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Self-Paced Course
Screenwriting: From Outline to First Draft of Your Screenplay
Instructor: Deborah Goodwin
Screenwriting: From Outline to First Draft of Your Screenplay
Intermediate
Instructor: Deborah Goodwin
You’ve got a great idea for a movie and fleshed out an outline for your screenplay. Now, it’s time to start writing that script that gets past gatekeepers and grabs your reader’s attention — whether it’s an assistant, an agent, an executive, a financier, or the talent you want on screen. In this course you will move from outline to completing a first draft of your screenplay (90-120 pages).
Crafting a Limited Series for Television
Intermediate
With: Ron Nyswaner and Alicia Carroll
In this four week course, Ron Nyswaner will guide you through the process of crafting short-form prestige television and reveal the core pillars of a compelling limited series.
Visual Storytelling: The Shot, The Image, and The Camera
Intermediate
Instructor: Peter Markham
Mastering visual storytelling is like learning a new language—the language of the screen—and it is a critical component of a director’s work. Over four weeks, gain expertise on the practical aesthetics of the moving image—explored from the perspectives of both shot and camera.
Defining Your Voice as a Director
Intermediate
Instructor: Lindsay MacKay
In this course, with an experienced independent filmmaker as your guide, you will expand your working knowledge of narrative and visual storytelling, analyze notable global directors, and look within to find what your true artistic voice is as a director.
Live Online Course
Rewriting Your TV Pilot and Crafting Your Pitch
Instructor: Alana Sanko and Emmylou Diaz
Rewriting Your TV Pilot and Crafting Your Pitch
Advanced
With: Alana Sanko and Emmylou Diaz
Looking for support to polish your original pilot and prepare your TV series pitch? Revise your pilot with an accomplished TV writer as your guide. In this live online, eight-week course designed for aspiring and experienced TV writers, a Sundance Collab Instructor will offer a comprehensive approach to refining your pilot, creating a TV series show bible, and preparing a compelling pitch to industry professionals.
Pitching and Presenting Yourself
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Misha Calvert
In this live online 8-week class, you’ll hone your identity as a writer and/or director and present yourself in meetings and networking opportunities. You’ll leave this course knowing what a creator needs to know to break into the business and sustain a career.
Directing: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Marie Jamora and Monique Sorgen
You have an interest in directing fiction films, but now you want an expert in the field to help guide you as you take the next step. In this eight-week self-paced course, you will learn about the directing craft, how to assemble and collaborate with your crew, work with actors, and translate work from script-to-screen. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to film an assigned scripted scene and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.
Screenwriting: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Trey Ellis
Learn the core elements of writing a screenplay for a feature film, with an accomplished screenwriter as your guide. In this self-paced course, you will develop a new script idea into an outline that can be used to write your first draft.
Live Online Course
Rewriting Your Screenplay and Crafting Your Pitch
Instructor: Q Terah Jackson and Lee Moss
Rewriting Your Screenplay and Crafting Your Pitch
Advanced
With: Q Terah Jackson and Lee Moss
Looking for support to polish your script and prepare your pitch? Revise your feature film screenplay with an accomplished screenwriter as your guide. In this live online, nine-week course designed for aspiring and experienced screenwriters, a Sundance Collab Instructor will offer a comprehensive approach to refining your script and preparing to pitch it to industry professionals.
Crafting Your Short Film Screenplay
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Asher Jelinsky
Short films are a great way to showcase your voice, talent, and storytelling skill. In this eight-week self-paced online course, you will learn the fundamentals of screenwriting and develop your original story idea into a short screenplay with accomplished filmmakers as your guides. Designated homework assignments are reviewed by a Sundance Advisor and designed to move you closer to your completed short screenplay (5-15 pages).
Film Producing: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Simon TaufiQue
Do you have a short or feature film you plan to produce? In this eight-week self-paced online course, you will learn the fundamental concepts of creative producing for independent fiction films - from development to financing to budgeting and more with an accomplished producer as your guide. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to create pitch materials to communicate your project’s vision to funders and key collaborators and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.
Live Online Course
Directing: From Short Film Prep to Festival Submission
Instructor: Sushma Khadepaun
Directing: From Short Film Prep to Festival Submission
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Sushma Khadepaun
Transform your creative vision into a festival-ready short film with expert guidance from an experienced director. This comprehensive 8-week live online course takes you through every stage of the filmmaking process, from initial concept development to festival strategy.
Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Patrick Shen
You have an idea for a documentary film, but now you want an expert in the field to help guide you as you take the next step. In this eight-week self-paced course, you will learn how to move from concept through post-production with a documentary film. Along the way, you will develop a compelling proposal for potential funders of your project and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.
Producing Your Independent Short Film
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Andrew Carlberg
In this self-paced course, Emmy and Oscar-winning film producer Andrew Carlberg deconstructs the producer’s journey from development to distribution, empowering you to lead your project with the confidence of an industry veteran.
Live Online Course
How to Schedule, Budget, and Prepare Your Production for Financing
Instructor: Summer Shelton
How to Schedule, Budget, and Prepare Your Production for Financing
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Summer Shelton
In this introductory four-week online course, you will learn the basics of feature film scheduling and budgeting, location scouting, hiring a casting director and making offers to talent. Creators at any level of experience are welcome to join.
TV Writing: From Outline to First Draft of Your Pilot
Intermediate
Instructor: Angela LaManna
You’ve got a great idea for a TV series and you have fleshed out an outline for your pilot. Now, it’s time to start writing that script that grabs your reader’s attention - whether it’s an agent, an executive, or a showrunner. In this course you will move from outline to completing a draft of your original pilot (under 60 pages).
Directing Actors
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Tessa Blake
In just eight weeks, an accomplished director will give you the tools to transform a script into a roadmap that takes your vision from ideas to final cut. In this introductory level self-paced course, you'll explore and experiment with how to approach your collaboration with actors from auditions to working on set.
Upcoming Events
May1
Live Online Event
3:00PM - 4:30PM (PDT)
Global Cinema Meetup: Directing Duo THUNDERLIPS on Going From Short to Feature
With: THUNDERLIPS and 2 more
Global Cinema Meetup: Directing Duo THUNDERLIPS on Going From Short to Feature
May 1, 2026
3:00PM - 4:30PM (PDT)
3:00PM - 4:30PM (PDT)
With: THUNDERLIPS, Hannah Herchenbach and Erica Elson
Join us for a focus on New Zealand filmmakers with guests THUNDERLIPS (Sean Wallace and Jordan Mark Windsor), writer/directors of the upcoming body horror comedy MUM, I’M ALIEN PREGNANT, which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
May13
Live Online Event
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PDT)
The Sundance Institute Founder Series: Robert Redford’s Impact on Conservationism and Climate Storytelling
With: Jill Tidman and 3 more
The Sundance Institute Founder Series: Robert Redford’s Impact on Conservationism and Climate Storytelling
May 13, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PDT)
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PDT)
With: Jill Tidman, Paula DuPré Pesmen, Louie Psihoyos and Erica Elson
In this session, you will hear from a panel of environmental filmmakers as they discuss Redford’s impact on their careers, why climate storytelling is more important and empowering than ever, and how all filmmakers can incorporate climate themes and social impact into their work.
May15
Master Class
12:00PM - 3:00PM (PDT)
A Care-Centered Approach to Documentary Filmmaking
With: Anayansi Prado
A Care-Centered Approach to Documentary Filmmaking
May 15, 2026
12:00PM - 3:00PM (PDT)
12:00PM - 3:00PM (PDT)
With: Anayansi Prado
Join award-winning director/producer Anayansi Prado as she shares insights from creating her latest film, UVALDE MOM (2025, SXSW), delving into the care practices she cultivated throughout its production and release.
Games as a Narrative Medium
May 28, 2026
1:00PM - 2:00PM (PDT)
1:00PM - 2:00PM (PDT)
With: Nic Yulo and Erica Elson
Join us to learn how narrative design serves as the framework in video games, directing the player's journey and maintaining sustained engagement. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about this dynamic storytelling format!
Jun2
Master Class
10:00AM - 1:00PM (PDT)
Directing Action and Stunts from Script to Screen
With: Morenike Joela Evans
Directing Action and Stunts from Script to Screen
June 2, 2026
10:00AM - 1:00PM (PDT)
10:00AM - 1:00PM (PDT)
With: Morenike Joela Evans
In this three-hour Master Class, you will learn the essential skills needed to effectively direct action scenes as Morenike Joela Evans breaks down the mechanics of directing action from start to finish.
Sundance Institute's Story Forum
Event Recording
Story Forum: Exploring Art and Innovation - ON DEMAND
Together with creators, educators, industry leaders, and technologists, we explored the creative technologies that are impacting storytelling and how today’s artists are evolving.
Now you can experience it all on-demand for free.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Sundance Collab is our digital platform for creators around the globe to learn, share, and connect. It advances Sundance Institute’s mission to discover, support, and inspire independent artists, by creating a digital community that amplifies independent voices, wherever they are in the world, at whatever stage they are in their career.
No. At this time, being a part of the Sundance Collab community is separate from your Sundance Institute Membership. If you are looking for information on becoming a Sundance Institute Member, please visit Sundance.org/membership.
Check out these personalized resources based on your profile.
As a community for learning, sharing work, and connecting to a community, there are multiple ways Sundance Collab can help a creator starting their career. Our robust and growing video library and Filmmaker Toolkit are useful for learning the art, craft, and business of making films and creating in other forms. Online events and Master Classes featuring industry leaders can also help you develop your craft and work.
If you’re looking for more direct, hands-on experience and an opportunity to further your project, we offer live, self-paced, and on-demand courses with industry experts in screenwriting, directing, producing, documentary and career and business strategies. An application may be required for some courses and course fees apply. We offer a limited amount of need-based scholarships to our courses. Check the course description to see if that course currently has scholarships available.
By participating in some or all of these offerings, you have the opportunity to gain valuable insight and make meaningful connections with other creators.