URBAN INDIE FILM BLOCK SUBMISSIONS

In their eighth season, Urban Indie Film Block is aspireTV’s premier program that features the best urban short films by tomorrow’s next great filmmakers; featuring action, comedy, drama, romance, documentaries and sci-fi.

In past seasons, their selected films have included Academy Award Winners, A-List actors and winners from top film festivals such as the American Black Film Festival and Pan-African Film Festival, and have been supported by prominent programs such as Film Independent and Sundance.

aspireTV was launched in 2012 by Magic Johnson Enterprise with the commitment of celebrating and reflecting Black culture and urban lifestyle in a way that is inspiring, authentic and entertaining.

Requirements: You Must Be a Black Film Space Member to Submit. Click here to learn more about our membership. Once you become a member, you will find the application in our Membership portal.

For technical inquiries, such as accessing the application or BFS Membership details, please email info@blackfilmspace.com.

For questions about distribution, contact Dbarnes@upentertainment.com.

Basic Terms for Filmmakers:

• Filmmaker must agree to a four (4)-year License Term (Term dates: August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2029) License is non-exclusive (filmmaker can license the film to other outlets/media companies)

• There is an Option to renew license for another four (4) years after the initial license

• The rights include all Aspire owned/operated channels/services (e.g, AspireTV, Aspire.tv, AspireTV+etc.) Additionally, your film may be selected to air on UP Faith & Family, an exclusive streaming service offering family and faith-friendly entertainment by UPtv. The rights also include all UP Entertainment owned/operated channels/services (e.g, AspireTV, Aspire.tv, AspireTV+, UP Faith & Family, etc.)

• Filmmaker must own the rights to the film or refer us to the rights holder

• Deliver film to our broadcast specifications

• Provide key art (film poster) to Aspire for promotion

• Aspire will Close Caption the film

Benefits to Filmmaker:

• Your film will premiere on Aspire TV, to 30+ million homes or viewers and will be seen on Philo, Roku and Klowd TV as well, creating more exposure.

• Your film may be considered to also stream on UP Faith & Family, the leading streaming service for families who desire inspiring family and faith-affirming entertainment. Now available on platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Channels, Roku, Xbox and more!

• Aspire TV may market & promote your film across the network’s social media accounts during the premiere window. Facebook: 334k Twitter: 16.4k Instagram: 95k

• Filmmakers will receive compensation; however, the payment amount remains confidential.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: APRIL 30th, 2025, 11:59PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME

Frequently ASKED
QUESTIONS

  • Selected shorts are projected to air in the Fall of 2025. Each episode of Urban Indie Film Block will have 2-4 short films that will air in each 60-minute block.

  • Films selected will be curated with other filmmakers and categorized according to the theme of the films.

  • Aspire will connect with each filmmaker regarding the promotion of their film and request marketing materials to use for us to promote your film.

  • Please refer to the File Delivery Specifications document for information on the

    specs required for submitting your film along with how to deliver your film’s

    marketing materials..

  • Black Film Space membership is $75 for one year and include free applications to our grants, mentorship program, screenwriting accountability group, free virtual events, discounts, access to our directory and more.

    Click here to learn more and become a member.

  • Log into our membership portal via Heartbeat, click on ‘Perks’ in the Community Sidebar then on ‘Grant Applications’

  • Up to two films

  • You can have any role as long as you have the rights to the film.

  • Up to 40 minutes.