In our Insider Sessions, Sundance Institute staff answer your questions and guide you through the process of applying to our labs, grant opportunities and the Sundance Film Festival.


For this Insider Session, join Sundance Institute team members Shira Rockowitz, Kristin Feeley, Lauren Lukow, Maria Clement, Maria Santos, and Andrea Alarcon to learn more about applying to the Feature Film Producers Track, Documentary Producers Track, and/or Doc Edit and Story Lab!


The Producers Track is an open application that supports emerging independent producers with a work-in-progress feature-length film to be considered for the Producers Lab & Fellowship (yearlong program commencing July 2022) and the Producers Intensive (two-day concentrated program in fall 2022). There are two different Producer Tracks: Feature Film (fiction) or Documentary Film (nonfiction). For more information on the Producers Track, visit the Sundance Institute Producers Program homepage.


The Documentary Edit and Story Lab is an open application that supports four film teams (directors and editors) with documentary feature films in mid-/late post-production. Lab fellows advance their projects through rigorous creative exploration and discussion of story structure and character development with world-class advisors.




ABOUT FFP

The Sundance Institute Feature Film Program has supported and championed many of the leading independent filmmakers of the past 40 years whose distinctive, singular films have engaged audiences worldwide. The unique vision of each filmmaker is embraced, encouraging a rigorous creative process with a focus on original and deeply resonant storytelling. The Institute’s guiding values of risk-taking, community, inclusion, and freedom of expression have broadened the program to include American and international artists in a more meaningful and vibrant dialogue across cultural, political, and geographic boundaries. Over the years, the Feature Film Program has evolved to provide in-depth year-round support to a next generation of diverse filmmakers from development through distribution and has become a global model for supporting artists around the world.


ABOUT DFP

The Sundance Documentary Film Program supports nonfiction filmmakers worldwide in the production of cinematic documentaries on contemporary themes. Established in 2002 with founding support from Open Society Foundations, the Program is a vibrant global resource for independent non-fiction storytelling. Recent projects include Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht’s Crip Camp; Maite Alberdi’s The Mole Agent; Jacqueline Olive’s Always in Season; Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar’s American Factory; Petra Costa’s The Edge of Democracy; Talal Derki’s Of Fathers and Sons; RaMell Ross’s Hale County This Morning, This Evening; and Bing Lui’s Minding the Gap. Year-round support of filmmakers—including granting, creative labs, and strategic advice from development to distribution—amounts to a commitment to documentary as an increasingly important global art form and a critical cultural practice in the 21st century.



APPLICATION DATES

FFP Producers Track: closes February 10, 2022

DFP Producers Track: closes February 10, 2022

Documentary Edit and Story Lab: closes January 18, 2022


To apply visit:

FEATURE FILM PRODUCERS TRACK

DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCERS TRACK

DOCUMENTARY EDIT AND STORY LAB



Resources:

Download the presentation deck for the 2022 Sundance Institute Producers Track

Download the presentation deck for the 2022 Sundance Institute Documentary Story & Edit Lab

Andrea Alarcon
Panelist
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Andrea Alarcon joined the DFP team in 2019 and supports the processes for the program's artist-focused Labs, including the Documentary Edit & Story Lab, the Music & Sound Design Lab, the Creative Producing Lab & Fellowship and the Contributing Editor Fellowship. She is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Film and Digital Media, with a concentration in documentary film. more...
Maria Clement
Panelist
Maria Clement supports independent nonfiction storytellers year round as Manager of Creative Producing and Artist Support for the Documentary Film Program. She oversees the Documentary Producers Lab and Fellowship, Producers Summit and provides creative advice to DFP supported artists. Maria holds a staff advisory role with the Sundance Documentary Fund. more...
Kristin Feeley
Panelist
Kristin Feeley oversees creative Labs and Fellowships at the Documentary Film Program, which include four residential artist-focused Labs. She co-programs the annual Creative Producing Summit and programs for DFP-supported artists at Sundance Film Festival, which serves over 150 artists annually.
Lauren Lukow
Panelist
As the Manager of Producing and Artist Support for the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, Lauren Lukow supports the work of emerging independent producers, screenwriters, and directors in fiction features. Previously, she served as Coordinator of the Screenwriters and Directors Labs, while also providing direct support to Founding Director, Michelle Satter. more...
Shira Rockowitz
Panelist
Los Angeles, CA, USA
As Director of Producing and Artist Support in the Feature Film Program, Shira Rockowitz leads the organization’s strategy for supporting emerging independent fiction producers, screenwriters, and directors. Prioritizing inclusion and underrepresented voices, she devises programs that encompass creative and professional development, granting, mentorship, and industry engagement to help artists advance their work and build enduring careers. more...
Maria Santos
Panelist
Maria Santos joined the Sundance Documentary Film Program (DFP) in September 2020 as Manager of Labs and Artist Support. She oversees DFP creative labs and provides year-round creative and strategic support to all DFP supported artists. Originally from Peru, Maria is an independent film producer who has worked in distribution as well as artist development at companies including ARRAY and Cinereach.

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