a different model: collective power over isolation, shared commitments over survival tactics, and long-view thinking over short-term wins.

📍 Park City, Utah
🗓️ Sundance 2026
🤝 Built with artists, organizers, and independent media workers shaping what comes next.

Read more via + stay close as programming rolls out next week via thesolidarityhouse.com.

12/02/2025

Those that hold the cameras and the mics, hold the power. 🫵🏾 YOU 🫵🏽 can help give artists the agency to shape their OWN unfiltered narratives. It’s , by donating to OTV today you’re investing in the platform working for narrative change and supporting a whole generation of brave storytellers.
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Footage taken at OTV’s Beyond the Screen Convening in September at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago featuring (in order of appearance) Kyra Jones, Denayja Reese, Fernando Garcia, Trevor Smith, Ruha Benjamin, and Safiya U. Noble.
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Camera: Candice Majors host: Rasheed Peters

Donate: givebutter.com/beyondthescreen

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2557 W NORTH Avenue
Chicago, IL
60647

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