Course Registrations Closing Soon
The Industry: A Crash Course (Self-paced)
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Tessa Blake
If you’ve ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move breaking into TV, this four-week course is your roadmap to success. By the end of it, you’ll be well-equipped with the tools, strategies, and confidence to take charge of your career.
TV Writing: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Angela LaManna
Create an outline for your episodic TV pilot idea in eight weeks with an accomplished TV writer as your guide. In this introductory level self-paced course, you will take this important first step for your original pilot script and learn a set of tools to help you ask the important questions of every scene and character that will get you past "stuck" when writing future episodes.
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.
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).
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).
Weekend Intensive
Independent Documentary Distribution Now: Creative Approaches
Instructor: Rowan Haber
Independent Documentary Distribution Now: Creative Approaches
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Rowan Haber
This weekend-long intensive offers a practical overview of contemporary independent documentary distribution and examines how filmmakers are getting their work to audiences, generating revenue, and sustaining long-term careers through non-traditional and hybrid approaches.
Creating the Horror in Your Screenplay
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Owen Egerton
Ready to write a horror screenplay that gets under your audience's skin? Learn to craft truly terrifying and unforgettable horror stories in this comprehensive, self-paced course taught by celebrated horror screenwriter Owen Egerton. In this course, you'll go beyond cheap jump scares to discover the core principles of cinematic horror. Through bite-sized video lessons you can watch at your own pace, Owen will guide you through writing exercises that build your story from the ground up, helping you develop compelling characters, build suspense, and create scares that are both original and deeply unsettling.
Rewriting Your TV Pilot and Crafting Your Pitch
Advanced
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.
Directing: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Marie Jamora
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.
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.
Upcoming Events
Feb12
Live Online Event
10:00AM - 11:30AM (PST)
Global Cinema Meetup: Hasan Hadi on Making THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE
With: Hasan Hadi and Erica Elson
Global Cinema Meetup: Hasan Hadi on Making THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE
February 12, 2026
10:00AM - 11:30AM (PST)
10:00AM - 11:30AM (PST)
With: Hasan Hadi and Erica Elson
Looking to form new connections and learn from independent filmmakers around the world? Join Sundance Collab for our Global Cinema Meetup, a new series in which we invite a filmmaker to discuss financing and making and films outside the U.S.
Feb18
Spotlight
1:00PM - 2:00PM (PST)
Driving Box Office Success with Joseph Kosinski (F1: THE MOVIE)
With: Joseph Kosinski and Erica Elson
Driving Box Office Success with Joseph Kosinski (F1: THE MOVIE)
February 18, 2026
1:00PM - 2:00PM (PST)
1:00PM - 2:00PM (PST)
With: Joseph Kosinski and Erica Elson
In this hour-long conversation for filmmakers of all levels, you’ll get a chance to ask questions about producing and directing some of Hollywood’s biggest films. Joseph Kosinski will discuss crafting memorable heroes, bringing his unique take to existing IP, and directing thrilling action sequences.
Feb19
Advisor Studio
10:00AM - 11:00AM (PST)
Unearthing Character Through Casting with Richard Hicks
With: Richard Hicks and Katherine Street
Unearthing Character Through Casting with Richard Hicks
February 19, 2026
10:00AM - 11:00AM (PST)
10:00AM - 11:00AM (PST)
With: Richard Hicks and Katherine Street
In this Advisor Studio, veteran Casting Director Richard Hicks will guide you through the full casting process, from breaking down scripts and developing character briefs to crafting a strategy for outreach, auditions, and offers. You will gain insight into how Casting Directors interpret a filmmaker’s vision, present creative options, and balance artistic goals with
understanding actor market value, budget, and scheduling realities.
Sundance Institute's Story Forum
New Program
Story Forum: Exploring Art and Innovation
Story Forum is a space to learn, collaborate, and join the conversation; inviting thoughtful dialogue about the artist-first tools and technologies supporting visual storytelling
Jan26
In Person Events
10:00AM - 10:00AM (PST)
Sundance Institute's Story Forum: In-Person Registration
Join Sundance Institute’s Story Forum: Exploring Art and Innovation, presented by Adobe, at the Sheraton Park City on Monday, January 26, for a free day of panels and conversations—ranging from the neuroscience of imagination to an interactive AI murder mystery.
Online Events
Sundance Institute's Story Forum: Online Event Registration
Join us from anywhere on January 29–30 for 15+ immersive online sessions. Explore the cutting edge of independent filmmaking through deep dives into virtual production, documentary ethics, and sustainable independent workflows.
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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.