FOR DIRECTORS

The Director's Chair is Waiting.

Transform your vision into films that move the world.

Directing courses and events - registration closing soon!
Register by 12/11
Weekend Intensive

Visual Storytelling: The Shot, The Image, and The Camera

Instructor: Peter Markham
Recently added directing courses and events.
Register by 1/12
Course Bundle

Directing Essentials

Includes 2 courses: Directing Actors, Directing: Core Elements

Directing Essentials

Beginner to Intermediate

Includes 2 courses:

  • Directing Actors
  • Directing: Core Elements

It's time to jump into the director's chair! In this two course bundle, you will learn the essentials of directing; from how to develop and execute a vision your vision for a project to how to communicate and collaborate with actors.

Insider Session

Insider Session: Applying to the Sundance Institute Native Lab

With: Isabella Dionne Madrigal and 3 more

Insider Session: Applying to the Sundance Institute Native Lab

With: Isabella Dionne Madrigal, Jared Lank, Adam Piron and Erica Elson
Advisor Studio

Advisor Studio: A Guide to High-Speed, Low-Budget Film Production

With: Miguel Silveira and 2 more

Advisor Studio: A Guide to High-Speed, Low-Budget Film Production

With: Miguel Silveira, Missy Hernandez and Erica Elson
Jan9
Advisor Studio
10:00AM - 11:00AM (PST)

Advisor Studio: Mastering Film Festival Q&As and Audience Engagement

With: Leonard Cortana and Katherine Street

Advisor Studio: Mastering Film Festival Q&As and Audience Engagement

January 5, 2026
10:00AM - 11:00AM (PST)
With: Leonard Cortana and Katherine Street
In this Advisor Studio, scholar and curator Leonard Cortana will discuss in depth the art and nature of the post-screening Q&A, what filmmakers need to do to prepare, tips on how to steer the conversation to create an enlightening and positive experience, and best practices for creating meaningful connections with the audience.
Event Recording

Insider Session: Applying to the Sundance Institute Ignite Program

With: Samina Saifee and 3 more

Insider Session: Applying to the Sundance Institute Ignite Program

With: Samina Saifee, Kat Schulze, Toby Brooks and Katherine Street
Master Class

Master Class: Harnessing AI as a Tool in Animated Storytelling

With: Michaela Ternasky-Holland and Katherine Street

Master Class: Harnessing AI as a Tool in Animated Storytelling

With: Michaela Ternasky-Holland and Katherine Street
Live Online Course

Introduction to Visual Storytelling

Instructor: Hana Kitasei

Introduction to Visual Storytelling

Beginner
Instructor: Hana Kitasei
With an experienced filmmaker as your guide, you will leave the course with a deeper understanding of cinematic language and the confidence to apply these techniques to your own projects. Through in-class analysis and exercises, you’ll understand the key concepts around composition, lenses, color, lighting, and camera movement to evoke specific feelings and immerse your audience in your world.
Event Recording

CDMX 2025: Collaborating with Actors

With: Ash Hoyle and 3 more

CDMX 2025: Collaborating with Actors

With: Ash Hoyle, Carmen Emmi, Laura Casabé and Fernanda Echevarría Del Rivero

Browse 235 courses and events

Filter by:

Format

Cost

Experience Level

Focus Area

Trending
Register by 1/12

Directing Essentials

Beginner to Intermediate
It's time to jump into the director's chair! In this two course bundle, you will learn the essentials of directing; from how to develop and execute a vision your vision for a project to how to communicate and collaborate with actors.
Register by 12/11
Weekend Intensive

Visual Storytelling: The Shot, The Image, and The Camera

Instructor: Peter Markham
Register by 2/9
Self-paced Course

Directing Actors

Instructor: Tessa Blake

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.
Register

Directing Actors (On Demand)

Beginner to Intermediate
Register by 1/12
Self-paced Course

Directing: Core Elements

Instructor: Marie Jamora

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.
Advisor Studio

Advisor Studio: Mastering Film Festival Q&As and Audience Engagement

With: Leonard Cortana and Katherine Street

Advisor Studio: Mastering Film Festival Q&As and Audience Engagement

With: Leonard Cortana and Katherine Street
In this Advisor Studio, scholar and curator Leonard Cortana will discuss in depth the art and nature of the post-screening Q&A, what filmmakers need to do to prepare, tips on how to steer the conversation to create an enlightening and positive experience, and best practices for creating meaningful connections with the audience.

Directing: From Short Film Prep to Festival Submission

Beginner to Intermediate
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.
Live Online Course

Directing: Visual Storytelling

Instructor: Tal Lazar

Directing: Visual Storytelling

Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Tal Lazar

Exploring Independent Cinema: From Shorts to Features

Discover the world of independent cinema through the lens of the Sundance Film Festival in this engaging four-week online cinema studies course which includes Q&As with the filmmakers. Delve into the journeys of Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas), and Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night), and Erica Tremblay (Fancy Dance) all who first made waves with their short films at the Sundance Film Festival before transitioning to feature-length works that captivated audiences and critics alike.

From Dailies to Deliverables: Introduction to Editing and Post-Production

Beginner
Instructor: Julia Kots
In this four-week online course, you will get an overview of the editing and post-production process from an experienced director/editor who has worked in the fiction and documentary space. Each week, you will have the opportunity to learn from guest speakers and ask them questions. By the end of the course, you will learn how to find a great editor, how to effectively communicate with them, and how to collaborate with other members of the post-production team.
Live Online Course

How to Effectively Collaborate with Your Cinematographer

Instructor: Tal Lazar

How to Effectively Collaborate with Your Cinematographer

Intermediate
Instructor: Tal Lazar
In this intermediate four-week online course, you will build on your understanding of the language of visual storytelling and how to effectively communicate your ideas with your collaborators.
Live Online Course

Introduction to Directing

Instructor: Rachel Raimist

Introduction to Directing

Beginner
Instructor: Rachel Raimist
With an experienced film director as your guide, this four-week course will provide you with a fundamental understanding of the craft. By looking at scenes from existing films, discussing different directing techniques, and analyzing case studies, you will learn the director's visual language and the tools they have available to them. Whether you are preparing to direct your first film, transitioning from another industry position into directing, or generally have an interest in directing, this course will provide you with an entry point into the art of filmmaking.
Live Online Course

Introduction to Visual Storytelling

Instructor: Hana Kitasei

Introduction to Visual Storytelling

Beginner
Instructor: Hana Kitasei
With an experienced filmmaker as your guide, you will leave the course with a deeper understanding of cinematic language and the confidence to apply these techniques to your own projects. Through in-class analysis and exercises, you’ll understand the key concepts around composition, lenses, color, lighting, and camera movement to evoke specific feelings and immerse your audience in your world.
Master Class

Master Class: Harnessing AI as a Tool in Animated Storytelling

With: Michaela Ternasky-Holland and Katherine Street

Master Class: Harnessing AI as a Tool in Animated Storytelling

With: Michaela Ternasky-Holland and Katherine Street
Master Class

Master Class: Audio Storytelling with George Lavender (DR. DEATH)

With: George Lavender and 4 more

Master Class: Audio Storytelling with George Lavender (DR. DEATH)

With: George Lavender, Lata Pandya, Martina Castro, James Kim and Melissa Dueñas

Master Class: Integrating Accessibility and Inclusion into Filmmaking

With: Reid Davenport, Day Al-Mohamed and Alison O'Daniel
Live Online Course

Previsualization with AI Tools for Filmmakers

Instructor: Kiki Roeder Daza

Previsualization with AI Tools for Filmmakers

Beginner to Intermediate
Instructor: Kiki Roeder Daza
Over eight focused weeks, you'll master essential AI-driven workflows for concept development, storyboarding, virtual set design, and motion planning. Each session will give you an overview of previsualization skills, followed by practical exercises using AI tools and workflows.
Event Recording

Festival Spotlight 2025: Making Your First Feature

With: Rashad Frett and 3 more

Festival Spotlight 2025: Making Your First Feature

With: Rashad Frett, Alex Russell, Evan Twohy and Soheil Rezayazdi
Event Recording

Festival Spotlight 2025: World Cinema Dramatic Competition

With: Nadia Fall and 3 more

Festival Spotlight 2025: World Cinema Dramatic Competition

With: Nadia Fall, Rohan Kanawade, Alireza Khatami and Erica Elson

Spotlight: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck on Building a Successful Career as Writer/Directors in Film and TV

With: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck and Erica Elson
For this Spotlight Event, Fleck and Boden will discuss their journey from making a short to their first feature, the art of collaboration, and the differences between directing film and television.
Spotlight

Spotlight: Creating Magic in Cinema with Mira Nair

With: Mira Nair and Erica Elson
Spotlight

Spotlight: Jeff Nichols on THE BIKERIDERS

With: Jeff Nichols and Erica Elson

Spotlight: Jeff Nichols on THE BIKERIDERS

With: Jeff Nichols and Erica Elson
Event Recording

Insider Session: Submitting Your Short to the Sundance Film Festival

With: Mike Plante and Katherine Street