Sundance Institute announces the COVID-19 Respond and Reimagine Plan with $1Million in emergency relief (funds) for independent artists and organizations. Read below how to apply. 

Breaking the financial boundaries of independent projects

In recent years, Sundance Institute has launched several initiatives in order to help independent artists, filmmakers, content creators, and organizations to step up and execute their dreams – making films. The launch of Sundance Co//ab which is an educational platform for creators that contains useful information on how to develop and serve independent films, has accumulated a vast amount of great resources that help filmmakers all over the world. Furthermore, Sundance Co//ab recently announced free access to all its masterclass and workshops to filmmakers during the COVID-19 lockdown situation. We wrote an in-depth article regarding one of Co//ab free courses – Film Crowdfunding Strategies with Kickstarter, which elaborates on important methods of how to get your project funded via the Kickstarter platform. Now, Sundance Institute takes this important support a step further by establishing a fund for independent artists. Read on.

COVID-19 Respond Plan

This COVID-19 Respond and Reimagine Plan was established to assist independent artists in this unprecedented time. As explained by Sundance Institute:”Listening to artists and colleagues across our field, we recognize the need for an urgent response to the current crisis combined with the longer-term reimagination of the ways we support artists and design the systems that enable their work to reach audiences. Today we are announcing part of our urgent response, as we continue to work towards longer and sustainable solutions”. 

$1Million Urgent Fund 

Thus, Sundance Institute announces a $1Million urgent fund to support the immediate needs of artists in the independent filmmaking community, as well as other organizations that share Sundance’s focus on “inclusive storytelling”. As stated by Sundance: “We are launching a $1 million urgent fund to support the immediate needs of artists in our community, as well as other filmmakers in need and organizations that share our focus on inclusive storytelling”. According to Sundance, one-third of the fund will support Sundance Institute-curated artists, while two-thirds will be dedicated to emergency support for the wider community of independent artists, deployed in collaboration with partner nonprofit organizations.

We are launching a $1 million urgent fund to support the immediate needs of artists in our community, as well as other filmmakers in need and organizations that share our focus on inclusive storytelling

Sundance Institute

Immediate support for 100 Sundance Institute-selected artists

According to Sundance, grants will be given to the 2020 spring and summer Lab participants to be used for artists’ emergency funds or for project development. Each of these artists will also receive creative and strategic support through Sundance Institute’s Lab programs, which have transitioned from in-person gatherings to events hosted on the Co//ab digital platform. 

Emergency financial support to artists across the U.S

Furthermore, the Sundance Institute partnered with the Artist Relief organization which contributed a needs-based fund. The Artist Relief will distribute funds to artists as quickly and efficiently as possible. As stated by Sundance: “Our partnership with Artist Relief will provide our experience and support to film, media, and theatre artists who are facing dire circumstances due to COVID-19 with emergency grants of $5,000“. Applications for that fund are now open for Cycle I, which closes at 11:59 pm ET on April 23rd. Click this link to apply. 

Emergency financial support to the U.S. and international independent artist organizations

As stated by Sundance Institute: “Our peer organizations, funders, and artists will nominate organizations who will then be invited to apply. The final selection will be made by the Institute and a panel of outside advisors. Applications will be evaluated on organizational impact and artist community reach.” Click here for further instruction regarding this process.

We are still raising funds to support the immediate needs of artists and address the longer-term impacts on our industry, and we are encouraged to see so many people joining these efforts

Sundance Institute

“This is just the first step”

Sundance Institute emphasizes that these steps are initial and more funding opportunities will be revealed later. As stated by Sundance: “We are still raising funds to support the immediate needs of artists and address the longer-term impacts on our industry, and we are encouraged to see so many people joining these efforts”. We’ll keep you posted regarding more funding opportunities for the independent filmmaking community, so stay tuned.