Sundance Institute | TED Prize Filmmaker Award - FAQ

Is the TED Prize winner on board with the idea of a short film?

Yes, however, further details will be discussed with the TED Prize winner after the Award is announced.

Are there expectations about how long the shoot must be?

This project will kick off after TED Long Beach each year. Applicants should expect to shoot activities for the winner at key milestones throughout the year of production. The shooting schedule starts after the winning filmmaker is announced in June 2013 and continues through November 2014.

Does the project have to be U.S.-based?

Applicants can be based anywhere in the world. Preference will be given to proposals that have experienced teams attached to them. The TED Prize Award winner could be based anywhere, so applicants should plan to shoot on location where the TED Prize winner will be working in the Award year, very likely including several productions trips.

Can these projects be news or television shows?

The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program and Fund, and TED, support artists making independently produced cinematic documentaries. This is not a television or news program fund, though multiple versions of the film are encouraged as part of a comprehensive co-production package.

Can I work with a broadcaster?

Projects can work with any co-producing entity or broadcaster as long as the editorial control is held by the project’s director.

Can I raise additional funding for the project?

Projects may have additional financing in place, seek additional funding, and/or be part of a feature-length project, but the Award guarantees delivery of the short film and any ancillary deliverables.

What rights do Sundance Institute and TED hold? 

Filmmakers should expect that Sundance Institute and TED will hold non-exclusive institutional screening rights and non-exclusive Executive Producer-level production credits on the short film, as well as appropriate credits on any feature-length material, or any other resulting material stemming from the production of the short film. Pending the acceptance of the proposal, this will be part of the discussion. Copyright will be determined by the director. 

Is there any other support that comes with the funding?

Sundance Institute and TED will be asking for a rough cut and fine cut screening, and will provide editorial feedback. Sundance Institute and TED reserve the right to request changes if, in our determination, the TED Prize winner’s work, will not be reflected in a way that is useful for the winner or their organization.

Additional Deliverables: 

• 1 - 3 minute teaser for TED Long Beach in February 2014
• 1 - 3 minute teaser for TED Global in October 2014 (or final film)
• 3 - 5 minute version (delivery date tbd)
• Additional version (3-5 minutes) suitable for news packages.
• Final film delivery by November 2014 or before.

Will this film be programmed in the annual Sundance Film Festival?

SFF is programmed independently and all DFP-supported films must apply in the open application pool to the Festival. The DFP tracks our projects at SFF and advises on documentary activities and programming. Sundance Institute reserves the right to arrange a special event and/or screening of film content at SFF.

Return to Sundance Institute's partnership with the TED Prize, or go to ted.com/prize.