Support
Volunteer
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Sundance Institute. We rely on dedicated volunteers from around the world to generously devote their time and commitment to the Sundance Film Festival, our Summer Labs, and our year-round programs that support independent storytelling.
Volunteer for the Sundance Film Festival
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will take place from Thursday, January 22, 2026, to Sunday, February 1, 2026!
Volunteering for the Sundance Film Festival is truly a one-of-a-kind experience! Every year, volunteers help create a global platform to celebrate independent film by collaborating with one another and supporting the mission behind what we do. The real benefit of volunteering isn’t the perks or even the films — it’s being part of a passionate community dedicated to supporting independent art and providing positive experiences for all.
Volunteer Applications for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival will open in August! Please fill out our brief interest form (linked here) to learn more and to be notified when we launch the volunteer application.
If you have any questions, please contact the Volunteer Resources Team at volunteers@sundance.org
2025 Sundance Film Festival Volunteer Application Guide
Volunteer Application and Onboarding Checklist: This is a step-by-step guide on how to become a Festival Volunteer! This is an easy way for applicants and confirmed volunteer to keep track of all the things that need to be completed before you get to the Festival.
Volunteer Areas of Interest Catalog: This is an overview of the different teams and areas of the Festival where you could be placed as a volunteer. There are a variety of options available that could align with your interests and experience, so we encourage you to review the catalog before applying.
Lodging Assistance: If you need assistance finding and securing lodging for the Festival, we encourage you to check out our Lodging website for resources. Here you will be able to search for options that work for you and your availability.
Managerial Interest Deadline: September 19, 2025
If you are interested in a managerial role within the theater operations team, please apply by this deadline to help us begin with management placement early on.
Alumni Priority Application Deadline: October 10, 2025
Applying before this deadline helps to lock in priority for past roles as applicable. Alumni can still apply after the deadline, but may lose priority for the position they held last.
Cancellation Deadline: December 14, 2025
If you have already been confirmed to volunteer, canceling after this deadline may impact your standing with us for future opportunities.
Volunteer for the Summer Labs
At the heart of the Sundance Institute is our Summer Labs program! For the Sundance Institute Directors Lab, invited up-and-coming artists (called Lab Fellows) will rehearse, shoot, and edit scenes from their screenplays under the mentorship of accomplished Creative Advisors. Surrounded by seasoned professionals, yet removed from the typical pressures of production, Lab Fellows are offered a unique opportunity to see the script “on its feet,” develop skills, and take risks.
Volunteers help the program succeed by being a part of a Fellow’s production Crew or through general support for our Admin and Operation teams.
Applications to volunteer for the Sundance Institute Summer Labs are now closed. We plan on sharing more information about available roles and the application process after the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Please reach out to our team if you have any questions.
Contact Us
If you have questions that are not addressed above, please feel free to contact us via email volunteers@sundance.org or call the Volunteer Resources Team at (435) 776-7870. Our working hours are Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MT.