Sundance Institute

“The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” is now in theaters after premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival! Join us this Friday (4/3) for a free Spotlight conversation with producers Diane Becker and Ted Tremper on the making of the film. 🕒 3:15–4:15 PM PT 🎟 Free to register: sndnc.org/4uXgqMk

Announcing the 2026 Sundance Institute Sundance Institute | Sandbox Fund Grantees! This year we selected 16 Science-Focused Nonfiction Projects across all stages of production for support. Grantees include: Sweet Mystery of Life, As Mine Exactly, Chorwet (The Rhino Friend) (working title), The Mammoths That Escaped the Kingdom of Erlik Khan, Lorehole, Finding Your Laughter, Metropolis, What You Remember, The Pulse of the Volcanoes, The Archipelago, A Tale of Sea Dogs and Other Creatures, The Elephant in the Room, Father Figures, The Men in Gray, River of Grass, The Tallest Dwarf. Read about the projects here: sndnc.org/4brXSMv

Robert Redford’s vision changed the landscape of cinema forever. On March 18 at 10AM PT, join us for a special Founder Series event celebrating his legacy and the future of the Sundance Institute's artist programs. Live Q&A to follow. Register for free: sndnc.org/3MvI9CB

Barbra Streisand paid special tribute to Sundance Institute founder Robert Redford during the Academy Awards. She honored his visionary work, saying: “He encouraged new voices at his Sundance Institute — some of whom are up for Oscars tonight, which is so great. He was thoughtful and bold.” Redford’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of storytellers and shape cinema around the world.

This past weekend at our Sundance Institute Honors Academy Award Nominees event, we came together to celebrate our Sundance Institute family and the 11 nominations across categories at the 98th Academy Awards. The sense of community and impact of independent storytelling were palpable as we honored these remarkable artists and films. Through our year-round programs, labs, grants, mentoring, and the Festival, we continue to support artists shaping the future of independent film. Photo credits: John Sciulli/Getty Images for Sundance Institute

It was a memorable night at the 2026 #Oscars for the Sundance Institute community. From the Oscar win for "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" to major victories by Institute alumni, including Paul Thomas Anderson’s "One Battle After Another" and Ryan Coogler’s "Sinners," Sundance Institute–supported artists made a strong showing on Hollywood’s biggest stage. The night also featured a moving tribute from Barbra Streisand honoring the legacy of Sundance Institute founder Robert Redford and celebrating his lifelong commitment to championing emerging voices in film. Read more: sndnc.org/4rv54Mx

One Oscar After Another 🏆 Another round of applause for our Sundance Institute Labs alumni on winning their first #Oscars tonight. Huge congratulations to Ryan Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson. 🏆 Ryan Coogler, a 2012 Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab alum, won his first Oscar tonight for Best Original Screenplay for “Sinners.” 🏆 Paul Thomas Anderson, a 1993 Sundance Institute Directors Lab alum, also won his first Oscars tonight for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay for “One Battle After Another.” Source: Getty Images

Congratulations to the team behind “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” on winning Best Documentary Feature Film at the 98th #Oscars. 🏆 The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it first connected with audiences. Celebrating David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin, Helle Faber, Alžběta Karásková, and the entire team behind the film.

Sundance Institute–supported films are on the move at SXSW, running March 12–18 in Austin, Texas. Laugh with “The Shitheads,” get spooked by “Leviticus,” and catch short films like “Gender Studies.” Twenty-four projects from the 2026 Festival and our artist programs are screening throughout the week. Read more: sndnc.org/4b4tQhG

This weekend Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Sundance Institute's Artist Programs, received the AAFCA’s Film Advocate Award for her unwavering commitment to independent film. Michelle has championed storytellers for over four decades, developing programs that build careers, communities, and movements through the Sundance institute Labs. Congratulations, Michelle!