What do I need to apply?

Applicants will be asked to complete a series of short- and long-form questions, as well as additional materials including a synopsis and budget. We welcome applicants to submit a written, verbal, or audio response for the director’s statement and essay questions. A visual sample is necessary, and we encourage but do not require applicants to share assemblies or a rough cut, if available. Portions of an assembly and/or character “string-outs” are also acceptable. 

Do you accept international applications?

Yes.  All applicants are considered by invitation only. International projects that received a grant from the Documentary Film Program will be prioritized. If you are working on a project based outside the U.S. that is not currently supported by DFP and you are interested in applying to the lab, please contact docedit@sundance.org.

Can I still apply if I don’t have an editor attached?

Although we encourage projects to have a primary editor attached at the time of submission, projects for which the director is also the editor may also apply.

Who attends the lab?

Director-editor teams are invited to attend. Unfortunately, due to both space and budget limitations, we cannot accommodate additional key creative team members at this time.

What kind of visual material is adequate for the application?

Ideally, projects will attend the lab at a late assembly/rough-cut stage. At the time of application, you may submit edited sequences, specific scenes, or character assemblies. The material submitted should reflect your current creative challenges and process in the edit as you work toward an assembly/cut.

Projects that are far along in the edit, or for which creative input and exploration would be detrimental to the creative process, are not ideal candidates. If you have an advanced rough or fine cut in place by the time of application, you are probably not in the best stage to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Do you accept short films?

No, only feature-length projects are eligible, with an intended running time of 60 minutes or more.

What is the ideal stage of production to take best advantage of the lab?

Projects should be in post-production, at either the assembly or rough-cut stage, at the time of the application. Projects would ideally be at the rough-cut stage by June 2023.

If selected, when do I have to be available to participate, and do I have to be there the entire time?

If your project is selected, you are required to be present during the entire lab, June 16–24, 2023. The lab takes place at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah.

If I am accepted into the lab, does that mean my project will receive a grant from the Sundance Documentary Fund? Conversely, if I am not accepted to the lab, will this impact future grant applications to the Sundance Documentary Fund?

Currently, there is no grant award attached to lab participation. You must submit a separate application to the Sundance Documentary Fund to receive a grant. 

What kind of post-lab support is provided to lab fellows/projects?

Through the lab, fellows are introduced to a community of advisors and other fellows, building relationships that last long after their films are complete. Project teams remain in communication with advisors informally. After the lab, Documentary Film Program staff remain in close contact with fellows and can facilitate work-in-progress screenings populated with advisors. There are also additional opportunities for limited financial support for further editorial and story consultations, and fellows have access to Sundance Institute resources to advise on future festival, financing, and distribution strategies.

If I participate in the lab, does that increase my chances of my film being accepted to the Sundance Film Festival?

Receiving support from the Sundance Documentary Fund or participating in the lab does not increase your chances of screening at the Sundance Film Festival. Projects supported by the Sundance Institute in development do not receive preferential treatment in the selection process and are not automatically offered a slot to premiere at the Festival.

How will I be notified about acceptance? Will I be notified if I’m not accepted?

Documentary Film Program staff may contact applicants with additional questions or schedule a Zoom or in-person interview with the filmmakers. Final notifications are made by mid- to late-May 2023.

Does it matter if I’ve participated in other labs outside of the Sundance Institute?

Participation in other creative labs and/or workshops will be factored into consideration for the Sundance Institute Documentary Edit and Story Lab at the final stages of the selection process. We evaluate the specific type of creative support available to an applicant in post-production and how this Lab will be catalytic for the project. However, we encourage filmmakers to utilize all resources available to them in furthering their work and their artistic development.

Can I receive feedback on my submission?

Due to limited staff capacity, we are unfortunately not able to provide individualized feedback.

Does the Sundance Institute pay for my travel to Utah?

The Sundance Institute does provide air travel, a small travel stipend, and ground transportation from the Salt Lake City airport to the Sundance Mountain Resort and back, as well as lodging and meals at the lab for all selected fellows.

Still don’t see your question answered here? Email docedit@sundance.org and put “Edit & Story Lab” in the subject line.