This application is now closed to the public.
We accept all application materials electronically ONLY. You will have a chance to save a work-in-progress version of your application before officially submitting.
You must sign in or create an account to access the electronic application. When creating your account, please enter the name of the primary applicant (screenwriter) as the account owner.
The development track has one open application that allows your fiction feature work-in-progress screenplay to be considered for the following programs, fellowships, and grants:
Screenwriters Lab (held annually in January)
Screenwriters Intensive (held annually in March, online)
Sundance Institute Comedy Fellowship
Sundance Institute Horror Fellowship
Sundance Institute Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship and Commissioning Grant
Our application includes questions to determine your eligibility for each program and fellowship, and you will automatically be considered for all programs and fellowships for which you are eligible. (There is no open application for the Directors Lab, which is typically populated by projects that have been supported through a previous development program.) For more information about each program and fellowship, please visit our website.
What you need to complete online IN ORDER by MAY 15, 2023, at 4:59 p.m. PT:
CONTACT INFO for the primary applicant and up to two additional members of the creative team. (Please note that only the writer(s) and director(s) will attend the Screenwriters Lab.)
ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS — a series of questions about you and your project that will determine your eligibility for all of the development-track programs and fellowships.
SLOAN FELLOWSHIP AND GRANT QUESTIONS (Sloan applicants only) — If your project is eligible for the Sloan Fellowship and/or Commissioning Grant, you must complete follow-up questions regarding the scientific or technological content of the material. If your project does not contain scientific or technological content, please do not answer these questions — they are optional.
BIOS (150 words max each) for the primary applicant, co-applicant if applicable, and additional creative team member if applicable.
COVER LETTER (500 words max) introducing yourself and your project. There are no strict requirements for this letter, but we’d like to get a brief idea of who you are, what your script is about, where you are in the creative process, and how you think the lab process could be helpful to you.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT (500 words max) describing your creative vision for the project. What themes are you most interested in exploring in your work, and what do you want an audience to take away from your film? How do you envision the realization of this script in terms of story, character, tone, and/or visual style? Is there a budget level you have in mind? Who do you see as the audience for this film? Why are you passionate about telling this story now? If this is a resubmission of material we’ve previously considered, how has the material changed since we last read it?
PERSONAL CONNECTION (500 words max)
What is your personal connection to a) the story you are telling, and b) the specific communities your story is about? How are you working to make sure that the characters and world of your film are authentically represented, and that the community you're writing about has a voice in the creative process?
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY/RIGHTS — only required if your project is based on true events or characters.
LOGLINE (75 words max ) — a one- to two-sentence description of your story.
SYNOPSIS (750 words max) — brief summary of the plot of your script. Please include all major characters and story points, including the ending.
FIRST 5 PAGES OF YOUR SCREENPLAY OR TREATMENT — You may submit a treatment for the Sloan Commissioning Grant ONLY. If a treatment is submitted and it is not eligible for the Sloan Commissioning Grant, the project will not be considered for any other development track programs or fellowships. Do not upload more than the first five pages.
APPLICATION FEE OF $40 — You should not pay the submission fee until you have completed all other application tasks and are ready to submit your application.
Next Steps
Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis as to whether their application has progressed to the next stage of the selection process. Please be prepared to submit the following materials, should you advance to the second round. You will be given approximately 10 days to two weeks from the date of notification to submit these materials and will be notified sometime in August 2023.
UPDATED SYNOPSIS — Since screenplays are often revised between the first and second rounds of our application, we request you submit an updated synopsis with the complete draft of your screenplay.
FULL SCREENPLAY OR TREATMENT — Upload a PDF file of the most current draft of your screenplay or treatment. You may submit a treatment for the Sloan Commissioning Grant ONLY. If a treatment is submitted and it is not eligible for the Sloan Commissioning Grant, the project will not be considered for any other development-track programs or fellowships.
DIRECTING SAMPLE (optional) — If you are a writer/director, or if a director is attached to the project, you will have an opportunity to submit a link to a directing sample or samples. Please include the title and run time for any sample submitted.
VISUAL MATERIAL (optional) — If you have visual materials such as a lookbook or project deck, you may upload a PDF of no more than 40 MB.
All applicants will be notified about their status via email no later than August 31, 2023. Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unfortunately unable to provide feedback about individual projects. If you have additional questions, please visit the Development Track FAQ.
If you have further questions, please email featurefilmprogram@sundance.org.
Development Track Selection Process Timeline
April 13, 2023 Application Available Online
May 15, 2023 Application Closes (4:59 p.m. PT)
August 31, 2023 Second-round notifications complete
December 15, 2023 Final selection notifications complete
Giving Back:
The contribution provisions in the below Paragraph apply if the Artist is attending only the Screenwriters Lab.
A. If the Project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or less than One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000), no contribution is due to the Institute.
B. If the project is produced for a gross budget between One Million Five Hundred Thousand One Dollars ($1,500,001) and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) Owner will make a contribution to Institute in the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
C. If the project is produced for a gross budget between Three Million One Dollars ($3,000,001) and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
D. If the project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or exceeds Five Million One Dollars ($5,000,001), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in the amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
The contribution provisions in the below Paragraph apply in lieu of the provisions set forth in the above Paragraph if the Artist is attending the June Directors Lab, or both the Screenwriters Lab and the Directors Lab.
A. If the Project is produced for a gross budget equal to or less than One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000), no contribution is due to the Institute.
B. If the project is produced for a gross budget between One Million, Five Hundred Thousand One Dollars ($1,500,001) and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) Owner will make a contribution to Institute in an amount of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
C. If the project is produced for a gross budget is between Three Million One Dollars ($3,000,001) and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in an amount of Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
D. If the project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or exceeds Five Million One Dollars ($5,000,001), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in an amount of Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($9,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
Finally, if selected for the June Directors or Screenwriters Lab, the Sundance Institute will receive a credit line and logo placement in the film’s end titles, “This film was supported by the Sundance Institute Feature Film Film Program.”
2024 Development Track
This application is now closed to the public.
We accept all application materials electronically ONLY. You will have a chance to save a work-in-progress version of your application before officially submitting.
You must sign in or create an account to access the electronic application. When creating your account, please enter the name of the primary applicant (screenwriter) as the account owner.
The development track has one open application that allows your fiction feature work-in-progress screenplay to be considered for the following programs, fellowships, and grants:
Screenwriters Lab (held annually in January)
Screenwriters Intensive (held annually in March, online)
Sundance Institute Comedy Fellowship
Sundance Institute Horror Fellowship
Sundance Institute Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship and Commissioning Grant
Our application includes questions to determine your eligibility for each program and fellowship, and you will automatically be considered for all programs and fellowships for which you are eligible. (There is no open application for the Directors Lab, which is typically populated by projects that have been supported through a previous development program.) For more information about each program and fellowship, please visit our website.
What you need to complete online IN ORDER by MAY 15, 2023, at 4:59 p.m. PT:
CONTACT INFO for the primary applicant and up to two additional members of the creative team. (Please note that only the writer(s) and director(s) will attend the Screenwriters Lab.)
ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS — a series of questions about you and your project that will determine your eligibility for all of the development-track programs and fellowships.
SLOAN FELLOWSHIP AND GRANT QUESTIONS (Sloan applicants only) — If your project is eligible for the Sloan Fellowship and/or Commissioning Grant, you must complete follow-up questions regarding the scientific or technological content of the material. If your project does not contain scientific or technological content, please do not answer these questions — they are optional.
BIOS (150 words max each) for the primary applicant, co-applicant if applicable, and additional creative team member if applicable.
COVER LETTER (500 words max) introducing yourself and your project. There are no strict requirements for this letter, but we’d like to get a brief idea of who you are, what your script is about, where you are in the creative process, and how you think the lab process could be helpful to you.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT (500 words max) describing your creative vision for the project. What themes are you most interested in exploring in your work, and what do you want an audience to take away from your film? How do you envision the realization of this script in terms of story, character, tone, and/or visual style? Is there a budget level you have in mind? Who do you see as the audience for this film? Why are you passionate about telling this story now? If this is a resubmission of material we’ve previously considered, how has the material changed since we last read it?
PERSONAL CONNECTION (500 words max)
What is your personal connection to a) the story you are telling, and b) the specific communities your story is about? How are you working to make sure that the characters and world of your film are authentically represented, and that the community you're writing about has a voice in the creative process?
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY/RIGHTS — only required if your project is based on true events or characters.
LOGLINE (75 words max ) — a one- to two-sentence description of your story.
SYNOPSIS (750 words max) — brief summary of the plot of your script. Please include all major characters and story points, including the ending.
FIRST 5 PAGES OF YOUR SCREENPLAY OR TREATMENT — You may submit a treatment for the Sloan Commissioning Grant ONLY. If a treatment is submitted and it is not eligible for the Sloan Commissioning Grant, the project will not be considered for any other development track programs or fellowships. Do not upload more than the first five pages.
APPLICATION FEE OF $40 — You should not pay the submission fee until you have completed all other application tasks and are ready to submit your application.
Next Steps
Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis as to whether their application has progressed to the next stage of the selection process. Please be prepared to submit the following materials, should you advance to the second round. You will be given approximately 10 days to two weeks from the date of notification to submit these materials and will be notified sometime in August 2023.
UPDATED SYNOPSIS — Since screenplays are often revised between the first and second rounds of our application, we request you submit an updated synopsis with the complete draft of your screenplay.
FULL SCREENPLAY OR TREATMENT — Upload a PDF file of the most current draft of your screenplay or treatment. You may submit a treatment for the Sloan Commissioning Grant ONLY. If a treatment is submitted and it is not eligible for the Sloan Commissioning Grant, the project will not be considered for any other development-track programs or fellowships.
DIRECTING SAMPLE (optional) — If you are a writer/director, or if a director is attached to the project, you will have an opportunity to submit a link to a directing sample or samples. Please include the title and run time for any sample submitted.
VISUAL MATERIAL (optional) — If you have visual materials such as a lookbook or project deck, you may upload a PDF of no more than 40 MB.
All applicants will be notified about their status via email no later than August 31, 2023. Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unfortunately unable to provide feedback about individual projects. If you have additional questions, please visit the Development Track FAQ.
If you have further questions, please email featurefilmprogram@sundance.org.
Development Track Selection Process Timeline
April 13, 2023 Application Available Online
May 15, 2023 Application Closes (4:59 p.m. PT)
August 31, 2023 Second-round notifications complete
December 15, 2023 Final selection notifications complete
Giving Back:
The contribution provisions in the below Paragraph apply if the Artist is attending only the Screenwriters Lab.
A. If the Project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or less than One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000), no contribution is due to the Institute.
B. If the project is produced for a gross budget between One Million Five Hundred Thousand One Dollars ($1,500,001) and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) Owner will make a contribution to Institute in the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
C. If the project is produced for a gross budget between Three Million One Dollars ($3,000,001) and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
D. If the project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or exceeds Five Million One Dollars ($5,000,001), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in the amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
The contribution provisions in the below Paragraph apply in lieu of the provisions set forth in the above Paragraph if the Artist is attending the June Directors Lab, or both the Screenwriters Lab and the Directors Lab.
A. If the Project is produced for a gross budget equal to or less than One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000), no contribution is due to the Institute.
B. If the project is produced for a gross budget between One Million, Five Hundred Thousand One Dollars ($1,500,001) and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) Owner will make a contribution to Institute in an amount of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
C. If the project is produced for a gross budget is between Three Million One Dollars ($3,000,001) and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in an amount of Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
D. If the project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or exceeds Five Million One Dollars ($5,000,001), Owner will make a contribution to Institute in an amount of Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($9,500), which contribution will be paid to Institute no later than ten (10) business days following the commencement of principal photography of the Project.
Finally, if selected for the June Directors or Screenwriters Lab, the Sundance Institute will receive a credit line and logo placement in the film’s end titles, “This film was supported by the Sundance Institute Feature Film Film Program.”