The Sundance Documentary Film Program supports documentary as an increasingly important global art form and a critical cultural practice in the 21st century. In a changing media landscape, the program has been a stable, progressive force in supporting work that has expressed the world in creative, complex, beautiful, and provocative ways, and has brought attention to and created real cultural and social impact around some of the most compelling issues of our time.
This funding will enable Sundance Institute to champion, at all stages of their life-cycles, a host of innovative, daring, and authentic nonfiction storytelling projects that facilitate intellectual exploration, inspire awe, and connect audiences to outstanding and compelling new works. Direct grants, coupled with mentorship and resource support through the full cycle of a project’s development, will not only advance 10 nonfiction films per year, but will also help artists further their creative and professional development goals and grow a vibrant audience of independent thinkers.
This partnership will introduce a popular audience to the work of researchers and thought leaders focused on awe-inspiring questions and cutting edge discovery, catalyzing conversations, and inspiring wonder.