Artist Accelerator
The Sundance Institute’s Artist Accelerator Program offers grants and mentorship to independent storytellers, supporting impactful film and episodic projects with a focus on equity, access, and diverse narratives.
Funder: Sundance Institute
Due Dates: Rolling
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 per project (non-recoupable grant; completion or impact campaign); some fellowships offer $10,000 grants.
Summary: Provides financial, creative, and tactical support to emerging and mid-career storytellers, with a focus on impactful independent work and field-wide collaboration.
Key Information: U.S.-based directors, writers, and producers working on projects amplifying U.S. Muslim narratives are prioritized for certain funds.
Description
The Artist Accelerator Program at the Sundance Institute supports independent storytellers navigating the challenges of today’s creative and economic landscape. Established in 2021, the program offers a blend of yearlong fellowships and project advancement/completion grants, providing recipients with financial support, individualized mentorship, and a sense of community. The program is designed to foster equity, access, and sustainability in the independent storytelling ecosystem and collaborates with a wide range of partners to expand its reach.
Specialized funds within the program, such as the Building Bridges Completion Fund and The Walt Disney Studios Project Advancement and Completion Fund, target specific communities or project needs. These grants are intended to be catalytic, helping projects reach critical milestones, such as post-production or impact campaigns, and are available to both artists with prior Sundance Institute engagement and newcomers.
