Sundance Institute Indigenous Program Fellowship
Fellowships from the Sundance Institute supporting Native American and Indigenous filmmakers through labs, mentorship, and creative development for feature film projects.
Overview
The Sundance Institute Indigenous Program supports Native American and Indigenous filmmakers through fellowships, labs, and creative development opportunities. The program was established to address the significant underrepresentation of Indigenous voices in American cinema and to provide the resources, mentorship, and professional connections that enable Indigenous filmmakers to create work that reflects their communities' stories and perspectives.
The Indigenous Program operates within the Sundance Institute's broader ecosystem of labs and creative programs, providing fellows with access to the same caliber of mentorship and development support that has launched the careers of hundreds of independent filmmakers. Fellows participate in the Sundance Labs, where they work intensively with experienced creative advisors on developing their screenplays, directing techniques, and producing strategies.
The program has supported filmmakers whose work has premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes, Berlin, and other major festivals. Indigenous Program alumni have won Spirit Awards, received Academy Award nominations, and built sustained careers as directors, writers, and producers in the American and international film industries.
What It Covers
- Full lab participation including travel, accommodation, and meals during Sundance Labs
- Creative mentorship from established filmmakers and creative advisors
- Screenplay and project development through intensive workshop sessions
- Ongoing support from the Sundance Institute community after the lab
- Industry networking through the Sundance ecosystem of producers, financiers, and distributors
Eligibility
Applicants must be Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Indigenous peoples. Filmmakers must have a feature-length narrative or documentary project in active development. Both emerging and mid-career filmmakers are eligible. There are no restrictions on educational background.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the Sundance Institute's online portal for the Indigenous Program. Submissions include a project description, screenplay or treatment, director's statement, and filmmaker bio. Deadlines vary by lab cycle. There is no application fee.
Who Should Apply
Native American and Indigenous filmmakers with feature projects in development who want intensive creative mentorship and connection to the Sundance independent film community. The program is designed for filmmakers who are ready to develop their projects to the point where they can attract production financing.
See Also
For independent filmmaking strategies, see Independent Filmmaking Strategies. To plan your feature film development, use the Production Budget Calculator.
