2010 Sundance Institute / Alfred P. Sloan Commissioning Grant

Established in 2005, the Sundance/Sloan Commissioning Grant is an annual cash award for a science or technology related project that is at an early stage such as full treatment or early screenplay draft. This grant will also include a small stipend for a science advisor to provide support through consultation and feedback, as well as the possibility of inclusion in a Screenwriters Lab.

Some of the projects that have recently been supported by Sundance and the Sloan Foundation at the Sundance Film Festival are Max Mayer's Adam, Alex Rivera's Sleep Dealer, Chen Shi-zheng's Dark Matter, Andrucha Waddington's House of Sand, and Shane Carruth's Primer.

The Grant will include the following:

  • A cash grant of up to $20,000 to provide support during the writing period.
  • A stipend of up to $5000 for a science advisor.
  • Creative support during the writing process from a select group of advisors.
  • The possibility of a fellowship to a Screenwriters Lab.
  • Strategic and practical support from the Feature Film Program staff.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Projects must have science or technology as a major theme or scientists as major characters. We cannot consider science fiction or projects that stray too far from a base scientific reality.
  • Screenwriters with any level of experience, including numerous produced works, may apply.
  • Projects must be narrative features and not documentary in nature.
  • Projects must be English language. However, screenwriter does not need to reside in the U.S.
  • Projects currently in development within the studio system are not eligible.
  • Projects based on source material must have proper permissions and rights to use that material.

You can find additional information regarding our current and previous grantees in the press release below.

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS SCIENCE IN FILM (Adobe PDF)

APPLICATION

If you have any further questions, please email Anne Lai (anne_lai@sundance.org) with "Sloan Commissioning Grant" in the subject line.

Applications for the 2010 Sundance Institute/Alfred P. Sloan Commissioning Grant are now closed. Please visit us again next year for information on the next round of applications for this grant.