Membership & Patron Circle
Membership &
Patron Circle
Our community of supporters resemble the artists they champion – dynamic, committed, and diverse – which is why there are many ways to support Sundance Institute. Whether you’re an individual donor interested in joining Patron Circle for an enhanced Festival experience of exclusive access, or someone who is interested in artist conversations and special screenings, Sundance Institute connects you to the artists and programs you are most eager to support. Your investment preserves the work of artists allowing thoughtful, provocative, and independent voices to flourish.
For all Membership questions, please contact: membership@sundance.org
For all Patron Circle questions, please contact: sundancecircle@sundance.org
We are pleased to accept donations via mail at:
Sundance Institute
Attn: Accounting, Patron Circle
PO Box 684429
Park City, UT 84068-4429
We do not accept payments via Paypal.
All Membership and Patron Circle gifts are for one (1) year from the date of activation.
All benefits are subject to change at any time.
Membership Levels and Benefits
Championing independent filmmakers and introducing new audiences to their work is the heart of our mission at Sundance Institute. We do this through transformative artist programs, unique industry mentorship opportunities, and critical filmmaking grants — initiatives all funded by the Institute with your support.
All Membership levels* receive the following year-round and Festival benefits (Indie, Innovator, Supporter, and Storyteller):
- Sundance Film Festival Single Film Ticket Pre-Sale: Members receive access to the Single Film Ticket Pre-Sale before tickets are made available to the general public.
- Membership must be current to take advantage of this exclusive access.
- Members must join or renew their Membership by January 11, 2026, for access to the Single Film Ticket Pre-Sale.
- Sundance Film Festival Submission Fees: Members receive 50% off one (1) early or official submission fee for your film submission to the Sundance Film Festival.
- This discount does not apply to late entries.
- Those interested in applying for a Sundance artist program lab or submitting a film for the Festival, please note that you must choose one (1). You cannot receive a waived/discounted fee for both.
- Sundance Artist Program Labs: Members receive one (1) waived application fee for a Sundance Institute artist program lab.
- Those interested in applying for a Sundance lab or submitting a film for the Festival, please note that you must choose one (1). You cannot receive a waived/discounted fee for both.
- Sundance Merchandise: Members receive 20% off Sundance Film Festival merchandise via our website and at merch stores on-site in Park City during the Festival.
- Discount code will be included in your Welcome Email after you join or renew.
- Inside the Sundance Archives: A monthly newsletter that gives a behind-the-scenes look into Sundance’s vault of photos, posters, videos, and memories from the past 40+ years.
- How to Fest Digital Event: Members receive an invitation to attend this digital event that walks you through navigating the Festival website and how to purchase tickets.
- How to Fest digital packet will be emailed to all current Members post-event. The packet will include Festival information including venues, events, parking, and much more.
- Event Invitations: Be the first to know about any upcoming Sundance special events and artist conversations (in-person and virtual) throughout the year.
- Utah Screenings and Events: Invitation to attend our weeklong Local Lens screening series every summer with special guests and artists in attendance.
- Partnerships: Special offers and discounts from our partners throughout the year are provided to our donors when available.This can include partner screenings and events and/or artist and filmmaking resources.
- Advanced Ticket Access: Opportunity to purchase tickets to screenings and events when scheduled and available before the general public.
Indie Members receive all of the above year-round and Festival benefits PLUS:
- Inclusion in Sundance Collab: Sundance Collab is Sundance Institute’s online artist community. You will receive the Sundance Collab newsletter as well as invitations to upcoming artist conversations, workshops, and Master Class opportunities hosted by filmmakers and industry professionals.
- Sundance Collab Master Class: Discount on one (1) Master Class.
- 25% off discount.
- Discount code will be provided to you via email.
- Sundance Collab On-Demand Course: Discount on one (1) course.
- 25% off discount.
- Discount code will be provided to you via email.
- Supporter Shorts: Enjoy this year-long series of 12 short films from previous Festivals curated for you by Sundance Institute short film programmers.
- Films are distributed through a private email link once a month
All Members at the Innovator, Supporter, and Storyteller levels receive the above year-round and Festival benefits offered to all Members PLUS:
- Sundance Collab Master Class: Discount on one (1) Master Class.
- 50% off discount.
- Discount code will be provided to you via email.
- Sundance Collab On-Demand Course: Discount on one (1) course.
- 25% off discount.
- Discount code will be provided to you via email.
- Festival Pass and Package Pre-Sale: Members receive access to a Pass and Package Pre-Sale ahead of the general public and have the ability to purchase ticket packages above the general public limit (Date TBA, mid-October 2025).
- Memberships must be current to take advantage of this exclusive benefit.
- Members must join or renew by October 11, 2025, to take part in the Pass and Package Pre-Sale (Date TBA).
- Innovator Members may purchase up to two (2) Festival Packages (total of 20 tickets).
Festival Package Fulfillment
Members who purchased a package will have the opportunity to select their screenings before tickets are made available to the general public in early January 2026.
Members must join or renew by January 1, 2026 for access to fulfill their packages.
- Discounted Festival Tickets: Members receive the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to select screenings when available during the Festival.
- Members will receive an email notification during the Festival regarding which screenings have discounted tickets for purchase.
- Development Office: Access to the Development Office at Festival Headquarters for customer support and box office services during the Sundance Film Festival.
- Festival Tote Bag** specially designed for donors.
- Printable Festival Film Guide
Supporter Members receive all of the above year-round and Festival benefits offered to all Members PLUS specific benefits for your level:
- Sundance Collab Master Class: Discount on one (1) Master Class.
- 50% off discount.
- Discount code will be provided to you via email.
- Sundance Collab On-Demand Course: Discount on one (1) course.
- 50% off discount.
- Discount code will be provided to you via email.
- Private Donor Screening: Invitation for you and a guest to attend a private donor screening during the Festival (Date TBA, January 2025).
Festival Package Fulfillment
Members who purchased a package will have the opportunity to select their screenings before tickets are made available to the general public in early January 2026.
Members must join or renew by January 1, 2026 for access to fulfill their packages.
Supporter Members may purchase up to three (3) Festival Packages (total of 30 tickets).
Festival Poster.**
Storyteller Members receive all of the above year-round and Festival benefits offered to all Members PLUS specific benefits for your level:
- Sundance Collab Master Class:
- Access to ALL live and recorded Master Classes.
- Access code will be provided to you via email.
- Sundance Collab On-Demand Course: Discount on one (1) course.
- 50% off discount.
- Discount code will be provided to you via email.
Festival Package Fulfillment
Members who purchased a package will have the opportunity to select their screenings before tickets are made available to the general public in early January 2026.
Members must join or renew by January 1, 2026 for access to fulfill their packages.
Storyteller Members may purchase up to four (4) Festival Packages (total of 40 tickets).
- Festival Sneak Preview Event: Invitation for you and a guest to attend the annual Sundance Film Festival Sneak Preview event hosted by the Festival director.
- Festival Opening Night Gala: Members receive advance opportunity to purchase gala tables and/or single tickets to the Sundance Film Festival Opening Night Gala before the general public.
- Festival Gift**:
- Storyteller Members receive a specially made gift just for you! For the 2024 Festival it was the limited 40th Edition pin. We can’t wait to surprise you with your special gift at the 2026 Festival!
*Memberships are for one (1) year from the date of activation. All benefits are subject to change at any time.
**Items must be picked up from the Development Office at Festival Headquarters during business hours of the Sundance Film Festival (Location and hours will be emailed in early January 2026).
Patron Circle Levels and Benefits
Created for independent film and arts enthusiasts, Patron Circle brings our community of generous supporters together with artists and Institute leadership through premium access to the Sundance Film Festival, monthly digital and in-person events, and opportunities to observe the Sundance artist labs. At the Sundance Film Festival, Patron Circle Patrons receive invitations to private events, access to exclusive passes and tickets, and personal assistance in planning their Festival experience. Throughout the year, they receive opportunities to personally connect with the artists whose work they champion.
All Patron Circle Patrons* enjoy the following year-round and Festival benefits (Advocate, Guardian, Champion, Visionary, and Luminary):
- Private Donor Screening: Invitation for you and a guest to attend a private donor screening during the Festival (Date TBA, January 2026).
- Advance Package Access: Advanced opportunity to purchase passes and packages before the general public (Date TBA, mid-October 2025).
- Advance Package Fulfillment: Advanced opportunity to fulfill ticket packages and purchase single tickets before the general public. Package fulfillment for Patron Circle Members begins early January 2026. Patron Circle Members must join or renew by January 1, 2026.
- Development Office: Access to the Development Office at Festival Headquarters for customer support and box office services during the Sundance Film Festival.
- Sundance Merchandise: Patrons receive 20% off Sundance Film Festival merchandise via our website and at merch stores on-site in Park City during the Festival.
- Discount code shared via email.
- How to Fest Digital Event: Donors receive an invitation to attend this digital event that walks you through navigating the Festival website and how to purchase tickets.
- How to Fest digital packet will be emailed to all current Patrons post-event. The packet will include Festival information including venues, events, ticketing, parking, shuttle service, and much more.
- How to Fest digital packet will be emailed to all current Patrons post-event. The packet will include Festival information including venues, events, ticketing, parking, shuttle service, and much more.
- Festival Tote Bag** specially designed for donors.
- Artist Engagement: Opportunities for you and a guest to connect with Festival artists and leadership.
- Insider Festival News: Curated Festival experience created in partnership with Sundance programmers and creative leaders.
- Special Events: Invitations for you and a guest to attend private events and screenings with Sundance artists and leaders throughout the year (in-person and virtual), available exclusively through Patron Circle.
- Opening Night Gala: Advanced opportunity to purchase Sundance Film Festival Opening Night Gala tables and/or single tickets before the general public.
- Festival Sneak Preview: Invitation for you and a guest to attend the private Sneak Preview event hosted by the Festival director (Date TBA).
- Festival Gift:
- For the 2024 Festival, it was the 40th Edition pin. We’ll be sure to surprise you with something special for the 2026 Festival!*
Advocate donors receive all of the above Patron Circle year-round and Festival benefits offered to all Patrons PLUS specific benefits for your level:
- Festival Packages: Patron Circle Patrons enjoy greater access to Festival Packages (10 tickets per package), allowing them to purchase the following number of packages at each level:
- Advocate: 5 packages maximum.
- Festival Packages: Patron Circle Patrons enjoy greater access to Festival Packages (10 tickets per package), allowing them to purchase the following number of packages at each level:
- Guardian: 6 packages maximum.
- Full Festival and First Half Express Passes: These passes are available exclusively through Patron Circle. Guardian Patrons may purchase:
- 2 Full Festival Passes OR 2 First Half Express Passes
Champion donors receive all of the above Patron Circle year-round and Festival benefits offered to all Patrons PLUS specific benefits for your level:
- Festival Packages: Patron Circle Patrons enjoy greater access to Festival Packages (10 tickets per package), allowing them to purchase the following number of packages at each level:
- Champion: 6 packages maximum.
- Full Festival and First Half Express Passes: These passes are available exclusively through Patron Circle. Champion Patrons may purchase:
- Champion: 2 Full Festival Passes AND 2 First Half Express Passes.
- Sundance Artist Program Labs: Invitation for you and a guest to attend the annual Sundance Artist Program Labs.
- Recognition: Recognition on screen before every film during the Sundance Film Festival and in all Festival and Institute publications, when printed.
Visionary donors receive all of the above Patron Circle year-round and Festival benefits offered to all Patrons PLUS specific benefits for your level:
- Festival Packages: Patron Circle Patrons enjoy greater access to Festival Packages (10 tickets per package), allowing them to purchase the following number of packages at each level:
- Visionary: 8 packages maximum.
- Full Festival and First Half Express Passes: These passes are available exclusively through Patron Circle. Visionary Patrons may purchase:
- Visionary: 4 Full Festival Passes AND 4 First Half Express Passes.
- Donor Concierge Services: NEW Benefit for Patron Circle Patrons! This exclusive benefit is for our Patron Circle Patrons at the Visionary and Luminary levels.
- Sundance Institute provides exclusive access and expertise to our donors by offering an easy, efficient, and seamless curation of your Festival experience, specifically concerning your screening tickets at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts in Park City during the Festival.
- The Donor Concierge Services benefit will make your life a bit easier by providing you with a team member to personally manage your Festival experience from start to finish. Plus, for our Festival passholders, we will hand deliver the items you will need for the Festival.
- You will work directly with a Donor Concierge Services Team Member who will personally answer all of your questions, walk you through the film program guide, and manage the scheduling and processing of your single film ticket orders and ticket package fulfillment needs.
- There will be a designated Donor Concierge Services area at the Eccles Center in Park City during the Festival where you will be greeted by a theater team member, personally walked into the venue, and shown to the exclusive donor section of seats.
- Recognition: Recognition on screen before every film during the Sundance Film Festival and in all Festival and Institute publications, when printed.
Luminary donors receive all of the above Patron Circle year-round and Festival benefits offered to all Patrons PLUS specific benefits for your level:
- Festival Packages: Patron Circle Patrons enjoy greater access to Festival Packages (10 tickets per package), allowing them to purchase the following number of packages at each level:
- Luminary: 8 packages maximum.
- Full Festival and First Half Express Passes: These passes are available exclusively through Patron Circle. Luminary Patrons have the incredible access and opportunity to customize the number of passes purchased.
- Donor Concierge Services: NEW Benefit for Patron Circle Patrons! This exclusive benefit is for our Patron Circle Patrons at the Visionary and Luminary levels.
- Sundance Institute provides exclusive access and expertise to our donors by offering an easy, efficient, and seamless curation of your Festival experience, specifically concerning your screening tickets at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts in Park City during the Festival.
- The Donor Concierge Services benefit will make your life a bit easier by providing you with a team member to personally manage your Festival experience from start to finish. Plus, for our Festival passholders, we will hand deliver the items you will need for the Festival.
- You will work directly with a Donor Concierge Services Team Member who will personally answer all of your questions, walk you through the film program guide, and manage the scheduling and processing of your single film ticket orders and ticket package fulfillment needs.
- There will be a designated Donor Concierge Services area at the Eccles Center in Park City during the Festival where you will be greeted by a theater team member, personally walked into the venue, and shown to the exclusive donor section of seats.
- Artist Support: Direct a portion of funds from your gift to a Sundance artist program of your choice (including Feature Film, Documentary, or Festival) and engage personally with this work.
*All Patron Circle gifts are for one (1) year from the date of activation. All benefits are subject to change at any time.
For any questions regarding Patron Circle or about curating your upcoming Festival experience, please contact sundancecircle@sundance.org.
Matching Gifts
Your gift to Sundance Institute could be matched dollar for dollar by your employer! Many companies sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees and/or their spouses. If you are unsure if your employer offers matching gifts, please contact us directly at membership@sundance.org.
Support Sundance Institute
From Individual Donors to Sundance Institute Members and Foundations to Corporate Sponsors, we thank you for your commitment to our mission to advance the work of artists in film, theatre, and music and to promote these important voices in society.
As of February 2021