OVERVIEW: The Sundance Institute offers grants, fellowships and other opportunities to filmmakers of every genre at any stage in their careers. Artists from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
IP TAKE: The Sundance Institute says that its support for filmmaking “has gained a new urgency” in recent years, and this is reflected in its funding, fellowship and learning programs, which offer support to filmmakers working in a broad range of genres and themes. Things change frequently at Sundance, however, so keep up with the Institute by signing up for its newsletter. Most programs accept applications, but some are open only to past grantees and fellows, making it well worth your while to get involved at some level. This is a largely accessible and transparent funder that accepts contact from grantseekers.
PROFILE: The Sundance Institute was established in 1981 by the late actor and filmmaker Robert Redford. According to its mission statement, it is “dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences.” Its programs aim to “discover, support, and inspire independent film and theater artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work.” Though modest, this funder’s grants are among the most prestigious in the world of filmmaking. A significant portion of Sundance’s programs are sponsored by other philanthropic organizations, including the Emerson Collective, Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, and the MacArthur, Knight, Mellon and W.K. Kellogg foundations. Offerings include labs, grants and fellowships for filmmakers and other industry artists and professionals.
Grants for Film
The Sundance Institute’s programs for filmmakers and other industry artists include the following:
- The Artist Accelerator gives filmmakers of any genre the opportunity to access unrestricted funding, as well as programs that “cultivate creative and professional growth.” This program prioritizes filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. See the program page for multiple opportunities and links to application information.
- The Catalyst financing program seeks to connect independent investors and filmmakers to help provide funding for new independent films. Applications are accepted by invitation only, but grantseekers may contact the institute for further information via email at catalyst@sundance.org.
- The Sundance Documentary Film Program is conducted with support from the Open Society Foundations and serves as “vibrant global resource for independent nonfiction storytelling.” Support includes grants and “strategic advice from development to distribution.” See the program page for specific opportunities and application guidelines.
- The Feature Film Program works with independent filmmakers to encourage “a rigorous, in-depth creative process while focusing on original and deeply resonant storytelling.” Support includes grants, fellowships, writing intensives and labs. See the program page for information on how to participate in upcoming opportunities.
- Sundance Ignite supports filmmakers ages 18 to 25 through the Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship Program, a professional development program that provides a year of mentorship and other opportunities, including Sundance Ignite traveling programs. See the program page for current application guidelines and due dates.
- The Indigenous Program supports Native and Indigenous-created stories worldwide and works to decolonize filmmaking and uplift Indigenous artists’ voices through a series of fellowships and labs. See the program page for information about upcoming events and how to participate.
- Sundance runs programs for filmmakers through its Outreach and Inclusion program, which includes programs for “storytellers and audiences across ethnicities, genders, abilities, sexual orientations and geographic regions.” See the program page for current offerings.
- The Producers Program supports fiction and nonfiction producers at all stages of careers with funding, labs, fellowships, networking events and more. See the program page for current opportunities and guidelines.
The Women at Sundance program offers several fellowships that work to advance gender equity in filmmaking and increase women’s access to opportunities as storytellers in media. Current opportunities are linked to the program page.
Sundance Collab is an online platform where filmmakers from anywhere in the world can “learn, create, build a community and champion independence in filmmaking.” Joining the collaborative is free, as are many of its resources, but courses cost between $115 and $870. Scholarships are available. Find details here.
Important Grant Details:
Grants and fellowships are typically awarded in amounts specified by each program. Subscribe to the Sundance newsletter at the bottom of the website.
- Across all programs, Sundance encourages the participation of filmmakers and artists from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Information about how to apply or participate is offered on most program pages. Guidelines and due dates vary by program.
- Grantseekers may review the foundation’s Digital Archive for more information on the kind of work it tends to support.
- Submit questions to Sundance via email at institute@sundance.org or by telephone at (435) 658-3456.
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