Advisor Studio: Simone Ling (MOSQUITA Y MARI) on Navigating Labs, Grants and Resources in the Independent Film Space
About this Advisor Studio
In Advisor Studio sessions, Sundance Collab Advisors share field experiences and insights into their specific areas of craft, including writing, directing and producing for TV and film.
As filmmakers in pursuit of our dreams, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to navigating the opportunities and resources available in the independent film space. Creative Producer, Story Consultant, and Educator Simone Ling guides us on how to apply for labs and grants to help kickstart your next project. She reviews some of the global resources available to artists, explores how to approach the application process, and dives into best practices for grant writing. This conversation provides practical advice on many of the key opportunities and important tools available to any artist seeking exposure and funding for their next film or creative project.
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Advisor StudioTeam
Simone Ling
Advisor
SIMONE LING is a producer and educator whose feature credits include Spirit Award nominee Mosquita Y Mari and They, an Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival nominated for a Queer Palm and the Camera d’Or. Award-winning short projects include documentaries My Lunch With Suki and To Dance Again, narratives Moving Out and Bloomed in the Water, and VR piece Emerging Radiance.
Moving between London and Los Angeles, Simone is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America, MPEG/IATSE, and BAFTA and is Deputy Chair of BAFTA’s North America Learning, Inclusion and Talent Committee. A Film Independent, SFFilm Rainin, Tribeca, WIF/Sundance, and TransAtlantic Partners fellow, she consults and curates for festivals, filmmakers and labs worldwide.
With masters degrees from the University of Oxford and Stanford University, Simone is Senior Faculty at the AFI Conservatory and shepherds her own slate with a focus on being in the margins.