• Do I have to apply to both the Editing Residency and the Film Music and Sound Design Lab? 

No. You can choose to apply to only one of the programs, or you can be considered for both simultaneously. The application allows you to indicate which programs you want to apply for.

• Can I be selected for both the Editing Residency and the Film Music and Sound Design Lab?

Yes, it’s possible to be selected for both programs.

• Which members of the team attend these programs?

The director and editor of a project attend the Editing Residency. The director of a project attends the Film Music and Sound Design Lab.

• Do you support international projects?

Yes. However, if selected for the Editing Residency, international artists may be asked to cover a portion of their airfare to the program.

• I’m a director and I’m already working with a composer on my film. Can he/she come to the Film Music and Sound Design with me?

No. The Film Music and Sound Design Lab has a separate application for composer fellows, which has an April 2 deadline and can be found here: apply.sundance.org. Selected directors will be paired with one of the Film Music composer fellows even if another composer is attached to their film. The Lab collaboration with a composer is for the workshop only, and directors are not expected or obligated to use any material generated there in the finished film.

• How far along in post-production should I be when I apply?

In order to apply, you need to submit a link to a cut of your film. Ideally we would prefer to see a completed cut, but if you’re not yet at that stage, you can submit significant edited scenes or sequences. We require you submit a minimum of 20 minutes of edited material. 

For the Editing Residency, by the start date of the residency filmmaking teams should have completed at least a first cut of the film, but still have significant time allotted in the schedule before picture lock. For the Film Music and Sound Design Lab, by the start date of the Lab filmmaking teams can be anywhere in the process between a completed first cut and picture lock.

• Who watches the cut of my film?

Feature Film Program staff are the only people who view the cut of the film during the selection process. Once a project is selected, the cut will also be shared with the Film Music Program staff. At no point is the cut shared across the Institute (including the Film Festival programming staff,) and FFP staff are not involved with programming the Film Festival.

• What does it cost to attend the program?

Aside from the application fee, there is no fee to attend. Travel, accommodations, and meals are covered for 2 participants per project for the Editing Residency and 1 participant per project for the Film Music and Sound Design Lab. 

• What are the technical requirements and specifications for the Editing Residency?

We can support most standard editing software (e.g. Avid, Final Cut, Premiere). Selected projects will liaise with our Technical Director in advance of the residency to ensure an appropriate set-up is provided that allows filmmaking teams to continue working with existing media and systems.