Sundance Institute – Pushing the Boundaries of Independent Filmmaking and Storytelling

Where it all started?

During his countryside visit, Robert Redfort came across a majestic remote landscape “Provo Canyon”. Inspired by its wilderness and serenity Robert considered it an ideal location for practicing the art of storytelling and filmmaking.

He bought five thousand acres of this land and named it Sundance. Later he opened Sundance Mountain Resort here for public access.

Sundance Institute

Established in 1980, the Sundance institute provided a platform for the young, enthusiastic storytellers and independent artists to polish their skills. Robert gathered his colleagues and arranged the very first meeting to ensure if Sundance could nurture independent film making and help promote its growth in the future.

In 1981 the first Sundance lab of its own kind was conducted.15 independent filmmakers experimented and presented their ideas to the jury. Sydney Pollack and Waldo Salt motivated young filmmakers to put forward their unique ideas using creative and unconventional storytelling methods.

El Norte was the first film launched from this platform in 1983. It portrayed the struggle of unregistered Guatemala immigrants to settle down in the United States. This engaging and soul-stirring film was nominated for best writing in Academy Awards.

After a series of successful films, this independent film institute gained both recognition and audience.

In 1985 to reach out for more young and bright minds Sundance took the next big step. This led to the arrangement of the first film festival now known as the Sundance film festival.

Sundance Community

From independent artists, filmmakers, festival volunteers, employees to festival attendees, Sundance is a huge community of diverse participants and art connoisseurs.

There are two film institutes in Utah, one is the parent organization and the second is its affiliated Park City film institute located in Silver Creek, Park City. At present Sundance Institute staff is comprised of 128 hardworking and dedicated individuals working on the mission to support the innovative and original ideas of new independent artists.

To gain the professional insight of senior Sundance artists, Sundance institute initiated the Artist Trustees program in 2003. The following are the names of most esteemed Sundance alumni artists whose guidance helps the organization to outgrow the conventional filmmaking methods.

Opportunities at Sundance

Today the influence of this non-profit organization has attracted a huge base of domestic and international independent filmmakers. With diverse filmmaking programs taking place every year, Sundance exposes emerging artists to the creative dimension of filmmaking and original storytelling.

Sundance Institute internship program provides a chance for trainees to explore their respective interests in diverse genres of the independent film industry. This also introduces them to the organization’s healthy culture. Hence making sure every intern learns to work with the experienced artists on a professional platform by sharing their own ideas at their internship at Sundance.

Programs at Sundance Institute

Various programs conducted by Sundance Institute throughout the year include:

Feature Film Program

Initiated 35 years ago, Feature Film program promotes cultural and artistic influences on independent film making. The vibrant and distinctive voices of new filmmakers are conveyed through the creative feature film program arranged every June and July. Few of the 400 most impactful feature films released so far include:

Instructions for applicants who wish to be a part of this prestigious program are available on the official page.

Documentary Film

In 2002 documentary film program was launched in cooperation with Open Society Foundations to support the production of Non-fiction movies. This program invites new filmmakers to experiment and learn under the supervision of the filmmaking community of experienced non-fiction storytellers. Latest projects include the following Sundance movies:

If you want to be a part of the most extraordinary group of filmmakers and participate in workshops of the Documentary film program, apply for the Documentary Fellowship program.

New Frontier

Fiction, Nonfiction, and dynamic storytelling are offered under the New Frontier program. The new frontier Exhibition has been taking place since 2007. Every year it invites young artists belonging to the field of Arts, Music, Media, Live Performance and technology to engage in the most rigorous learning techniques and helps promote their skills. New Frontier Story Lab Program takes place during May every year.

Film Music

Film Music program intends to diversify the field of arts and music by inviting young music composers and directors to take part in the film music lab. For 2019 intake, The film music program is currently accepting applications.

Indigenous Film Program

Merata Mita Scholarship and Full Circle scholarships are arranged under the Indigenous Film Program. Prodigies having unique ideas are invited to share their outlook and polish their skills here.

Theater

Sundance Institute ParkCity, Utah has an old history of supporting theater programs in the United States. Taking place every interim the purpose of theater program is to support, motivate and nurture theater-development at domestic and international levels.

Wondering if Sundance theater just the right place for you? Learn more about the Application submission criteria.

Creative Producing

No skill parallels the passion-driven hard work, Sundance Institute believes in refining the young talent. In Creative Producing Labs latest technological equipment is employed under the supervision of world-class producers. Unfortunately, applications for 2019 are now closed.

Creative Distribution

Creative Distributive initiative helps the young storytellers learn new techniques to bridge the gap between the audience and themselves. Fundings are provided for the new storytellers to kick start their career.

Episodic Programs

The episodic program offers artists the most optimal tools and training grounds to develop engaging story plots. There are multiple workshops and labs dedicated to this program.

Ignite

To keep a steady pace with the latest storytelling and filmmaking requirements Ignite program was launched in collaboration with Adobe in 2015. Ignite intends to provide the right culture to nourish young minds having potential.

Catalyst

Catalyst is an initiative to connect the funders with the innovative projects of the Sundance Institute. Catalyst has helped in raising $28 million during the last six years through documentaries and feature films.

Women at Sundance

All programs at Sundance offer a vast variety of Sundance institute jobs. Whereas Women at Sundance provides an exclusive opportunity to all working ladies to explore their potential in the film-making industry.

Current Openings at Sundance Institute

Among the recent deadlines following artist opportunities at Sundance Institute are open:

Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Festival has spread its network at four major locations, Salt Lake City, ParkCity, Utah and Sundance Mountain Resort.

Sundance has always worked towards establishing grounds for young talent and independent artists to speak their minds through their art. Sundance international festival is of 10 days.

Sundance film festival 2020 will be happening from 23^rd Jan to 2^ndFeb. Sundance tickets can be bought online or from box offices located near theaters and venues.

To promote innovative independent movie production and motivate young artists to excel in their careers, Sundance Awards ceremonies take place at the end of every festival.