Sundance Collab

Sundance Collab is a global digital learning and community platform of the Sundance Institute.

08/17/2026

How do you make a film look like a horror movie? 🎥

Writer-director Adrian Chiarella breaks down the cinematography of LEVITICUS, from using zoom lenses to evoke classic ’70s horror to building a visual language that quietly tells the audience something isn’t right.

LEVITICUS made its debut at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it became the first acquisition of the Festival with a sale to NEON.

Want more filmmaking insights? Watch the full conversation with Adrian Chiarella on Sundance Collab.

IndieFilm Leviticus Sundance

08/17/2026

Don’t miss INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTING, a 4-week live online course led by Dr. Rachel Raimist (Elsbeth, Bel-Air, S*x Life, Wu-Tang: An American Saga).

As a tenured professor and influential DGA committee leader, Dr. Raimist brings decades of hands-on experience and equity-driven mentorship directly to your screen.

What you’ll explore: 🎬 Visual language, composition, and blocking 🎬 On-set etiquette and crew leadership 🎬 How to effectively communicate with actors 🎬 Navigating every phase from prep to post

No active project or screenplay needed — creators at every level are welcome to join this inclusive and supportive environment.

💡 Bonus: Enrolled students have the exclusive opportunity to book a 1-on-1 personalized 45-minute guidance meeting with Dr. Raimist!

📅 Aug 20 – Sept 10 (Thursdays, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. PT)

🚨 Deadline to Register: August 18

08/17/2026

From Walter White to Carol Sturka: how do you write characters that define a generation of television?

On Friday, August 21, join us for a free live Spotlight event: Vince Gilligan on Constructing the Unforgettable Characters of PLURIBUS.

We’re sitting down with master storyteller Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Pluribus) to dissect his character-building process, his collaborative approach to the writers’ room, and how he crafted his newest Apple TV+ series.

The Breakdown:

Writing imperfect heroes audiences root for
Running an effective TV writers’ room
Visual world-building and location-driven storytelling
Translating high-concept sci-fi into grounded human drama
When: Friday, August 21, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. PDT
Fee: Free (Registration required)
Link in Bio: Claim your free ticket at our link in bio!

Screenwriting TVWriting WritersRoom FilmDirector ScreenwriterLife AppleTV IndieFilm

08/14/2026

There are only a few days left to apply for the Merrell Brand-Supported Storytelling Program!

We’re inviting five filmmakers to create 60-90 second films exploring one idea: It Starts Outside. Real stories, real perspectives. The story can be documentary or fiction but must emphasize authentic human experiences.

Selected filmmakers will receive:
— $20,000 to produce a 60-90 second documentary or fiction film
— Access to virtual program focused on brand-supported storytelling
— Invitation to the private screening at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival with accommodation

Want to learn more? Watch our Insider Session with Merrell’s Global Creative Director, Alex Ho and Sundance Collab Director, Patty West on Sundance Collab.

Applications close August 18

08/09/2026

How do you tear up the traditional documentary playbook?

For nearly three decades, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sam Green (The Weather Underground, A Thousand Thoughts) has been redefining non-fiction cinema at the Sundance Film Festival — turning raw audio, forgotten archives, and experimental live scoring into transcendent film experiences.
Now, he’s opening up his creative lab to you.

Join our weekend intensive, Innovative Documentary Storytelling with Sam Green, to move beyond standard talking heads and transform real-world chaos into gripping narrative engines.

What you’ll learn:

🎙️ Build texture-driven worlds with archives & soundscapes
🎥 Conduct sit-down interviews that unearth emotional truth
💸 Navigate funding, festivals & modern distribution
🧠 Balance pre-production planning with creative discovery
🗓️ August 14–16 ⏳ Registration Deadline: August 13 🎟️ Tuition: $395
👉 Tap the link in our bio to enroll before spots fill up!

08/08/2026

Got a story inside you waiting to be written?

Whether you’re writing your very first feature or stepping into screenwriting for the first time, getting started doesn't have to be overwhelming.
In Introduction to Screenwriting, AFI graduate and screenwriter Michael Urban (SAVED!) will help you turn your ideas into a compelling screenplay across four live, hands-on sessions.

What you’ll gain:
💡 A deep dive into feature film structure
💡 Practical tools for beat sheets, outlines, and treatments
💡 Character development and theme-building techniques
💡 Mastery of screenplay formatting & industry software

No script required before starting—just your imagination and desire to learn!
📅 Aug 19 – Sept 9 (Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. PT)
🚨 Registration Deadline: August 17

🔗 Link in bio to join the class!

07/31/2026

Want the inside scoop on the Merrell Brand-Supported Storytelling Program? 👀

Join us August 11 for a live online Insider Session with Merrell’s Global Creative Director, Alex Ho, and Sundance Collab Director, Patty West, to learn about this inaugural global initiative, what the program is looking for, and how to submit a competitive application.

🌲 Sundance Collab x Merrell are launching the Merrell Brand-Supported Storytelling Program.

We’re inviting five filmmakers to create a 60–90 second film exploring one idea: It Starts Outside.

Selected filmmakers will receive:
🎬 $20,000 to produce a 60–90 second film

💻 Access to a virtual program focused on brand-supported storytelling

🎥 An invitation to a private screening at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, with accommodations provided

Applications are open now. Register for the Insider Session and learn how to make your submission stand out. Link in bio.

FilmCommunity Storytelling CreativeOpportunity

07/29/2026

It’s been 20 years since Little Miss Sunshine danced its way into Park City, stole our hearts, and changed independent cinema forever. $100M at the box office, two Oscars, and an iconic legacy later, the “little indie film that could” is taking over our next Sundance Collab Film Club!

Join us for a free, high-energy, community deep dive into this total crowdpleaser. Our host — writer, producer, and lead lecturer Kiva Reardon (“Sorry, Baby”) — is breaking down:

🎬 How to land that impossible, perfect tragicomic tone
💡 The secret sauce that made this story connect with millions worldwide
🛠️ How one film defined a whole subgenre of feel-good indie cinema

Mark you calendars: A brand new title will drop every single month, so make sure to follow Sundance Collab. And, for additional filmmaker content, head to the Film Club’s HQ The Sundance Institute.

07/28/2026

🚀 Apply to the Merrell Brand-Supported Storytelling Program with Sundance Collab.

Sundance Collab x are launching a global storytelling program to select 5 filmmakers to create 60–90s vertical films. The prompt? Explore how stepping outside is the ultimate antidote to our screen-locked lives.

No traditional ads. No mandatory product focus. Just real human transformation.
The Perks: 🧠 An online brand-supported storytelling program 💰 $20,000 budget 🏔️ Covered hotel stay for one to join us at the Sundance Film Festival in Jan 2027!
💡 Want to stand out? Join our live Insider Session featuring Alex Ho (Creative Director, Merrell) and Patty West (Director, Sundance Collab) and hear what they’re looking for.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to RSVP for the Insider Session and read the application requirements.

Storytelling SundanceInstitute

Address

Los Angeles, CA

Website

https://collab.sundance.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sundance Collab posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.