Sundance Institute Opens Applications for 2025 Artist Fellowships
The Sundance Institute has announced the opening of applications for several key artist programs for 2025, aimed at fostering emerging talents in film and episodic storytelling. These fellowships provide comprehensive support to filmmakers at various stages of their creative journey, with a focus on elevating unique and underrepresented voices.
One of the prestigious opportunities available is the Merata Mita Fellowship, created in honor of the late Māori filmmaker Merata Mita (Ngāti Pikiao/Ngāi Te Rangi). This fellowship is open to Indigenous women from the U.S. and internationally who are directing feature films. The program seeks to continue Mita’s legacy by providing mentorship and support to Indigenous women storytellers. The deadline for this fellowship is October 28, 2024.
The Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship, catering to filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 25, is another highlight of the 2025 program lineup. Applicants must submit a short film to be considered for this year-long fellowship, which includes mentorship, resources, and an invitation to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Submissions open on November 7, 2024.
For producers working on both fiction and nonfiction projects, Sundance's Producers Track offers two separate programs for documentary and feature film producers. The program provides fellows with hands-on experience and personalized guidance to help develop their works-in-progress. Applications for the 2025 Producers Lab and Fellowship begin on November 19, 2024.
In addition, the Native Lab Fellowship has been a cornerstone of Sundance’s support for Indigenous filmmakers since 2004. This program helps Native and Indigenous storytellers refine their technical skills and storytelling approaches through workshops, one-on-one feedback, and group discussions. Applications for the 2025 Native Lab open on December 2, 2024.
These programs are part of Sundance's ongoing commitment to nurturing independent voices and promoting diverse perspectives in the filmmaking industry. For more information on how to apply, filmmakers are encouraged to visit the Sundance Collab, a digital platform offering resources and courses for global artists year-round. Courses such as “The Many Roles of the Producer,” “Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements,” and “How to Craft a Suspenseful Horror Screenplay” are open for registration throughout October.
As deadlines approach, interested artists are urged to explore these opportunities and submit their applications promptly.