Welcome to Our Membership Program!

Imagine being an undiscovered artist with a groundbreaking story to tell but no means to tell it. For many such artists, Sundance Institute funds one-of-a-kind labs that enable them to work on new projects for up to a month at a time, with intensive one-on-one mentoring from expert advisors as they create the next wave of independent film and theatre.

We believe that a story driven by an authentic voice can awaken new ideas, push creative boundaries, and spark new levels of empathy and understanding. That's why we're intensely committed to cultivating artists as they develop new stories. The Institute has supported such seminal works as critically acclaimed features Fruitvale Station, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Reservoir Dogs; Academy Award–nominated documentaries Cartel Land and The Act of Killing; and Tony Award–winning plays Fun Home and Spring Awakening.

We can’t wait to see what’s next. Will you join us?

For more information, contact the Membership Desk at (310) 492-2301 or email membership@sundance.org.

This Month's Benefits

  • Don’t miss out!
    To receive notifications about your membership benefits, you must agree to receive emails from us. Email membership@sundance.org to update your preferences and make sure that you’re not missing out.

    Note: Opting out of these emails will cause you to lose access to notifications about any Festival benefits included in your membership, as well as perks like our annual Shorts Collection, and more.

    Final Draft Discount
    Take advantage of our Members-only Final Draft discounts. Email membership@sundance.org for your discount code.

    It’s Coming: The 2020 Shorts Collection
    The 2020 Shorts Collection is coming this November—exclusively for Members. Curated specifically for you by our shorts programmers, this collection brings some of our Festival favorites right into your home.

    20% off Sundance Film Festival Merchandise
    Members receive 20% off merchandise for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival starting in mid-November. To use your benefit at our online store, email membership@sundance.org for your discount code. (Pro-tip: Festival merch makes a great holiday gift!)

    For access to the benefits mentioned or to ask questions, please contact membership@sundance.org .


Membership Levels and Benefits

Become a Sundance Institute Member and join a community of like-minded individuals who believe in the power of great art. Free from commercial and political pressures, the Institute is able to support the screenwriters, directors, composers, and theatre artists whose work makes our world a more informed, inspired, and human place. We provide storytellers with the tools to refine their artistic process and help present their stories to audiences worldwide. Want to be part of it? Join Sundance Institute today.

As a Sundance Institute Member, you’ll receive special benefits, discounts and premiums we’ve put together just for you. Your membership ensures that the Sundance Institute will continue to enrich our culture and change the world - one story at a time.

Sundance Institute provides storytellers with the tools to refine their artistic process and help present their stories to audiences worldwide.

    • YEAR-ROUND BENEFITS

      • Invitations to special events
        • Members receive invitations to special events, including digital discussions, throughout the year.
      • Annual collection of short films from the Sundance Film Festival
        • Enjoy a collection of shorts selected for you by Sundance short film programmers. Films are distributed through a private email link.
      • Discount on purchase of Final Draft software
      • One waived application fee for a Sundance Institute lab (during a yearlong membership)
        • (Please contact membership@sundance.org for more information.) If you are interested in applying for a Sundance lab or submitting a film for the Festival, please note that you must choose one or the other, you cannot receive a waived/discounted fee for both.

      FESTIVAL BENEFITS

      Below are confirmed benefits for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. As the Festival approaches, we’ll be sure to keep you apprised of any updates and provide instruction for how to access your benefits. Thank you for your patience

      • Access to the 2021 Sundance Film Festival pre-sale, an opportunity to purchase passes and tickets ahead of the general public sale
      • 20% off all Sundance Film Festival merchandise
      • 50% off one early or official submission fee for the Sundance Film Festival (during a yearlong membership)
        • (Please contact membership@sundance.org for more information.) This discount only applies to early or official entries. It does not apply to late entries. If you are interested in applying for a Sundance lab or submitting a film for the Festival, please note that you must choose one or the other; you cannot receive a waived/discounted fee for both.
      Join
      Renew
      Benefits are subject to change

  • Members at the Supporter level get access to all Indie year-round and Festival benefits, plus all of the following.

    FESTIVAL BENEFITS

    Below are confirmed benefits for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. As the Festival approaches, we’ll be sure to keep you apprised of any updates, and provide instruction for how to access your benefits. Thank you for your patience.

    • Complimentary access to all Shorts, Indie Episodic, and New Frontier content available online

    Join

    Renew

    Benefits are subject to change

  • Members at the Storyteller level get access to all Supporter year-round and Festival benefits, plus all of the following.

    YEAR-ROUND BENEFITS

    • Recognition on our Sundance.org donor list

    FESTIVAL BENEFITS

    Below are confirmed benefits for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. As the Festival approaches, we’ll be sure to keep you apprised of any updates and provide instruction for how to access your benefits. Thank you for your patience.

    • Invites to select special online events, including our annual Festival Sneak Preview events in December.

    Join

    Renew

    Benefits are subject to change

  • If you’re interested in learning about how to deepen your investment in independent storytelling beyond Membership, consider joining Sundance Circle. With each gift, donors receive a suite of benefits to the Sundance Film Festival, so you can celebrate all the work that you have made possible.

  • Artist Circle offers a unique opportunity to engage with the work and programs of Sundance Institute that you are most passionate about. As the Artist Circle community enables us to fund mentorships, residential labs, and public programming for artists at the forefront of storytelling in film, theatre, and emerging media, they’ll connect with those artists along with Institute and industry leaders throughout the year. We invite you to join us as a true stakeholder in our mission to empower the independent voices that ignite new ideas and transform our culture.

    To discuss this opportunity or the areas of Sundance Institute’s work that are of most interest to you, please email giving@sundance.org or call (310) 492-2265.

  • Your gift to Sundance Institute could be matched dollar for dollar by your employer! Many employers 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 (310) 492-2301 or email membership@sundance.org.

Collaborators

Sundance Institute Membership would like to acknowledge all of its Collaborators:

Alamo Drafthouse, Belcourt Theatre, Enzian Theatre, Final Draft Software, Hollywood Theatre, International Film Series, The Loft, Michigan Theatre, The Music Box, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, The Palm, Pickford Film Center, Railroad Square Cinema, Salt Lake Film Society

Festival Member Benefits FAQ

*Please note that this section still contains information from the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. We’re currently working to update this section as we plan the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Members will receive updates when more information is available. Thank you for your patience.

    • How can I access the member pre-sale?
      The member pre-sale is online only and will be held on October 10 from noon to 8:00 p.m. MST. A link to the sale will be emailed to Supporter and Storyteller members on the morning of the 10th. Passes and packages may be purchased by current members only; all purchases will be verified. Purchases by nonmembers will be refunded. If you purchase a membership after the sale begins, you will receive the link to the sale in your confirmation email.
    • Am I unsubscribed?
      In order to access the pre-sale, you must subscribe to our Membership email list. If you have recently renewed or joined, and you have not received membership emails regarding your benefits, please contact the Membership Office and ask us how to update your email preferences.
    • What can I do if a pass or package sells out?
      Please be aware that the membership pre-sale has been given a specific allocation of passes and packages, and they are first-come, first-served until sold out. If an item sells out during the membership sale, it may be available again during the public sale. This may be likely for the 10-ticket package for the first half of the Festival, which will be January 23–28 for the 2020 Festival.
    • Is there a limit to how many passes and packages I can buy?
      Each member is limited to a total of one of each ticket package (for example, you may purchase one First Half, one Second Half, and one Salt Lake City Ticket Package, but you may not purchase two of the same package type). Storyteller members can purchase one exclusive 20-ticket package for either first or second half of Festival, but not for both. For passes, there is a limit of two per specific type of pass. Apart from these limits, there are no limits on the total amount of different passes or ticket packages you can buy.
    • Can I buy locals packages and passes during the member pre-sale?
      The Locals 10 Ticket Package, the Locals Salt Lake City Pass, and the Utah Student 10 Ticket Package will not be available during the member pre-sale; these will be sold only during the locals sale on October 15. However, the Grand Pass and the Salt Lake City Only 10 Ticket Package will be available during the member pre-sale.
    • Can I also participate in the locals and public sales?
      Members who are Utah locals may participate in the locals sale on October 15, and all members may also participate in the public sale beginning October 17. During these sales, you will not be allowed to purchase additional passes or packages of the same type that you have already purchased previously, but you may try for a package that you were not able to purchase during the member pre-sale.
    • Do I get priority access to choose my films?
      Storyteller members with a 20-ticket package receive a priority fulfillment time slot for that particular package. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer priority access to film selection for any additional ticket packages bought during the membership pre-sale. In December, you will receive information about how to log in to choose your films. Film selection usually occurs during the first week of January.
    • How can I participate in the special sale for Chase Sapphire cardholders?
      Chase is offering their Sapphire cardholders the ability to purchase a 10-ticket package through their sale. Chase will be reaching out to their clients directly, beginning with preferred cardholders. The package costs $600 and is good for the entire 10 days of the Festival. It also comes with two credentials and two awards party tickets.
    • How can I access the member pre-sale for individual tickets?
      The member individual ticket pre-sale is online only and will be held on January 14 for 8 hours ONLY (noon to 8:00 p.m. MST); a link to the sale will be emailed to you the morning of the 14th.
    • Is there a limit to how many tickets I can purchase?
      Each member can purchase up to 20 total tickets, including up to four per screening. Please be aware that even during the pre-sale some films may be sold out, with no tickets available. This is more common for screenings during the first half of the Festival, which will be January 23–28 for the 2020 Festival.
    • When do I need to join?
      To participate in the 2020 Festival pre-sale, you must sign-up for membership by January 12th
    • How can I participate in the special sale for Chase Sapphire cardholders?
      Chase is offering their Sapphire cardholders the ability to purchase a 10 Ticket Package. Chase will be reaching out to their clients directly, beginning with preferred cardholders. The package costs $600 and is good for the entire 10 days of the Festival. It also comes with two credentials and two awards party tickets. The sale begins October 22 starting at noon, ending at 4 p.m. MST October 24.
    • I'm a Sundance Circle member. Do I get to participate in the pre-sales?
      As a Sundance Circle member, you receive access to the Member individual tickets pre-sale on January 14th. Sale instructions will be emailed as the date approaches. For more information, please email SundanceCircle@sundance.org.
    • Special Member Screenings
      Members can enjoy 2 exclusive screenings during the 2020 Festival. Screening titles and details will be announced as the Festival approaches.
      • Can I bring a guest?
        Yes, members will be allowed to bring a guest. If you would like to bring more than one guest, please contact membership@sundance.org. We will accommodate additional people as space provides.
      • Can I attend more than one screening?
        Yes, members can RSVP to both screenings.
      • How do I get my tickets to attend?
        You can retrieve your tickets starting at 45 minutes before each screening. Tickets are distributed on a first come, first served basis and you must RSVP in order to receive a ticket.
    • Members Get 20% off Festival Merchandise
      Navigate the Festival in style. To receive 20% off Festival merchandise, please be sure to present your member welcome email at our Festival merchandise stores. If you cannot find your welcome email, please contact membership@sundance.org for an alternative option.
    • How can I contact the Membership Desk during the Festival?
      The Membership Desk can be contacted via email at membership@sundance.org. Please note that due to heavy traffic, there may be a delay in responding, but we will get through all emails as quickly as possible.
    • How do I attend the member events before and during the Festival?
      Members will receive an invitation to RSVP to all events for their membership level.
      • Festival Sneak Preview (formerly known as Cocktails with Cooper)—All Storyteller members are invited to attend Sundance Circle’s premier pre-Festival event that gives an inside look into the Festival films before film selection in January. Festival Sneak Preview is held in the beginning of December in Los Angeles, Park City, San Francisco, and New York.
      • Member Screenings—All members will receive invites to 2 members-only screenings during Festival. Invites will be sent in January 2020.