Volunteer

Support

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 2027 Sundance Film Festival

The 2027 Sundance Film Festival will take place from January 21-31, 2027, in Boulder, Colorado!

The passion to participate is truly inspiring! As we continue to prepare for the next edition of the Festival, we invite you to stay informed about future volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved. If you are interested in learning more, please complete our Volunteer Interest Form to receive updates and information regarding next steps and the official application process.

Applications to volunteer for the 2027 Festival will open at the end of the summer, and we look forward to connecting with you soon!

For a list of venues and a map of our Festival locations, read more here!

Please reach out to volunteers@sundance.org if you have any questions in the meantime.

Volunteer for the Summer Labs

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. As a Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to support the program by being a part of a Fellow’s production crew or through being a general administration volunteer.

Applications for the Sundance Institute Summer Labs will open soon! Please contact us at volunteers@sundance.org to be added to our contact list and notified when applications open.

Flex and General Support Volunteer More >

Production Support Volunteer More >

Prop Master More >

Assistant Prop Master More >

Assistant Camera More >

Director of Photography More >

Gaffer More >

2026 Sundance Film Festival Volunteer Application Guide

1.
Review Info

2.
Apply

3.
Confirm Placement

4.
Scheduling and Training

5.
Prepare for the Festival!

Helpful Links and Resources

Important Deadlines

Helpful Links and Resources

Important Deadlines

Become a Festival Volunteer Today!

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.

Volunteer, Production Crew, Crew Chief

This is an unpaid, volunteer role with the Sundance Institute. Please email volunteers@sundance.org with any questions.

LOCATION AND CONSIDERATIONS:

This position is required to live onsite at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO, in accommodations provided by the Sundance Institute at the Stanley Hotel. Sundance Institute will also provide air and ground transportation to and from the Hotel and meals onsite.

POSITION DATES: Thursday, May 29, 2025 – Sunday, June 15, 2025 (17 Days)

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED: 4

POSITION SUMMARY:

Oversee production crew and sets during production. Ensure crew are trained and sets are set up and torn down within the scheduled time frame.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Train crew at the direction of Production Supervisor.
Read assigned scripts and assess filmmaker needs.
Collaborates with the director to understand the needs of the movie, scene and characters.
Collaborate with other Crew Chiefs and Production Supervisor to organize day to day shoot logistics.
Distribute production equipment to four crews and technical directors as directed.
Ensure production and post-production staff have adequate expendable items to perform daily operations.
Ensure a safe production environment.
Manage stage and location set up and wrap out.
Break down, inventory, and pack loaner production equipment. Inventory all Sundance owned equipment.
Help the Directors realize their vision and the importance of preparation, planning and execution for a film set.
Support the Production Supervisor in the management of schedules, production logistics, production meetings and Sundance events.
Meet with Production Manager/Supervisor to discuss what did and did not work throughout the lab to help improve future labs.
Assist in managing all crew activities during the lab.
Manage one crew for two directors during the lab production days.
Other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Valid driver’s license and successful completion of DMV background check preferred.
Must be 21 years of age or older.
Film related degree or relative industry experience preferred.

Narrative film crew experience preferred.
Working knowledge of Digital Cinematography Equipment including: cameras, lighting, sound, grip, editing, etc.

Must have experience as an Assistant Director.
Excellent organizational and communication skills required.
Must be self-motivated and excel as a leader.
Ability to operate production vehicles such as cargo and minivans.
Ability to lift, carry, and push heavy items that weigh 10-50 lbs.

Flex and General Support Volunteer

This is an unpaid, volunteer role with Sundance Institute. Please email volunteers@sundance.org with any questions.

LOCATION AND CONSIDERATIONS:

POSITION DATES: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 – Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (21 Days)

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED: 2

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Flex and General Support Labs Volunteer will be responsible for supporting the Directors Lab Operation and Production teams with a wide range of projects. Labs Volunteers will be assigned hours (often 8-10 hrs at a time). Weekend and early evening coverage required, with 1.5 days off per week.

Labs Volunteers will alternate between two roles – Float & General Support. On days assigned as a Floater, Volunteers will assist numerous departments in a variety of areas including equipment moving and set up, supply runs, event set up and facilitation, on set film production, and other projects as assigned. These days may have periods of high intensity paired with periods of being “on-call”. On alternate days when Volunteers are assigned to General Support, they may be stationed in our Labs office for their full shift or assigned other operations related projects. Volunteers will act as the first point of contact for greeting guests at check in, assisting with logistical & directional questions, supporting check ins, and other office administration, production, and operational tasks.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support all aspects of the Lab as needed, including production, operations, office administrations, meals and events.
Greet participants in the Lab Operations office as assigned, and field any needs or questions
Assist with management of the Lab Operations office, including monitoring the phone, locking/unlocking the space, flagging any low office supply inventory for restock, and other admin projects as assigned.
Assist with check in of participants; help with preparing merchandise and badges; support with data entry and other guest relations duties as needed.
Move equipment and supplies between spaces, including Operations materials and film production equipment; set up equipment as needed.
Act as a Production Assistant/Runner on film production sets, as assigned.
Restock snack stations and office supplies.
Complete runs and errands using a Lab provided vehicle.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Excellent customer service skills, interpersonal and communications skills
Excellent organizational abilities
Be able to work a flexible schedule, work well under pressure, and meet deadlines
Strong computer skills, including Google Suite and some database knowledge
Ability to complete heavy data entry
Ability to bend, lift, and carry 50lbs or more
Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time
Ability to read documents for analytical purposes, high degree of accuracy (reports)
Valid driver’s license and successful completion of DMV background check required.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT OVERVIEW

Please review the timeline below to understand the steps and process involved in becoming a Festival Volunteer. If you have any questions, please contact us at volunteers@sundance.org or (435) 776-7870.

1. Complete the Online Application: Our application is available on this page starting at the end of the summer. You will be asked to complete all required sections, including your volunteer type, commitment level, areas of interest, experience, and a clear photo of yourself (headshot). The application will remain open until all roles have been filled. We recommend applying as soon as possible when the application opens.

2. Application Waiting Period: Applicants will receive an automatic email response confirming our database has received your application. Please note that applying to be a Festival Volunteer and receiving this automatic email response does not guarantee you will be offered placement. Once that automatic email response is received, applicants should wait for a member of the Volunteer Resources Team to reach out to them directly. If you need to adjust your volunteer commitment level, update lodging status details, or cancel your application, please contact volunteers@sundance.org.

3. Application Assessment: Volunteer Resources Coordinators start their roles in September/October, which means volunteers will not be contacted for placement until the late fall (unless you have applied for a Volunteer Managerial/Supervisory role). Applications are assessed by the Volunteer Resources Team based on your answers to our required questions, experience, general availability, application submission date, and the needs of the Festival.

4. Role Placement: Until all roles have been filled, approved applicants may receive a phone call (435 area code) or email from a Volunteer Resources Coordinator to discuss availability and role placement. If you are not selected for role placement, you can expect to receive a notification email in December from the Volunteer Resources Team that your application will not move forward.

5. Onboarding: Applicants who have been selected for a role will receive an onboarding email from a Volunteer Resources Coordinator. This email will include the Volunteer Agreement, Volunteer Expectations, Community Agreement, and the Position Description. The paperwork included in this email should be completed as soon as possible as your official role placement is contingent upon signing and submitting. . Please note that volunteering for the Sundance Film Festival does require attention to details, adherence to deadlines, and timely communication. Preparation and trainings may happen at any point after being placed in a role. If a volunteer chooses to accept a role, they should expect to set aside time to prepare for the Festival and meet deadlines as needed.

6. Schedules and Shift Assignments: After all onboarding paperwork is completed, volunteers can expect the following based on their commitment level –

Part Time Sign Up Volunteers will have a designated schedule “Sign Up Days” communicated to them. These volunteers will log into their profiles and select shifts posted across all Festival days that are available and meet the required minimum hours within their role placement.
Full Time and Part Time Assigned Volunteers will receive their assigned schedules anytime between mid December through the beginning of January.

7. Training and Preparing for Shifts: In addition to the Volunteer Resources Orientation, onsite or online training is provided for most Volunteer roles in the weeks and/or days leading up to the Festival. A welcome email from the assigned team and training materials for review may also be sent ahead of time to ensure volunteers feel set up for success. At training, volunteers can expect to learn about the what, why, and how in relation to their tasks and additional expectations specific to their role placement. Pro Tip: Use this time to ask questions directly to your onsite supervisor(s) or your assigned Volunteer Coordinator.

8. The Festival: Get out there and have fun! Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Festival and bring their energy, enthusiasm, and passion while helping thousands of film lovers and supporters of original storytelling. Between shifts, be sure to catch incredible films, make new friends, visit the Volunteer Hub, and take in the Festival atmosphere.

Support

Volunteer

Volunteer for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival

Volunteer for the Summer Labs

2026 Sundance Film Festival Volunteer Application Guide

Become a Festival Volunteer Today!

Contact Us

Production Support Volunteer

5. Prepare for the Festival

4. Scheduling and Training

3. Confirm Placement

2. Apply

1. Review Info

Volunteer, Production Crew, Assistant Prop Master

Volunteer, Production Crew, Crew Chief

Volunteer, Lead Gaffer

Volunteer, Production Crew, Gaffer

Volunteer, Production Crew, Assistant to Production Supervisor

Volunteer, Production Crew, Director of Photography

Volunteer, Post-Production Crew, Assistant Editor

Volunteer, Production Crew, Editor

Volunteer, Production Crew, Assistant Camera

Volunteer, Production Crew, Lead Assistant Camera

Volunteer, Production Crew, Prop Master

Volunteer, Production Crew, Script Supervisor

Volunteer, Production Crew Sound Mixer

Volunteer, Production Crew, Lead Sound Mixer

Flex and General Support Volunteer

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT OVERVIEW

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Endowment Support