Welcome to the application for the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund.
We appreciate your time and effort in the application process, and salute you on your independent filmmaking journey.
The deadline for the Documentary Fund is Monday, July 15, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Filmmakers who submit applications by then will be notified regarding the status of their application in early 2025.
The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund supports the work of nonfiction filmmakers from around the globe. In a changing media landscape, the fund has been a stable, progressive force in supporting work that has expressed the world in creative, complex, beautiful, and provocative ways, and has created real cultural and social impact around some of the most pressing issues of our time. We are proud to sit at the center of this burgeoning creative field with the Documentary Fund, which offers (non-recoupable) support for nonfiction projects that continue to elevate and advance cultural dialogue and break new ground in creativity and innovation. In its ongoing search for artists and projects to support, the Documentary Fund is seeking filmmakers with a distinct voice and vision, and a meaningful connection to the work they create. We are especially keen to raise the voices of underserved or underrepresented communities from around the world in the service of building a more fair, free, and open society.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program (DFP) prioritizes support for independent nonfiction films with budgets under $1 million in U.S. dollars.
Creative and editorial control must be held by members of the films’ key creative teams.
In our funding we continue to uplift productions led by artists from communities that have been traditionally marginalized (e.g., artists who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities), unearthing historically underrepresented narratives. We remain committed to elevating voices beyond our borders, celebrating the rich diversity of filmmaking traditions around the world. Our current international priorities are artists living and working in regions that lack a robust infrastructure of support for independent film, regions of conflict, and countries where freedom of expression is under threat. Awards are made regardless of citizenship status.
Applicants may submit at any production phase from development through post-production. All proposals must convey some vision for a finished film. Projects should have secured characters or subjects, be able to articulate a story or structure, and be able to explain the project's driving central question. We welcome applications with aesthetic and storytelling traditions from all over the world and are not bound to specific themes or issues. Hybrid and experimental documentaries are eligible to apply. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information on our selection criteria and priorities. We are unable to consider proposals for story research. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. You do not need any prior funding or a fiscal sponsor in order to apply.
Once your film premieres, we are unable to provide post-production funding support. We therefore encourage applicants to apply at least eight months before an anticipated premiere. Picture-locked cuts are also ineligible for post-production funding.
We accept resubmissions only when your project has advanced considerably in storytelling vision and intent, preferably at a later stage of production. We discourage more than three applications to the Documentary Fund over the life of a project. Projects that have previously received a grant through the Documentary Fund are not eligible to apply for additional funding through this open call. Contact DFP staff for more information.
WHAT WILL I NEED IN ORDER TO APPLY?
- Line-item budget (sample budget: Excel)
Visual samples
- Completed previous directing sample, any length or genre (optional)
- Current sample required for production and post-production applications. See Proposal Checklist for length suggestions.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY?
Applications go through a multistage review, with selected submissions sent for Sundance Institute Documentary Fund committee consideration. The committee meets to make recommendations regarding which projects are funded. Proposals to the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund are evaluated on several criteria, including strong artistic vision, compelling storytelling, contemporary cultural relevance, originality, feasibility, journalistic rigor (where applicable), and potential to reach and connect with an intended audience. The Documentary Fund spotlights new voices and artists bringing a fresh perspective to vital conversations of our day, often through new creative frontiers. Film teams’ access to resources, both financial and creative, are taken into consideration to ensure funds are prioritized for those who need them most. The creative team's connection to and engagement with the community they are working with is also taken into consideration.
Award decisions typically take six to eight months. Please do not contact us to inquire about your status, as we cannot provide status updates. You will be notified directly via email once a decision has been made. We periodically announce new grantees throughout the year, and those press releases are not notifications.
You may send any significant updates to dfp@sundance.org. However, due to the volume of projects that we receive, the Documentary Film Program does not guarantee that updates will be incorporated into the project’s review.
HOW DO I START MY APPLICATION?
1. Go to apply.sundance.org and register for an account, or log in with an existing account.
2. Log in and select "2024 Documentary Fund Grant Application."
3. Click "Apply."
4. Get started!
ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT
Sundance Institute is committed to improving overall experiences & belonging for our staff, audiences, and artists, in alignment with our core values. We consider inclusion, racial equity, and accessibility the drivers of institutional excellence, and it is our aim, therefore, that the Sundance Documentary Film Program reflects these core values at every level. The director or key creative on a project who self-identifies as an artist with a disability may request assistance at any time while completing and submitting their Documentary Film Program application. Support may include a small stipend for the artist to hire an accessibility service provider, such as an ASL interpreter, transcriber (i.e. CART or similar real-time captioning), or text or copy editor to support the application process. This is not meant to be used to hire a grant writer but rather to support an artist with a disability to submit their own grant application. To request assistance and for additional information, please email dfp@sundance.org.
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?
If you have additional questions about the Documentary Fund application procedures, please see the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund Frequently Asked Questions.
For projects with safety and security concerns regarding potentially-sensitive content, please contact dfp@sundance.org for further guidance.
2024 Documentary Fund Grant Application
Welcome to the application for the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund.
We appreciate your time and effort in the application process, and salute you on your independent filmmaking journey.
The deadline for the Documentary Fund is Monday, July 15, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Filmmakers who submit applications by then will be notified regarding the status of their application in early 2025.
The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund supports the work of nonfiction filmmakers from around the globe. In a changing media landscape, the fund has been a stable, progressive force in supporting work that has expressed the world in creative, complex, beautiful, and provocative ways, and has created real cultural and social impact around some of the most pressing issues of our time. We are proud to sit at the center of this burgeoning creative field with the Documentary Fund, which offers (non-recoupable) support for nonfiction projects that continue to elevate and advance cultural dialogue and break new ground in creativity and innovation. In its ongoing search for artists and projects to support, the Documentary Fund is seeking filmmakers with a distinct voice and vision, and a meaningful connection to the work they create. We are especially keen to raise the voices of underserved or underrepresented communities from around the world in the service of building a more fair, free, and open society.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program (DFP) prioritizes support for independent nonfiction films with budgets under $1 million in U.S. dollars.
Creative and editorial control must be held by members of the films’ key creative teams.
In our funding we continue to uplift productions led by artists from communities that have been traditionally marginalized (e.g., artists who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities), unearthing historically underrepresented narratives. We remain committed to elevating voices beyond our borders, celebrating the rich diversity of filmmaking traditions around the world. Our current international priorities are artists living and working in regions that lack a robust infrastructure of support for independent film, regions of conflict, and countries where freedom of expression is under threat. Awards are made regardless of citizenship status.
Applicants may submit at any production phase from development through post-production. All proposals must convey some vision for a finished film. Projects should have secured characters or subjects, be able to articulate a story or structure, and be able to explain the project's driving central question. We welcome applications with aesthetic and storytelling traditions from all over the world and are not bound to specific themes or issues. Hybrid and experimental documentaries are eligible to apply. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information on our selection criteria and priorities. We are unable to consider proposals for story research. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. You do not need any prior funding or a fiscal sponsor in order to apply.
Once your film premieres, we are unable to provide post-production funding support. We therefore encourage applicants to apply at least eight months before an anticipated premiere. Picture-locked cuts are also ineligible for post-production funding.
We accept resubmissions only when your project has advanced considerably in storytelling vision and intent, preferably at a later stage of production. We discourage more than three applications to the Documentary Fund over the life of a project. Projects that have previously received a grant through the Documentary Fund are not eligible to apply for additional funding through this open call. Contact DFP staff for more information.
WHAT WILL I NEED IN ORDER TO APPLY?
- Line-item budget (sample budget: Excel)
Visual samples
- Completed previous directing sample, any length or genre (optional)
- Current sample required for production and post-production applications. See Proposal Checklist for length suggestions.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY?
Applications go through a multistage review, with selected submissions sent for Sundance Institute Documentary Fund committee consideration. The committee meets to make recommendations regarding which projects are funded. Proposals to the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund are evaluated on several criteria, including strong artistic vision, compelling storytelling, contemporary cultural relevance, originality, feasibility, journalistic rigor (where applicable), and potential to reach and connect with an intended audience. The Documentary Fund spotlights new voices and artists bringing a fresh perspective to vital conversations of our day, often through new creative frontiers. Film teams’ access to resources, both financial and creative, are taken into consideration to ensure funds are prioritized for those who need them most. The creative team's connection to and engagement with the community they are working with is also taken into consideration.
Award decisions typically take six to eight months. Please do not contact us to inquire about your status, as we cannot provide status updates. You will be notified directly via email once a decision has been made. We periodically announce new grantees throughout the year, and those press releases are not notifications.
You may send any significant updates to dfp@sundance.org. However, due to the volume of projects that we receive, the Documentary Film Program does not guarantee that updates will be incorporated into the project’s review.
HOW DO I START MY APPLICATION?
1. Go to apply.sundance.org and register for an account, or log in with an existing account.
2. Log in and select "2024 Documentary Fund Grant Application."
3. Click "Apply."
4. Get started!
ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT
Sundance Institute is committed to improving overall experiences & belonging for our staff, audiences, and artists, in alignment with our core values. We consider inclusion, racial equity, and accessibility the drivers of institutional excellence, and it is our aim, therefore, that the Sundance Documentary Film Program reflects these core values at every level. The director or key creative on a project who self-identifies as an artist with a disability may request assistance at any time while completing and submitting their Documentary Film Program application. Support may include a small stipend for the artist to hire an accessibility service provider, such as an ASL interpreter, transcriber (i.e. CART or similar real-time captioning), or text or copy editor to support the application process. This is not meant to be used to hire a grant writer but rather to support an artist with a disability to submit their own grant application. To request assistance and for additional information, please email dfp@sundance.org.
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?
If you have additional questions about the Documentary Fund application procedures, please see the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund Frequently Asked Questions.
For projects with safety and security concerns regarding potentially-sensitive content, please contact dfp@sundance.org for further guidance.