Category: News

It was almost three months ago that I first stepped into the Sundance Institute offices. At that time, I knew and respected the Institute’s work and had attended the Sundance Film Festival for many years as part of my work for HBO and Miramax. I was keenly aware that the Institute had supported some of the most ground-breaking work and artists in film and theatre of the last 30 years.

Los Angeles, CA–Sundance Institute today announced the Documentary Film Program grant recipients for the Spring 2010 round. Eighteen feature-length documentary films, chosen from 750 filmmakers in 111 countries, will receive a total of $500,000 in support. In addition to financial assistance, all of the filmmakers are eligible for a range of year-round creative support services from Sundance Institute, including Creative Labs, Work-in-Progress screenings, and documentary activity at the Sundance Creative Producing Summit and Sundance Film Festival.

Los Angeles — Seven documentary filmmakers representing four films, and four music composers have been invited as Fellows to the Sundance Film Composer & Documentary Lab taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah from June 27-July 2, 2010. The Fellows include documentary feature filmmakers currently supported by the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, and four composers immersing themselves in the art of film music composition. Together they will explore the creative process in sound and story, and the role of film music in nonfiction storytelling.

Los Angeles, CA –Sundance Institute today announced the 12 Documentary Film Fellows representing five film projects participating in the seventh Documentary Edit and Story Laboratory, June 19 – 27 in Sundance, Utah. Held in the Wasatch Mountains at Sundance Resort, the Lab supports filmmakers whose projects represent some of the most visionary, committed and crafted films now in production.
Fellows are invited from the grantee pool of about 60 active projects which the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program is currently funding.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sundance Institute invites filmmakers to participate in ShortsLab: L.A., its first-ever short film workshop on July 31at the Downtown Independent Theater.

New York, NY — Sundance Institute is preparing to launch its inaugural Sundance Institute Theatre Lab in East Africa, taking place July 9-29, 2010 on the island of Manda off the coast of Kenya. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Producing Artistic Director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, the Lab will provide artists with guidance in their creative development toward final production. Modeled on the annual Sundance Institute Theatre Labs, Sundance Institute East Africa is an exchange and development program, and participants will share training and mentorship techniques.

Park City, UT – The 2010 Sundance Film Festival generated an overall economic impact of $62.7 million for the state of Utah, supported over 1,500 jobs, generated over $18 million in media exposure and provided millions in tax revenue, according to the annual economic and demographic study conducted by the University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the David Eccles School of Business (BEBR). The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced the findings today, which were generated using an economic impact model known as RIMS II, developed by the U.

I have devoted a significant part of my life’s work in support of the independent artist — independent referring not to the size of a project, its funding or subject matter; rather, to the singular vision and voice of that artist. I founded Sundance Institute 30 years ago out of the belief that it is vital to ensure that the artist’s voice remains vibrant, valued and heard in civil society at large.
It is with this in mind that I ask you to join me in bringing wider attention and broader support to a critically important case currently in play in U.

Park City, UT– Sundance Institute announced today that Sydney Freeland, with her project, Drunktown’s Finest, has been named the 2010 George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation Directors Lab Fellow. Freeland is attending the 2010 Sundance Institute June Directors Lab at the Sundance Resort, June 1 – 12, 2010.

Los Angeles, CA – Sundance Institute announced today the acting company for its 2010 Theatre Lab on Governors Island, which begins today, June 1 and runs through June 12. Under the artistic direction of Philip Himberg, Producing Artistic Director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, the Lab will provide these projects with guidance in the development of new work for the stage. The 2010 ensemble company includes: Wade Allain-Marcus, Vanessa Aspillaga (Anna in the Tropics), Aya Cash, Caroline Clay (Doubt), Shana Dowdeswell, Jan Leslie Harding (The Green Bird), Daoud Heidami (Aftermath), Neal Huff (Take Me Out), Jake Lacy, January LaVoy (ENRON), Christopher Larkin, Rory Lipede, Maryann Plunkett (Me and My Girl), Hubert Point-Du Jour, Karen Pittman (Passing Strange), Karen Young (A Lie of the Mind), and Laurie Williams (Sight Unseen).

Free Screening of Boy to Showcase Institute’s Spectrum of Support for Native and Indigenous Filmmaking at Santa Fe’s Lensic Performing Arts Center on May 22
Los Angeles, CA – Sundance Institute today announced four fellows and projects selected for the 2010 Sundance Institute-Ford Foundation Fellowship. The Sundance Institute’s Native American and Indigenous Program created the fellowship with support from the Ford Foundation to provide direct support to emerging Native American and Indigenous film artists working in the U.S.

Park City, UT – Sundance Institute announced today its summer screening schedule and unique collaborations with local cultural organizations, expanding the reach of the year-round Film Series and its showcasing of innovative works supported by the Sundance Institute. With a strong history of serving as a cultural catalyst by bringing films and artists to the area, the Sundance Institute is joining forces with organizations to create memorable Film Series screenings and events while strengthening community engagement.
“This season we wanted to recognize that the Sundance Institute shares similar objectives with our vibrant arts and culture neighbors in delivering an innovative and exciting summer film series.