What will I need in order to apply? 

Click here to see the application questions.

Do you have deadlines?

Yes. Please check on the website for a specific opportunity’s deadline. Deadlines will be throughout the year. 

Do you offer deadline extensions?

No. 

How long do your decisions take?

Decisions typically take two to four months.

At what point in my project should I apply?

The Sundance Institute Project Advancement and Completion Fund is intended to support the creative advancement of a project. Projects at various stages (from advanced development to pre-production to film festival launch) are eligible to apply. Throughout the year, we may have additional funding opportunities available to projects at a specific stage in their lifecycle. We will update the homepage with these special opportunities as they come.

Who is eligible to apply?

Artists from underrepresented communities are invited to apply. Each opportunity has specific eligibility criteria. Please review these criteria before applying.  

What kinds of activities are eligible for support through this grant? 

Eligible activities can include, but are not limited to, requesting support for further development, extending post, attending festivals and forums, hiring key creative team members (consulting editors, producers, casting directors, etc.), covering COVID-related costs, or supporting self-distribution. Please refer to the specific opportunity description for additional details. 

Is there an application fee to apply? 

No. It is free to apply. 

I’m a Sundance Institute alumni with a new project. Can I apply for funding? 

No. This opportunity is reserved for Sundance Institute grantees, fellows, and alumni on the project they had previously received support from Sundance on. 

How do I apply? 

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please reach out to the Sundance Institute program you are currently supported through for an application code. You will be required to enter this code when you click on the Sundance Institute Project Advancement and Completion Fund on the application page of the Institute’s website. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

How are decisions regarding funding made? 

Applications go through a multistage review, with selected submissions sent for Sundance Institute Project Advancement and Completion Fund Committee consideration. The committee is made up of Sundance Institute staff and external artist advisors. Proposals are evaluated on several criteria, including the critical nature of the proposed activity to advance the project and the potential for this activity to make a significant impact on the project; the ability of the grant amount to cover the entirety or majority of the activity proposed (or additional funding has already been confirmed); the complementary nature of the funding vis-à-vis other creative and financial support provided by the Institute; and the filmmaker’s access to resources outside of the Sundance Institute. 

What are the grant sizes? 

Grant sizes differ with the specific fund, ranging from $7,500 to $25,000. Applicants should submit a true budget for their intended activity. 

How many applications are actually funded? 

We anticipate supporting between 20 to 30 projects throughout the year across the various opportunities.

How will I know if the fund has received my proposal?

After you press “submit” on the online application, a confirmation page will appear. You should also receive a confirmation email once your application is submitted. If you have not received an email, please double-check your spam filter.

When will I find out if I have been awarded a grant?

Award decisions typically take two to four months from the date of submission, but occasionally they will be made sooner. Please do not contact us to inquire about your status, as we cannot provide status updates. You will be notified directly by email once a decision has been made. 

May I reapply for a grant if my proposal is declined?

Yes. However, you may only reapply for a different opportunity or to the same opportunity when you have further refined your proposal or have a new activity that you see as vital to the advancement of your project. Artists are strongly discouraged from submitting similar proposals. 

If I receive a grant or award from another source, am I still eligible to apply for Sundance Institute funding?

Yes.

If I receive a grant, what are the terms of the contract?

Grants are not recoupable, and none of your exploitable rights are encumbered. Our contract requires logo acknowledgment of the Sundance Institute and the specific funder in the end credits of the film and on your promotional materials. We also require narrative, financial, and distribution reports. We may request your active participation in the Sundance Institute creative community through invitation-only activities to support you and your film, as well as to support other filmmakers and the independent film field globally.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

How do I reduce the file size of my PDF?

Check out this link.

I’m having trouble uploading my film to Vimeo. Can you help?

Check out this link.