Producing Your Short Film

Weekend Intensive

The short film can serve many purposes: it can be the entry-point for first-time filmmakers, be the main storytelling form for life-long artists, or it can be a proof-of-concept for a larger project. Whichever purpose fits your short film, it is still a huge undertaking for an independent filmmaker.


From development to funding, through production and navigating the festival circuit, this weekend intensive will empower you in your creative journey as you take the next step in making your short film a reality. With an experienced producer as your guide, you will learn the ins and outs of short filmmaking, and demystify the process. Whether you are producing someone else’s film, or wearing many hats for your production, this intensive will give you the tools you need to run an effective shoot.


What you bring to the course:

  • A general understanding of filmmaking terminology.
  • An interest in making short films as a producer or multi-hyphenate. 

What you’ll get from the course:

  • An understanding of the short film format
  • Insights on fundraising and low-budget filmmaking strategies
  • How to approach pre-production
  • Methods for finding the right cast and crew
  • Troubleshooting common on-set challenges
  • An understanding of the post-production process
  • Best practices for prepping your film and applying for festivals and distribution

This course will:

  • provide tools and techniques to apply to any project.
  • connect you with other creators via a discussion board where you can discuss core concepts and share your work.

Intensive Schedule


Friday, May 31:

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT


Saturday, June 1:

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT


Sunday, June 2:

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT


Course enrollment is approximately 50 participants per session. 


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.