Applicants to the Feature Film Producers Track will be considered for the Producers Lab and Fellowship (yearlong program commencing July 2025).
The 2025–2026 Feature Film Producers Fellowship is a yearlong program designed to nurture emerging producers with project-specific support through the Producers Lab, year-round mentorship from a dedicated industry mentor, film industry networking opportunities, professional development and project advancement strategy workshops, 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 their next feature film.
There is a separate Producers Track application for producers working on a documentary film. More information can be found about support for nonfiction projects on the Documentary Film Program page.
Application Open: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 10 a.m. MT
Application Deadline: February 12, 2025, 6 p.m. MT
Producers Lab Dates: July 14–29, 2025
Number of Fellows: 5
Location: Ucross, Wyoming
Eligibility
- Candidates must have produced at least one short or feature-length narrative or documentary film, but no more than two narrative features total as lead producer. This does not include co-producer, associate producer, or executive producer credits.
- Candidates must have a completed scripted narrative feature-length project in hand, with a director attached to the project.
- Candidates must have a legal agreement in place through which they control the project (e.g., an option, attachment, or shopping agreement).
- Candidates may not be involved as a writer or director of the submitted project. Candidates must live in the United States, though the project may be filmed internationally.
Application Details
Applicants will need to provide the following information and materials via the online application by February 12, 2025, at 6 p.m. MT:
- Contact info: We will use the email address you provide to correspond with you moving forward. Please make sure producers@sundance.org is cleared in your spam filter!
- Project logline (75-word max)
- Project synopsis (750-word max)
- Director’s artistic statement (500-word max): This statement should detail the director’s creative intent for the film, which can include the genesis of the story, particular themes of interest, visual style, and their personal connection to the material.
- Additional information (optional; 500-word max): This should include any additional information, such as status of the project, cast or crew attachments, or other producers attached who are not applying for the fellowship and their roles on the project.
- Bios (300-word max each): Bios should be included for the applying producer(s), the screenwriter(s), and the director(s). Please specifically list all notable credits, accolades, education, and experience. For any previous works listed, please note the format of the work (e.g., short film, feature, or episodic; fiction or nonfiction).
- Essay questions (400-word max each): You will be asked to answer a series of seven essay questions that will allow us to better understand your point of view as a producer and why you want to make the project you are applying with. Click here to view the sample essay questions.
- Letter of recommendation: You will be asked to upload one letter of recommendation in PDF form. Your recommender should be someone familiar with your prior creative work, such as a filmmaking colleague or professor, but they do not necessarily need to be someone familiar with your submitted project. The recommender should not be attached to the project in any position. (For example, the recommender cannot be the writer, director, co-producer, cinematographer, etc.) If you are applying as a team, you can submit one joint letter or separate letters. Your letter must be uploaded by the deadline in order for you to submit your full application.
- Application fee of $45 (credit card only)
- Please note: No scripts or additional materials are accepted at this stage.
Next Steps
Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis as to whether or not their application is progressing to the next stage of the selection process. Please be prepared to submit the following materials should you be selected for the second round:
- Updated project synopsis (750-word max)
- Full script: Upload the most current draft of your script in PDF form.
- Visual materials (optional): If you have visual materials, such as a lookbook or project deck, you may upload a PDF of no more than 40 MB.
- Directing sample: You will be asked to provide a link (and password, if applicable) to one directing sample for the director attached to your project, if such a sample is available. This sample should be recent and relevant to the project you are submitting, and it should also be a complete work (i.e., not a compilation reel or trailer). If your project has more than one director, please submit a sample that reflects their work as a team, if possible.
- Producing sample: You will be asked to provide a link (and password, if applicable) to a producing sample that is recent and relevant to the project you are submitting. If you are submitting as a producing team, you can upload one sample that represents the team or two individual samples. Please submit complete works, not compilation reels.
All applicants will receive notification of their application’s first-round status via email no later than March 27, 2025. For those advancing to the second round, notification of final status will be sent via email on or before June 13, 2025. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to provide any feedback on individual projects. If you have additional questions about the 2025 Feature Film Producers Track, click here for our FAQ.
If you have further questions after reviewing our FAQ, please email us at producers@sundance.org.
Timeline
The timeline for the 2025 Feature Film Producers Track application is as follows:
November 19, 2024 Application available online
February 12, 2025 Application closes at 6 p.m. MT
March 27, 2025 Deadline for notification of first-round status
Invitations to the second round are made on a rolling basis, and you should be prepared to submit a full draft of the script along with directing and producing samples beginning February 28, 2025.
June 13, 2025 Deadline for notification of final selections for Lab and Fellowship
-------------------------
2025 Producers Fellowship Year:
July 1, 2025 Start of Fellowship Year
July 14–19, 2025 Producers Lab (Ucross, Wyoming)
July 30, 2026 End of Fellowship Year
Giving Back
Should you be selected to participate in the Producers Lab and Fellowship, you will be asked to continue the spirit of giving back. Since securing funding for the Institute’s programs is a consistent challenge, we request that lab alumni whose projects are produced contribute to the Institute’s work to support new generations of emerging filmmakers. Please note: The contribution should be a line item in the budget of the fellowship-supported film; it is not an out-of-pocket cost for the producer.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget equal to or less than $1,500,000, no contribution is due to the Institute.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget between $1,500,001 and $3,000,000, the owner will make a contribution to Sundance Institute in an amount of $4,500.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget between $3,000,001 and $5,000,000, the owner will make a contribution to Sundance Institute in an amount of $7,000.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or exceeds $5,000,001, the owner will make a contribution to Sundance Institute in an amount of $9,500.
- All payments are due within 10 business days of the start of principal photography. Any revenue that is designated to Sundance Institute is allocated to the Feature Film Program and is used on an annual basis to provide critical support for the labs. Your ability to give back really makes a difference.
Finally, if your project is selected for the Producers Lab and Fellowship, 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 Producers Program.”
2025 Feature Film Producers Track
Applicants to the Feature Film Producers Track will be considered for the Producers Lab and Fellowship (yearlong program commencing July 2025).
The 2025–2026 Feature Film Producers Fellowship is a yearlong program designed to nurture emerging producers with project-specific support through the Producers Lab, year-round mentorship from a dedicated industry mentor, film industry networking opportunities, professional development and project advancement strategy workshops, 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 their next feature film.
There is a separate Producers Track application for producers working on a documentary film. More information can be found about support for nonfiction projects on the Documentary Film Program page.
Application Open: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 10 a.m. MT
Application Deadline: February 12, 2025, 6 p.m. MT
Producers Lab Dates: July 14–29, 2025
Number of Fellows: 5
Location: Ucross, Wyoming
Eligibility
- Candidates must have produced at least one short or feature-length narrative or documentary film, but no more than two narrative features total as lead producer. This does not include co-producer, associate producer, or executive producer credits.
- Candidates must have a completed scripted narrative feature-length project in hand, with a director attached to the project.
- Candidates must have a legal agreement in place through which they control the project (e.g., an option, attachment, or shopping agreement).
- Candidates may not be involved as a writer or director of the submitted project. Candidates must live in the United States, though the project may be filmed internationally.
Application Details
Applicants will need to provide the following information and materials via the online application by February 12, 2025, at 6 p.m. MT:
- Contact info: We will use the email address you provide to correspond with you moving forward. Please make sure producers@sundance.org is cleared in your spam filter!
- Project logline (75-word max)
- Project synopsis (750-word max)
- Director’s artistic statement (500-word max): This statement should detail the director’s creative intent for the film, which can include the genesis of the story, particular themes of interest, visual style, and their personal connection to the material.
- Additional information (optional; 500-word max): This should include any additional information, such as status of the project, cast or crew attachments, or other producers attached who are not applying for the fellowship and their roles on the project.
- Bios (300-word max each): Bios should be included for the applying producer(s), the screenwriter(s), and the director(s). Please specifically list all notable credits, accolades, education, and experience. For any previous works listed, please note the format of the work (e.g., short film, feature, or episodic; fiction or nonfiction).
- Essay questions (400-word max each): You will be asked to answer a series of seven essay questions that will allow us to better understand your point of view as a producer and why you want to make the project you are applying with. Click here to view the sample essay questions.
- Letter of recommendation: You will be asked to upload one letter of recommendation in PDF form. Your recommender should be someone familiar with your prior creative work, such as a filmmaking colleague or professor, but they do not necessarily need to be someone familiar with your submitted project. The recommender should not be attached to the project in any position. (For example, the recommender cannot be the writer, director, co-producer, cinematographer, etc.) If you are applying as a team, you can submit one joint letter or separate letters. Your letter must be uploaded by the deadline in order for you to submit your full application.
- Application fee of $45 (credit card only)
- Please note: No scripts or additional materials are accepted at this stage.
Next Steps
Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis as to whether or not their application is progressing to the next stage of the selection process. Please be prepared to submit the following materials should you be selected for the second round:
- Updated project synopsis (750-word max)
- Full script: Upload the most current draft of your script in PDF form.
- Visual materials (optional): If you have visual materials, such as a lookbook or project deck, you may upload a PDF of no more than 40 MB.
- Directing sample: You will be asked to provide a link (and password, if applicable) to one directing sample for the director attached to your project, if such a sample is available. This sample should be recent and relevant to the project you are submitting, and it should also be a complete work (i.e., not a compilation reel or trailer). If your project has more than one director, please submit a sample that reflects their work as a team, if possible.
- Producing sample: You will be asked to provide a link (and password, if applicable) to a producing sample that is recent and relevant to the project you are submitting. If you are submitting as a producing team, you can upload one sample that represents the team or two individual samples. Please submit complete works, not compilation reels.
All applicants will receive notification of their application’s first-round status via email no later than March 27, 2025. For those advancing to the second round, notification of final status will be sent via email on or before June 13, 2025. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to provide any feedback on individual projects. If you have additional questions about the 2025 Feature Film Producers Track, click here for our FAQ.
If you have further questions after reviewing our FAQ, please email us at producers@sundance.org.
Timeline
The timeline for the 2025 Feature Film Producers Track application is as follows:
November 19, 2024 Application available online
February 12, 2025 Application closes at 6 p.m. MT
March 27, 2025 Deadline for notification of first-round status
Invitations to the second round are made on a rolling basis, and you should be prepared to submit a full draft of the script along with directing and producing samples beginning February 28, 2025.
June 13, 2025 Deadline for notification of final selections for Lab and Fellowship
-------------------------
2025 Producers Fellowship Year:
July 1, 2025 Start of Fellowship Year
July 14–19, 2025 Producers Lab (Ucross, Wyoming)
July 30, 2026 End of Fellowship Year
Giving Back
Should you be selected to participate in the Producers Lab and Fellowship, you will be asked to continue the spirit of giving back. Since securing funding for the Institute’s programs is a consistent challenge, we request that lab alumni whose projects are produced contribute to the Institute’s work to support new generations of emerging filmmakers. Please note: The contribution should be a line item in the budget of the fellowship-supported film; it is not an out-of-pocket cost for the producer.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget equal to or less than $1,500,000, no contribution is due to the Institute.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget between $1,500,001 and $3,000,000, the owner will make a contribution to Sundance Institute in an amount of $4,500.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget between $3,000,001 and $5,000,000, the owner will make a contribution to Sundance Institute in an amount of $7,000.
- If the project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or exceeds $5,000,001, the owner will make a contribution to Sundance Institute in an amount of $9,500.
- All payments are due within 10 business days of the start of principal photography. Any revenue that is designated to Sundance Institute is allocated to the Feature Film Program and is used on an annual basis to provide critical support for the labs. Your ability to give back really makes a difference.
Finally, if your project is selected for the Producers Lab and Fellowship, 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 Producers Program.”