Directing: From Short Film Prep to Festival Submission

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.

You'll master the art of pre-production planning while developing your unique directorial voice. Through hands-on case studies of successful short films and interactive exercises, you'll build the practical skills and creative confidence needed to lead a successful production.. 

By the end of the course, you will:

• understand the short film format, including different lengths and genres.
• define your creative vision and hone your style as a director. 
• develop visual references and a cinematic language for your film.
• learn how to break down your script as a director.
• understand shooting styles and formats.
• develop an approach to assemble your crew, manage a budget, and prepare for production.
• develop an approach to casting and working with actors.
• learn how to collaborate with an editor.
• develop an approach to post-production 
• learn about film festivals, programmers, and possibilities for distribution.

This course is ideal for:

• directors looking to make their first short fiction film.
• directors who have made a fiction short previously, but looking for more formal guidance for their next project.
• non-fiction directors looking to pivot into fiction.

For an additional fee of $150, you may elect to meet with your Instructor for a 60-minute 1-1 session at the end of the course. You would submit a draft of your short film screenplay (no more than 20 pages) in advance and then receive feedback during the 1-1 session from your Instructor.

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available and are considered on a rolling basis as they are received. Those who apply earlier will have a greater chance of getting support. To apply for a scholarship, please complete the registration form and follow the instructions on the left side to fill out a scholarship application.

Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Accommodations and services are designed to meet the needs of each participant. Please email us at accessibility@sundance.org to arrange for services.