PSBT seeks to cultivate discourse, create content and establish systems and practices that facilitate public access to the electronic media. We commission 52 films a year from independent documentary filmmakers, which represent 52 independent voices, to the exclusion of middle persons or large production companies. PSBT ordinarily invites proposals for documentary films twice a year. A commissioning brief is announced and filmmakers are invited to submit proposals in keeping with the broad outline provided.

We have explored a range of themes through our films. These have related to public cultures, contemporary predicaments due to the accelerating processes of change and issues related to diversity, freedom and ‘Ideas that have Worked’ for the Ministry of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. We have a three year partnership with the Ministry of Environment to support 13 films a year. Our more recent partnerships include those with  the United Nations Population Fund for films on Gender and Reproductive Rights in India, UNDP for Women Leaders and the MacArthur Foundation for films on Sexual-Reproductive Rights and Health.