Documentary Filmmaking: From Prep to Post

Sundance Collab offers a robust collection of online courses in the Sundance spirit of amplifying your independent voice as a storyteller. Join our global community to hone your craft, network with other creators, and develop career strategies to help you navigate the film and television industry.


Documentary filmmaking deeply explores and illuminates meaningful topics, individuals and issues with a perspective and storytelling approach that is unique to the work. The impact of documentaries is often far-reaching and is a pathway to stimulating civil discourse around an essential topic and making change. But the process of making a documentary can feel overwhelming. Where should you look for funding? How do you approach making a schedule and budget? When have you shot enough footage? How do you find your story and style through all of the footage? And then, how do you find your audience? 


If you’re looking for answers to these questions, join us for a weekend-long intensive in which we will tackle these topics and more. With an experienced Director and Producer as your guides, you’ll get an opportunity to learn from multiple perspectives, ask questions, and network with fellow documentary filmmakers. 


By the end of the weekend, you will have received an overview of what every filmmaker should know about making a documentary, from pre-production to distribution.


Intensive Schedule

Friday, February 24

  • 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (PT)

Saturday, February 25

  • 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PT)
  • 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (PT)

Sunday, February 26

  • 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PT)
  • 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (PT)


This intensive is ideal for:

  • First-time documentary filmmakers with an idea for a documentary
  • Documentary filmmakers preparing to shoot their film
  • Documentary directors who want to learn more about the producing process 
  • Documentary producers and directors who want to learn more about post-production and distribution 
  • Filmmakers transitioning from fiction to documentary  

Enrollment is up to 50 participants.

This Intensive is not eligible for any Course Pass discounts.


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.