Producing Your Independent Short Film

A short film is more than a creative exercise — it's the start of a portfolio, a calling card for the industry, and one of the fastest ways to launch a career. But while the runtime may be short, the stakes are high. To succeed, you'll need to navigate complex production logistics — funding, locations, casting, crew — without losing sight of your creative vision. And once the film is in the can, you'll need to figure out how best to showcase it and stand out.

In this self-paced course, Emmy and Oscar-winning film producer Andrew Carlberg (Skin, The Blazing World, Jack and Sam) deconstructs the producer’s journey from development to distribution. Carlberg shares the toolkit he uses, empowering you to lead your project with the confidence of an industry veteran.

This course is built upon the foundation of a Sundance Collab Master Class and features exclusive insights from Andrew Carlberg and a roster of award-winning filmmakers and industry professionals.

In this course, you will:

• Develop the skills and mindset to be a successful producer
• Learn how to find the right collaborators
• Explore financing options to find what best suits your needs
• Acquire the skills needed to create a positive environment on set
• Increase your knowledge of scheduling and budgeting
• Create strategies for navigating film festivals and distributors

Who this course is for: Your enrollment includes a workbook to guide your progress and access to several additional videos from Sundance Collab's Video Library.

Additional Benefits: Your enrollment includes a workbook and access to additional videos from Sundance Collab's Video Library.

Live Interaction and Support:

• Weekly Group Office Hours: Join live online sessions with a Sundance Collab Advisor. Get your production questions answered, troubleshoot your specific project hurdles, and network with a global community of peers.
• Private 1-on-1 Production Strategy (Optional Upgrade): For filmmakers seeking tailored guidance, book a 60-minute personalized session with a Sundance Collab Advisor to discuss and refine your production strategy ($150).

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.