Sundance Institute Alumni Program
A Community of Storytellers
Since 1981, Sundance Institute has fostered several generations of risk-taking, visionary artists in filmmaking, theatre, and innovative technologies through our labs, fellowships, grants, funds, and the Sundance Film Festival. Today, over 13,000 artists make up the Institute’s ever-growing alumni community, bound by a shared commitment to support independent storytelling.
Through the Alumni Program, Sundance Institute offers a continuum of support to artists throughout all stages of their careers, providing comprehensive resources that range from direct funding and industry access to professional development and peer-to-peer mentorship.
Alumni Resource Guide
Sundance Institute provides alumni access to a comprehensive list of resources outlined in eight core categories: financing, paid opportunities, professional development, industry access, service and volunteerism, status, philanthropy, and the Sundance Film Festival. To request information about the alumni resources listed below, please contact us at collective@sundance.org.
Sundance Film Festival
Opportunities at the Sundance Film Festival
Financial Support
Opportunities that lead to direct or indirect funding.
Sundance Institute Grants and Funds
Alumni are eligible for several grants offered by the Institute through many different artist programs and fellowships. Sundance Institute allocates over $3.6 million in grants and funds per year to support initiatives that range from diversity and inclusion to innovation and technology.
Catalyst Forum *by invitation only
Catalyst builds a culture of partnership between independent investors and filmmakers through a commitment to mutual understanding and business education. Each year, we endeavor to unlock funding for a slate of ambitious new independent film projects and to grow the community of supporters.
Women In Film Financing Intensive *by invitation only
Every spring, Women at Sundance and Women In Film Los Angeles present a Financing and Strategy Intensive designed to educate female filmmakers in all aspects of seeking, securing, and managing funding for their films.
Additional Funding Opportunities
Find additional funding opportunities provided by Sundance Institute and other organizations supporting independent storytelling via the Sundance Co//ab opportunities page.
Paid Opportunities
Co//ab Mentorship and Advising
Sundance Co//ab, the online platform for independent storytellers worldwide to learn, share, and connect, is expanding Sundance Institute’s artist-centered programs beyond residential labs. In less than a year, more than 20,000 artists from 189 countries have registered for access to the site’s many learning and community resources.
Central to the platform’s success are Institute alumni. To date, more than 200 alumni artists have shared their expertise in a myriad of roles, including course instructor, guest advisor, challenge judge, and webinar panelist.
If you would like to join your peers and contribute to Co//ab’s continued growth as a mentor or creative advisor, we invite you to complete this online form.
Paid Opportunities
Sundance Institute Jobs and Internships
Whether it’s through the daily operations of our offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Park City, or a temporary engagement through our Festival and labs, joining our team will give you an opportunity to serve an ever-growing network of risk-taking, innovative artists. As a Sundance Institute alum, your voice provides a unique perspective that helps us create sustainable strategies to advance our commitment to supporting independent storytelling.
Professional Development
Explore our archive of valuable templates, real-life samples, and written resources provided by Sundance Institute–supported artists.
Industry Access and Networking
Sundance Institute Talent Forum *by invitation only
Sundance Institute’s Talent Forum connects industry professionals with a diverse array of artists and projects from across the Institute’s renowned labs and Festival. Taking place over three days during the Sundance Film Festival, Talent Forum meaningfully advances the projects and careers of curated artists in fiction and nonfiction by offering a focused community, bespoke connections, and unique Festival access.
Industry Access and Networking
Peer-to-Peer Networking
Alumni can take advantage of personal email introductions among alumni across disciplines, generations, and regions; Sundance Institute also hosts a variety of networking events throughout the year. You’re also invited to join our alumni Facebook group, where you can connect with fellow alumni, discuss industry topics, and share resources.
Recognition for Supported Work
All films and projects showcased at the Sundance Film Festival are eligible for Festival laurels. For inquiries regarding laurels, please email us at laurels@sundance.org.
Service and Volunteerism
Lab Mentorships *by invitation only
Sundance Institute is proud of its alumni community and seeks to foster cross-generational, cross-program collaborations to advance the careers of independent artists. There are plenty of ongoing opportunities for alumni to get involved as mentors and creative advisors in our various programs.
Service and Volunteerism
Ignite Mentorships *by invitation only
Sundance Ignite identifies and supports young independent filmmakers ages 18-25 through a year-long fellowship and mentoring program and access to the Sundance Film Festival.
Mentors play a big part in the program, committing to supporting two fellows in the development of their craft and advancement of their careers. Mentors also help the Ignite team select 15 fellows each session.
Support Independent Storytelling
Opportunities to support independent artists..
Every dollar that goes to the nonprofit Sundance Institute goes to nurturing and growing the careers of independent storytellers the world over. Donations that come into the Institute make an immediate difference, as they’re immediately dispersed into our industry-leading artist development programs as well as vital grants and funds.
If you’re ready to support the next generation of independent storytellers, we encourage you to participate in giving back at a level that is right for you.
Contact
Alumni Relations
alumni@sundance.org