In this Advisor Studio session, veteran producer and location scout Gerry Kim will explore how to scout with both artistry and strategy.

In this session, you will hear from Institute members, advisors, and alumni who will reflect on where it all started. Don’t miss this chance to hear from some of the key figures from the Sundance Institute for a deeper understanding of Redford as our guiding light for the future of filmmaking.

In this session, you will hear from Institute members, advisors, and alumni who will reflect on where it all started. Don’t miss this chance to hear from some of the key figures from the Sundance Institute for a deeper understanding of Redford as our guiding light for the future of filmmaking.

As AI tools become more widely available, they also raise questions about ethical boundaries and legal concerns. Led by veteran entertainment attorney Elsa Ramo, this one-hour session covers important guidelines to follow when using AI in your filmmaking workflow. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of common pitfalls and red flags in AI generative content and what guardrails need to be established when it comes to ethics, ownership and technical safeguards. This session provides an overview of different AI use cases in various aspects from development, packaging, production, and distribution.

Join us for a deep dive into the actor/director relationship, the lessons learned from decades on set, and their take on the future of independent cinema. Discover how a shared artistic language can push the boundaries of genre, and what it truly means to grow alongside your closest collaborators.

Find new ways to bring your ideas to life without waiting for a greenlight from the powers-that-be. In this session, you will discover how LLMs (Language Learning Models) can support your creative process in ideation, research, and drafting while maintaining authorship of your work. Filmmakers Bryan Hill and Julius Pryor IV will walk you through using Generative AI tools as an assistant to help streamline your journey from script to pre-production.

Virtual production (VP) offers filmmakers a new avenue to achieve high production value on a smaller budget. In this immersive introduction to the technology, viewers receive a virtual tour of Studio Ulster, one of Europe’s most ambitious VP studios located in Belfast, Ireland. Representatives from Studio Ulster discuss the benefits, logistical issues, and challenges unique to VP. Viewers also hear from independent producer Jamie Harvey on his honest experiences working with VP. This session offers an informed, on-the-ground exploration of VP for independent filmmakers curious of the new technologies, including: LED volumes, real-time engines, camera tracking, in-camera VFX (ICVFX), and motion (or emotion) capture (MOCAP).

In this Advisor Studio, veteran Casting Director Richard Hicks will guide you through the full casting process, from breaking down scripts and developing character briefs to crafting a strategy for outreach, auditions, and offers. You will gain insight into how Casting Directors interpret a filmmaker’s vision, present creative options, and balance artistic goals with understanding actor market value, budget, and scheduling realities.

In this hour-long conversation for filmmakers of all levels, you’ll get a chance to ask questions about producing and directing some of Hollywood’s biggest films. Joseph Kosinski will discuss crafting memorable heroes, bringing his unique take to existing IP, and directing thrilling action sequences.

In this Advisor Studio session, veteran producer and location scout Gerry Kim will explore how to scout with both artistry and strategy.