In order to qualify as a U.S. Narrative Feature Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events, and at least half of the project's financing must originate from within the United States.

How do you get your film into Sundance?

Sundance Film Festival FAQ

The first step is to complete the online submission form, then send a copy of your film to the address provided. The festival receives over 12,500 submissions for around 275 berths, so the chances of selection are quite slim.

How hard is it to get accepted to Sundance?

Drea watches more than 350 films every single year and plays an active role in whether they're successful or not. She's well aware of the uphill climb many filmmakers face to get accepted — she said Sundance receives around 14,000 submissions every year and only 100 actually get a premiere.

Can anyone go to Sundance film?

Most screenings and panels at Sundance are open to the general public, in addition to many industry professionals who regularly attend. However, the level of access to everything at the festival varies. Sundance Film Festival tickets, packages and passes can be purchased on the Sundance Film Festival website.

What are the odds of getting into Sundance Film Festival?

Even people with only a passing interest in cinema are familiar with the phrase “Sundance bidding war” or “Sundance darling”. When you consider the odds on such a lottery ticket, bear in mind that 98% of the feature films submitted to Sundance for the 2024 festival were rejected.

Sundance Film Festival For Dummies

Can regular people go to Sundance?

Though it usually attracts movie enthusiasts, celebrities and industry professionals from around the globe, you don't have to be a VIP to attend – anyone can buy tickets and enjoy the Festival.

Is Sundance Film Festival expensive?

Sundance is expensive. If you can allot the time and money to go, you'll want to make the most of your experience. So here's how to make it even more worth your while.

How does the Sundance waitlist work?

The waitlist allows you to take a number electronically via your phone or computer two hours before the film. It tells you what your chances are of getting into the film. All you have to do is sign up and be at the theater 30 minutes early. The wait list actually works well.

How expensive is it to go to Sundance?

This year in-person single tickets will cost $30 each, a $5 increase from last year's festival. Single online screenings also went up to $25 each.

How much does Sundance cost?

Stream with Sundance Now

Sundance Now has 2 plan options following a 7-day free trial: A monthly plan for $6.99/month. A yearly plan for $59.99/year (or 4.99/month!)

Does Sundance only accept premieres?

Open submissions to our U.S. Feature Film categories must be world premieres, while open submissions to our International Feature Films categories must be international premieres. However, we reserve the right to select projects for some out-of-competition programs that do not meet these requirements.

How many short films does Sundance accept?

A Sundance short requires the length of the film to be 49 minutes or less, though the average is usually between seven and 15. They can be narrative, animated, documentary or anything art-driven and experimental. Only 60 short films are chosen from a submission pool of around 9,000—all due on September 15.

What kind of short films get into Sundance?

Every type of filmmaking style is welcome: animation, documentary, narrative, and experimental stories are chosen to reflect the diversity and range of each year's pool of submissions. The Sundance Film Festival accepts content that is 49 minutes or under for the Short Film category from any country.

Does Sundance accept rough cuts?

Sometimes we get rough cuts early in our process from filmmakers looking for an early read or hoping we'll be interested enough to watch subsequent versions. Other times, we'll get cuts that have been rushed to meet the fall deadline. We've even received films that have yet to shoot a good portion of the scenes.

Do film festivals make money?

Festivals have several ways of making money. For one thing, they sell tickets. For another, they solicit corporate sponsorship. Sponsoring a film festival provides major brand enhancement.

Does Sundance require a world premiere?

However, here's a roadmap to guide you in submitting your film to the Sundance Film Festival for the 2025 edition or future years: Eligibility: World Premiere Status: Your film must be a world premiere, meaning it cannot have been publicly exhibited (theatrical, television, online) before the film festival.

Do famous people go to Sundance Film Festival?

There is no doubt that the mind-bending features, hard-hitting documentaries, shorts, rom-drams, rom-coms, and animated works at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival are the focal point of the 10-day mega-event, for which thousands of A-list celebrities and industry folk descend upon the snowy mountaintops of Park City, ...

Where do you fly into for Sundance Film Festival?

Flying Domestically

Salt Lake City International Airport is the only airport located near the film festival in northern Utah. The airport offers a range of airlines and destinations, primarily serving other continental US routes.

How many people are at Sundance Film Festival?

The Sundance Film Festival (formerly Utah/US Film Festival, then US Film and Video Festival) is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with 423,234 combined in-person and online viewership in 2023.

How do I join a waitlist at Sundance?

Download the festival's app onto your smartphone to start a waitlist account; the app will have instructions on how to get in a virtual line before each screening. (The app is also handy for schedules and transit maps. And it's the conduit for voting for the festival's audience awards.)

How to join waitlist Sundance 2024?

On the Sundance Film Festival 2024 mobile app:

Tap the film name, select the screening time, and tap the Tickets button (the screening details view will load). If the screening is sold out, the Join Waitlist button will appear in the upper right corner. Tap the Join Waitlist button to join the Waitlist.

Is it worth it to waitlist?

It depends on the student's individual situation and priorities. For some students, the chance to attend their top-choice school is worth the wait and uncertainty. For others, it may be more important to have a definite plan in place and move forward with the college they have already chosen.

Does Robert Redford own the Sundance Film Festival?

Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, the Sundance Institute took over the festival in 1985 and changed its name to the United States Film Festival. It wasn't renamed the Sundance Film Festival until 1991.

Is there a dress code for Sundance Film Festival?

In the evening, parties tend to require slightly more dressing up, but there are very few events at Sundance which get anywhere near black tie (and most venues will have a coat-check where you can leave your heavy outer layers).

What do people do at Sundance Film Festival?

Our annual program includes dramatic and documentary features, short films, and episodic content. We also host daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions, and other events.