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Episodic Program

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Episodic

Program

Offering one of the few training grounds for independent voices to develop an original series and pilot script, the Sundance Institute Episodic Program provides artists with the tools, training, and industry access to move their projects and careers forward.

The proposal checklist outlines the application requirements for the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund’s Winter 2021 grant cycle. The application is now open and the deadline is July 26th 2021

Episodic Lab

The Sundance Institute Episodic Lab is a six-day program at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah that offers writers the opportunity to workshop a pilot script, while developing their writing and pitching skills. Working with accomplished showrunners, nonwriting creative producers, and executives, the Fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers’ rooms, which together provide an elevated creative strategy for their material from key industry players in positions to advance their projects and careers.

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Year-Round Continuum of Support

Following participation in the labs, fellows receive customized, year-round support from Sundance Institute staff with a focus on project development, securing representation, and staffing. This includes ongoing creative and strategic advice from the Episodic Program team targeted introductions to agents, managers, writers, producers, and executives; inclusion in our alumni program,the Sundance Institute Collective opportunities to observe the writers’ rooms of shows currently in production; and ongoing mentorship with episodic writers, directors, and producers.

Support for the Sundance Institute Episodic Program

As of September 2021

The Sundance Institute Episodic Program is made possible by founding supporters Lyn and Norman Lear and Cindy Harrell Horn and Alan Horn. Leadership supporters are AMC and SundanceTV, Comedy Central, Netflix, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, STARZ, and WarnerMedia.

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Application	The 2021 Episodic Lab application is currently closed. The 2022 application will be open from February 9–March 9, 2022.
Dates	Fall 2022
Size of Lab	Approximately 10 projects per lab
Location	Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah
Eligibility	Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at time of application. The project must be the applicant’s original creation or adapted from optioned source material. The project must be written in the English language, but it does not need to be intended to be fully produced in English. The project should be new, or if previously submitted, it must be materially different from any and all versions previously submitted to Sundance Institute. Projects may not be already produced,sold to a third party, or distributed online or otherwise. Applicants cannot have sold an episodic project (pilot or pitch) to a studio or network in the past that has been shot. The project shall not infringe the copyright or any other proprietary right of another individual or entity. The creator/applicant is responsible for all rights pertaining to the project.
The Application Process	There are two rounds in the application process: in round one, applicants are required to submit a five page writing sample from an original pilot script, their bio, a series logline, a series overview, their personal statement, a thematic statement, additional creative questions, and (optional) links to samples of previous work, along with a $40 nonrefundable processing fee. If selected for round two, applicants are notified by email and have two weeks to submit their full pilot script as well as up to three additional project ideas. For further details on the application process, please see our FAQ section below.
Description	The Sundance Institute Episodic Lab is a six-day program at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah that offers writers the opportunity to workshop a pilot script, while developing their writing and pitching skills. Working with accomplished showrunners, nonwriting creative producers, and executives, the Fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers’ rooms, which together provide an elevated creative strategy for their material from key industry players in positions to advance their projects and careers.

Application	The 2021 Episodic Lab application is currently closed. The 2022 application will be open from February 9–March 9, 2022.
Dates	November 11–14, 2021, and April 9–12, 2022.
Size of Lab	10 projects per lab
Location	TBD
Eligibility	Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at time of application. The project must be the applicant’s original creation or adapted from optioned source material. The project must be written in English but does not need to be intended to be fully produced in English. The project should be new, or if previously submitted, it must be materially different from any and all versions previously submitted to Sundance Institute, It cannot be already produced, not already sold to a third party, or distributed online or otherwise. The project shall not infringe the copyright or any other proprietary right of another individual or entity. The creator/applicant is responsible for all rights pertaining to the project.
Application Process	There are two rounds in the application process: in round one, applicants are required to submit the first five pages of an original pilot script, their bio, a series logline, a series overview, their personal statement, a thematic statement, and (optional) links to samples of previous work, along with a $40 nonrefundable processing fee. If selected for round two, applicants are notified by email and have two weeks to submit their full pilot script, and up to three additional project ideas. For further details on what the application process entails, please see our FAQ section below.
Description	The Episodic Lab: Idea to Pilot is designed to identify emerging independent voices, with the goal of developing an original episodic project from its inception. The program focuses on the craft of outlining, writing, and revising episodic material. During the lab, fellows participate in workshops with accomplished showrunners to sharpen their episodic storytelling skills. After the lab, fellows receive strategic and creative support from Sundance Institute staff and creative advisors. Part one of the Episodic Lab: Idea to Pilot will take place November 11– 14, 2021. For part two of the lab, fellows will reconvene in April with a new writing sample to participate in one-on-one story meetings, simulated writers’ rooms, and group conversations with industry mentors about project development, pitching, and the episodic landscape. Part two will take place April 9–12, 2022.

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Apply

Episodic Program

Episodic Lab

READ OUR FAQ >

Year-Round Continuum of Support

Support for the Sundance Institute Episodic Program

News & Stories

Why We Celebrate Indigenous Voices

2022 Sundance Film Festival: New Frontier Spans Biodigital Terrain, Blends Online & In-Person in Real Time

2022 Sundance Film Festival: New Local Lens Program to Provide Select Free Screenings and Offerings for Utah Residents Across the State

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Episodic Lab

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Episodic Lab: Idea to Pilot

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Endowment support

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Apply

Episodic Program

Episodic Lab

Year-Round Continuum of Support

Support for the Sundance Institute Episodic Program

News & Stories

Donate copy lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Episodic Lab

Still have questions about the Episodic Lab? Read our FAQ

Episodic Lab: Idea to Pilot

Still have questions about the Episodic Lab: Idea to Pilot? Read our FAQ.​

Endowment support

Still have questions about the Episodic Lab: Idea to Pilot? Read our FAQ.