Documentary Filmmaking: From Rough Cut to Fine Cut

Take your documentary to the next level in this immersive eight-week online workshop designed for filmmakers ready to refine their films in post-production. Whether you're crafting a short, a feature, or a series, this course offers the rare opportunity to workshop your project with a seasoned filmmaker and a tight-knit group of fellow creatives—all focused on helping you break through creative roadblocks and uncover your film’s strongest form.

What to expect:

This is a hands-on, collaborative lab where in-depth feedback and personalized mentorship drive the process. You’ll engage in structured critiques, one-on-one guidance, and peer sessions that give you fresh perspectives on your footage—and a clear path forward.

What you’ll experience:

This intensive workshop combines collaborative feedback sessions with personalized attention from your instructor. Through structured critiques and one-on-one mentorship, you’ll discover creative solutions to your most challenging editing decisions.

Course structure:

• Week 1: Meet your instructor and fellow filmmakers, explore each other’s projects and establish goals
• Weeks 2-6: Participate in weekly small-group sessions where you’ll give and receive detailed feedback on two documentary projects each week. You will watch up to an hour of documentary material before each class session (30 minutes of material per project will be reviewed)
• Week 7: Practice and refine your project pitch in a peer feedback session led by your Course Producer
• Week 8: Benefit from a private 30-minute consultation with your Sundance Collab Instructor to address specific challenges and your next steps

What you’ll get from the course:

• Significant feedback on your documentary project from the instructor and your fellow classmates
• The chance to pitch your project and receive feedback from your peers on your pitch
• A 1-1 meeting with the instructor to discuss your project in detail
• A community of like-minded filmmakers 

Who should enroll:

Documentary filmmakers with rough-cut footage ready for review. This collaborative environment is designed to nurture your creative vision while providing practical tools to elevate your film.

 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.