Catalyst

Catalyst is Sundance Institute’s film financing arm. Through our year-round program, we aim to build a culture of partnership between independent investors and filmmakers; to unlock funding for ambitious new independent films; and to engage our community in supporting the independent film ecosystem.

Catalyst Investor Track

Catalyst’s year-round investor track serves new and experienced film funders through educational and cultural programming, highly curated financing opportunities, and ongoing engagement with the wider Sundance community to address challenges and solutions in the independent film industry. We offer investors a guided entry into film financing, personalized support, and a unique community experience featuring industry talks, social events, and access to exceptional projects and filmmakers.

Catalyst Filmmaker Track

Catalyst’s filmmaker track offers tailored guidance to emerging and established producers and directors on how to develop financing plans, build successful investor relationships, and effectively present projects for independent financing. We work with selected filmmakers through a rigorous, custom prep program in anticipation of Catalyst Forum and similar financing events, and we provide them with continued bespoke support throughout the lives of their projects.

Catalyst Forum

At the center of it all is Catalyst Forum, an annual, multi-day retreat that introduces the Catalyst Investors—a group of about 45 film funders including grantors, individuals and companies—to a curated slate of 8–10 fiction and documentary features seeking production financing. Information on how filmmakers can apply for Catalyst Forum can be found below.

Since its founding in 2013, over $60 million has been raised to support more than 150 fiction and nonfiction features through Catalyst. Supported projects include Sorry To Bother You, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, Chasing Coral, The Witch, The Social Dilemma, Little Woods, The Infiltrators, Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, Sugarcane, and The President’s Cake.

Catalyst Forum Project Criteria

Catalyst is an invitation-only opportunity for feature-length fiction and nonfiction film projects. At the time of application, projects must meet our eligibility requirements, which include:

Feature film project seeking independent production financing, Documentary or Fiction
Film Team must have a Director and Producer attached
Budgets up to $3M, though we may consider fiction films up to $5M on a case-by-case basis
International Projects: international projects and/or international co-productions are eligible to apply

Application Process and Timeline

Catalyst Forum requires a two-step application process.

Step 1: Submit a Pre-Application, open to all filmmakers. This form is used to determine project eligibility and ensure applicants have a path to the final program.
Step 2: Submit an Official Catalyst Forum Application, solicited by invitation only. The program invites a select group of Pre-Applicants to move to the next stage and submit an Official Catalyst Forum Application.

Catalyst Forum Timeline

The Catalyst application is closed. We will reopen submissions in Summer 2027 for the 2028 Catalyst Forum.

To inquire about the program or share an eligible project with us, contact catalyst@sundance.org.

How to Apply: To request the Pre-Application, please contact catalyst@sundance.org. Please keep in mind the timeline below.

Pre-Application Period

June 8 – August 19, 2026

Pre-Application Regular Deadline

July 24

Pre-Application Late Deadline

August 19

Official Application Opens

August 13, 2026

Official Application Deadline

September 23, 2026

Projects Selected

December 2026

Filmmaker Prep Program

January – March 2027

Catalyst Forum

March 31 – April 3, 2027

*Invitations to submit an Official Application are issued on a rolling basis during the Pre-Application Period. We strongly encourage film teams to submit their Pre-Applications by the Regular Deadline.