Applicants to the Documentary Film Producers Track will be considered for two opportunities: Producers Lab and Fellowship (yearlong program, commencing July 2023) and the Producers Intensive (two-day program in Fall 2023).
The Documentary Producers Lab and Fellowship is a yearlong program designed to nurture emerging producers with project-specific support through the Producers Lab, Producers Summit, year-round mentorship from industry mentors, and ongoing support from Sundance Institute staff. The program is designed to hone emerging producers' creative instincts and evolve their communication and problem-solving skills at all stages of production. The Documentary Producers Lab is part of the Producers Track, which also includes the Producers Intensive.
The Producers Intensive provides emerging producers with the opportunity to hone their craft in a two-day concentrated workshop. The program provides creative, strategic, and professional development support for 10 fiction and nonfiction producers from traditionally underrepresented communities who are poised to take the next step in their filmmaking career. Like the residency lab, the Intensive features interactive group sessions and round table conversations with producer and industry advisors on topics including the producer/director collaboration, pitching, legal and business affairs, packaging and financing, budgeting, and fostering community among the participants.
There is a separate Producers Track application for producers working on a feature film. More information can be found about support for fiction projects on the Producers Program page.
Application Open: Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 9 a.m. PT
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 5 p.m. PT
Producers Lab Dates: July 24–27, 2023; Producers Summit: July 28–July 30, 2023
Number of Fellows: 5
Location: Sundance Mountain Resort
Producers Intensive dates: Late October 2023
Number of Fellows: 5
Location: Zoom
Eligibility Criteria:
Candidates are required to have produced or co-produced at least one documentary short (experience as an executive producer only does not qualify). Candidates must be lead producer on the project they are applying with.
Candidates should not be the director of their submitted project.
Candidates must have a director attached to the submitted project.
Candidates’ submitted project must be for a feature-length format; no series work accepted at this time. (Note: Nonfiction series projects are considered through the Episodic Lab. For more information, visit the program’s page here.)
Candidates must be in active production or post-production on the submitted project.
Candidates must live in the United States, though the project may be filmed outside of the country.
Candidates must be able to attend all fellowship events, as listed above.
Costs
The Sundance Institute will provide round-trip economy travel, ground transfer, and lodging for the selected fellows for the specific dates of attendance.
Deliverables
Fellows are required to acknowledge the Sundance Institute and the Producers Initiative support verbally where possible as well as within the end credits of the supported project.Fellows should be willing to give back to the Sundance Institute’s creative community through participation in panels and labs, and possible peer-to-peer mentorship. Accepted fellows must also provide a current producer’s agreement or memo of understanding for the project they have applied with.
NOTE: Only one application should be submitted per project. We will consider only the lead producer on the submitted project. If there are additional producers, they must also be disclosed on the application. Additional producers are welcome to select events but do not receive the full benefits of lab participation.
Further questions? Visit our 2023 FAQ page.
Still don’t see your question answered? Email us at docproducers@sundance.org with “2023 Documentary Producers Track” in the subject line.
2023 Documentary Film Producers Track Application
Applicants to the Documentary Film Producers Track will be considered for two opportunities: Producers Lab and Fellowship (yearlong program, commencing July 2023) and the Producers Intensive (two-day program in Fall 2023).
The Documentary Producers Lab and Fellowship is a yearlong program designed to nurture emerging producers with project-specific support through the Producers Lab, Producers Summit, year-round mentorship from industry mentors, and ongoing support from Sundance Institute staff. The program is designed to hone emerging producers' creative instincts and evolve their communication and problem-solving skills at all stages of production. The Documentary Producers Lab is part of the Producers Track, which also includes the Producers Intensive.
The Producers Intensive provides emerging producers with the opportunity to hone their craft in a two-day concentrated workshop. The program provides creative, strategic, and professional development support for 10 fiction and nonfiction producers from traditionally underrepresented communities who are poised to take the next step in their filmmaking career. Like the residency lab, the Intensive features interactive group sessions and round table conversations with producer and industry advisors on topics including the producer/director collaboration, pitching, legal and business affairs, packaging and financing, budgeting, and fostering community among the participants.
There is a separate Producers Track application for producers working on a feature film. More information can be found about support for fiction projects on the Producers Program page.
Application Open: Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 9 a.m. PT
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 5 p.m. PT
Producers Lab Dates: July 24–27, 2023; Producers Summit: July 28–July 30, 2023
Number of Fellows: 5
Location: Sundance Mountain Resort
Producers Intensive dates: Late October 2023
Number of Fellows: 5
Location: Zoom
Eligibility Criteria:
Candidates are required to have produced or co-produced at least one documentary short (experience as an executive producer only does not qualify). Candidates must be lead producer on the project they are applying with.
Candidates should not be the director of their submitted project.
Candidates must have a director attached to the submitted project.
Candidates’ submitted project must be for a feature-length format; no series work accepted at this time. (Note: Nonfiction series projects are considered through the Episodic Lab. For more information, visit the program’s page here.)
Candidates must be in active production or post-production on the submitted project.
Candidates must live in the United States, though the project may be filmed outside of the country.
Candidates must be able to attend all fellowship events, as listed above.
Costs
The Sundance Institute will provide round-trip economy travel, ground transfer, and lodging for the selected fellows for the specific dates of attendance.
Deliverables
Fellows are required to acknowledge the Sundance Institute and the Producers Initiative support verbally where possible as well as within the end credits of the supported project.Fellows should be willing to give back to the Sundance Institute’s creative community through participation in panels and labs, and possible peer-to-peer mentorship. Accepted fellows must also provide a current producer’s agreement or memo of understanding for the project they have applied with.
NOTE: Only one application should be submitted per project. We will consider only the lead producer on the submitted project. If there are additional producers, they must also be disclosed on the application. Additional producers are welcome to select events but do not receive the full benefits of lab participation.
Further questions? Visit our 2023 FAQ page.
Still don’t see your question answered? Email us at docproducers@sundance.org with “2023 Documentary Producers Track” in the subject line.