2021 Preservation Fund FAQ

The Sundance Preservation Fund was established to help protect and preserve independent stories, which are vital to both the history of independent storytelling and the heritage of Sundance Institute. The Fund provides grants to support preservation and restoration efforts of Sundance-supported projects and empower independent storytellers with resources to develop a sustainable long-term preservation strategy. Preference is given to projects at risk of loss with urgent preservation needs as well as artistic, historical, cultural, or educational significance. 

Submissions to the Sundance Preservation Fund are accepted year-round, with decisions occurring 3-4 times per year.

Dates: Year-round

Award Range: $500–$5,000

Eligibility

  • U.S. and international artists

  • Project was supported by Sundance Institute through labs, grants, fellowships, and/or Festival

  • Feature-length and shorts, dramatic and documentary, episodic, and New Frontier projects

  • Clearance from rights holders of project

Categories Considered for Granting

  • Preservation consultation

  • Scanning services

  • Restoration and remastering

  • Hardware, migration, upkeep

  • Long-term digital preservation of final/conformed project

  • Additional opportunities by nomination

Requisites for Selected Projects

  • Deliverable to the Sundance Collection at UCLA

  • Completed project report

  • Permission to screen restored project, if applicable

  • Credit to Sundance Institute Collection at UCLA

Application Requirements

Applications should include the following:

What happens after I apply?

Standard decisions take 2-6 months. Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis. If you have not heard from us, your project is still under consideration. 

Is there a fee to apply?

No. There is no submission fee.