Working At Sundance

Careers

Write your story
with Sundance!

In 1981, Robert Redford started Sundance Institute in the mountains of Utah with 15 artists and an idea. Since then, the nonprofit Institute has funded one-of-a-kind labs, the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival, and other leading programs dedicated to giving a voice to independent storytellers.

Be a part of our work in action. Join the team creating our unwavering platform for artists from around the globe.

  • Sundance Institute was founded on the notion that by awakening new ideas, pushing creative boundaries, and creating a space for independent artists to share their work, we could make social change a part of our everyday life. Behind the scenes, we know that it takes the right environment and people to create big ideas. All of us at the Institute commit ourselves to this vision by upholding our core values:

    • Build open and honest relationships.
    • Be creative and open-minded.
    • Connect and engage.
    • Work rigorously and skillfully.

  • We connect with each other because of our shared passion about the meaningful work we do, and whether during the workday or away from the office (or even on our Salt Lake–Park City vanpool), there’s always an opportunity to get to know your team better. Some of our favorite bonding moments include:

    • Weekly short-film breaks
    • "Beer and Cheetos" breaks during Festival season
    • Summer softball teams (the Meerkats in LA and Jackals in Park City)
    • A bowling league
    • Informal pub-trivia teams

  • Our work is about more than just getting the job done. We hope you’ll take advantage of opportunities to engage with the Festival, our other programs, the greater artistic world, and the local community.

    • Festival access: All Institute and Festival employees get insider access to the world-class Sundance Film Festival. And while our work is the priority, we hope you’ll get to enjoy your perks, including a staff credential, an official staff jacket, complimentary screening tickets, advanced ticket selection, and, depending on your position, lodging in Park City during the 10-day Festival.
    • Artists at the office: Periodically, we invite Sundance Institute–supported artists into the office for an informal discussion, providing a unique chance to interact with the storytellers we work so hard to champion.
    • Park City outdoors: Our Park City office boasts access to world-class outdoor recreation, with a ski lift, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails just outside the front door.

Perks & Benefits

  • Our employees are deeply invested in the Institute, and we strive to invest in them. Permanent, full-time Institute employees enjoy:

    • Health and dental insurance
    • Optional flexible spending account
    • Life, accident, and disability insurance
    • A retirement savings plan with an automatic 7% employer contribution after one year
    • Paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays (including a Festival break and floating holidays)
    • Access to funds for professional development

  • The office should be a place where you feel comfortable—and it doesn’t hurt to get a few extra perks while you’re here. Here are some added bonuses we provide to make your workday that much sweeter:

    • Casual dress code
    • Dog-friendly office (in Park City and New York)
    • Work-from-home Fridays, May-August, as applicable
    • Weekly short-film breaks and winter Rootbeer and Cheetos gatherings
    • Free employee vanpool (for Park City staff living in Salt Lake City, as space permits) and transit reimbursement (in New York and LA)
    • Staff complimentary film tickets to the Sundance Film Festival and access to a world-renowned event
    • Discounts with our affiliates (Sundance Catalog and Sundance Resort) to full time, year-round employees

FAQ

  • What types of positions are available?
    Institute jobs are permanent, full-time positions in all departments of Sundance Institute in our Park City, Los Angeles, and New York offices.

    Film Festival positions are full-time, short-term roles spanning anywhere from one week to nine months during the fall and winter, based in Park City or Los Angeles. Openings are posted in late summer through fall.

    Lab positions are full-time, short-term jobs supporting the operations of the Institute’s artist programs in Utah from spring through fall. Openings are typically posted in January.

    Internships are usually part-time assignments, can be paid or unpaid, and are available in a variety of departments throughout our three offices.

    Additionally, volunteer positions are available for varying lengths of time during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, our festivals in London and Los Angeles, and our summer labs in the Utah mountains. See more details at sundance.org/volunteer.

    I just submitted my application. What happens next?
    Thank you for applying! Our team will review your application and get back to you if there is a potential fit.

    I’ve applied for an opening and haven’t heard anything back. How can I find the status of my application?
    We do our best to keep our jobs page up to date. If a position is still listed on our website, we are still accepting applications. If you have further questions, you can email us at hr@sundance.org.

    How long does the interview process take?
    The timeline varies depending on the position and the departments involved. However, we do notify all candidates of their status no matter the outcome.

    I want to apply for multiple positions. Does that hurt my chances?
    If you are interested in multiple positions, we ask that you submit an application for each job that matches your skill set.

    Does Sundance Institute offer a benefits package?
    Yes; however, benefits vary by position. Each job listing will indicate if the position is eligible for benefits.

    Does Sundance Institute hire international applicants?
    Yes. Applicants must have a current and valid work authorization in the US; we do not sponsor employees for work authorization. However, our unpaid internships and volunteer opportunities do not require work authorization.

  • If I am hired to work for a Sundance Film Festival position in Park City and I am coming from out of state, will housing be provided?
    Sundance Institute is unable to provide long-term employee housing. Once you are hired, we can point out some local resources for finding housing, but employees are ultimately responsible for their own living arrangements. During the 10-day Festival, some positions are provided with temporary housing in Park City.

    Will I be required to work during the holidays and weekends?
    It depends on the position, but most roles do require extended hours, including holidays and weekends during the Festival season.

    Will I get to see films during the Festival?
    The opportunity to see films varies depending upon workload, though all staff do receive a number of complimentary tickets and a Festival credential.

  • The job description says I may be required to live on site at Sundance Mountain Resort for a certain amount of time, but I live nearby. Can I just commute?
    Unfortunately, no. Due to the nature of the work at the labs, we want our staff to be able to live on the mountain with the rest of our team.

    I’d love to live at the resort to work for the labs. Can I bring my partner/pet/family member?
    Because staff lodging is in shared homes, we have to restrict visitors. Additionally, pets are not allowed at the resort.

    I’m an aspiring filmmaker/writer/actor. Will I have access to share my projects with the artists attending the labs?
    Our mission is to provide the artists we are supporting with the space to be creative. Because of this, we want to respect boundaries. It is not appropriate to use your position for personal gain.

    What can I expect for work-life balance when working at the labs?
    Because the work hours can fluctuate significantly, our staff are required to live and work at the labs. The lab positions require a lot of long days and nontraditional hours. However, we try our best to make sure that everyone gets at least a day and a half off the mountain each week for rest and recovery.

  • How far is the drive from Salt Lake City to Park City?
    Driving from the Salt Lake Valley to the Park City office typically takes about 40 minutes, though winter weather may sometimes affect your commute.

    Is there public transportation from Salt Lake City to Park City?
    Yes, the Utah Transit Authority runs a bus with limited service from the Salt Lake Valley to Park City.

    As an added service, Sundance Institute provides the opportunity to sign up for a spot on our daily staff vanpool from Salt Lake CIty to Park City, available as space permits. We also encourage carpooling to save on commuting costs, reduce environmental impact, and help alleviate parking constraints during the busy season.

  • Is Sundance Institute affiliated with the Sundance Catalog, Sundance Mountain Resort, SundanceTV, or Sundance Now?
    The Sundance Group is a collective of nonprofit and for-profit entities that share a commitment to independent expression, original thinking, and the natural environment. It is composed of Sundance Institute, the Sundance Catalog, Sundance Mountain Resort, SundanceTV, and Sundance Now. However each entity operates independently.

Sundance Institute participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture, and we do not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws. The Institute will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.