Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship 2025 Invites Global Filmmakers Aged 18–25
The Sundance Institute, in partnership with Adobe, has announced the call for submissions for the 2025 Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship, a program designed to empower emerging filmmakers aged 18–25. Open to filmmakers worldwide, the fellowship offers a transformative yearlong experience filled with mentorship, funding, and creative resources.
Applicants are invited to submit a completed short film, ranging from one to 15 minutes, that demonstrates their artistic vision and unique voice as storytellers. The deadline for submissions is February 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. PST. The fellowship also requires supporting materials for a project the applicant plans to work on throughout the year, including lookbooks, treatments, pitch decks, or up to five pages of a script.
Selected fellows will gain numerous benefits, including:
- A $3,000 artist grant.
- Mentorship from Sundance Institute alumni.
- Access to a complimentary 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud membership, where available.
- Participation in monthly webinars, workshops, and workshares designed to hone professional skills.
The fellowship begins with a weeklong in-person lab at MassMoca in North Adams, Massachusetts, where fellows will kick off the program and connect with their creative cohort. This initial meeting sets the tone for a year filled with learning, collaboration, and growth.
Submissions are not restricted by genre or topic, emphasizing the fellowship’s commitment to discovering filmmakers with unique perspectives and bold storytelling approaches. Films must be completed within the last 12 months and meet technical requirements, including being under 15 minutes long and submitted in supported formats such as MP4 or MOV (excluding Apple ProRes compression).
Interested filmmakers can access resources, including the Sundance Collab Filmmaker Toolkit, to craft competitive submissions. This prestigious program, supported by Adobe and Arison Arts Foundation, has a history of nurturing next-generation talent in both documentary and fiction filmmaking.
The Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship is a rare opportunity for young filmmakers to accelerate their careers, build invaluable connections, and gain hands-on experience in the industry.