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The Directors Lab Turns 45! |
For more than four decades, our immersive, artist-driven labs have provided a foundation for emerging filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Gina Prince Bythewood, and Ryan Coogler to develop their unique perspective, enhance their skills, add depth to their stories, and be mentored by seasoned industry leaders.
To toast the milestone of the 45th Directors Lab, we caught up with former lab fellows to hear about the ways their creative journeys were shaped by their time at the Sundance Institute Labs and advisors who shared what makes the labs so unique. Dig into the powerful stories of filmmakers Marielle Heller, who shares her experiences of finding her creative voice at the lab; Roger Ross Williams, who recounts the moment he discovered how to craft the perfect scene; and Nia DaCosta, who discusses the affirming moment that brought her to tears.
And tap into the affecting insight of long-time lab advisor Kasi Lemons as she discusses the unrivaled level of focus paid to the filmmakers’ projects, John August, who chats about the magic of labs relying on exploration versus perfection, and
lab fellow turned Native Lab advisor Erica Tremblay, who talks about the invaluable community built among the Institute. Plus, look out for more exclusive conversations in the coming weeks!
Join us as we continue to champion independent artists through our labs, which are the heart and soul of the Sundance Institute. Make a gift and help ensure the next generation of filmmakers has access to this space.
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EVENTS
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Which Show Are You Attending? |
Our 2025 Sundance Film Festival Shorts Tour presented by Vimeo is making its way across the U.S. Catch screenings — from Alex Heller’s Debaters, starring J. Smith-Cameron and Kenneth Lonergan as high school debate judges, to Christophe Radcliff’s Short Film Jury Award:
Nonfiction–winner We Were The Scenery — in Atlanta, Williamstown, Mesilla, and Santa Barbara, starting July 4.
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WATCHLISTS
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July Releases |
Out this month in Sundance Film Festival and Institute–supported films, catch must-see doc Igualada: Refusing to Know Your Place, about Colombian activist Francia Márquez’s powerfully rebellious presidential campaign, available on PBS on July 7. Plus, don’t miss Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman in twisted romantic weekend getaway comedy Oh, Hi!, in theaters courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics on July 25, and Alison Brie and Dave Franco–starring supernatural horror Together, in theaters via NEON on July 30.
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INTERVIEWS
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Get the Backstory on Eva Victor’s Sorry, Baby |
Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Sorry, Baby, in theaters now, is writer-director Eva Victor’s first feature. In a candid chat, she says she was inspired to write the film about a woman named Agnes (portrayed by Victor) who is trying to navigate young adulthood following a traumatic incident “because there’s a part of my experience of trauma that I haven’t seen on-screen often.” For Victor, Sorry, Baby is personal.
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Fuel Your Filmmaking Passion With Sundance Collab This July |
Branded Content in the Digital Age: Today, July 2, at 1 p.m. PST, join Sub-Genre founder Brian Newman, who consults on content strategy, development, distribution, and marketing for brands like GoDaddy and IBM, for an Advisor Studio session.
Creative Leadership: Tools for Successful Collaboration: July 6. In this four-week live virtual course, you will develop essential skills for navigating the human dynamics of production, from advocating for your creative vision to conflict resolution strategies.
Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements: July 7. Take your documentary idea from concept to post-production and craft a proposal for potential funders with this eight-week self-paced course led by Patrick Shen. Before the course kicks off, get to know Shen through our new Take 5 series, where advisors shed light on their creative journey.
Transition from outline to first draft of your Screenplay or TV Pilot: July 7. With these self-paced courses, begin crafting a script
that grabs your reader’s attention.
Advisor Studio: Leading a Creative Partnership With Your Cinematographer: July 9. Unlock ways to build a truly collaborative relationship during this interactive hour session led by cinematographer, producer, director, and Cinematography Beyond Technique author Tal Lazar.
Directing: Core Elements: July 14. Get hands-on directing experience when you film a scripted scene and learn the fundamentals of directing actors during an eight-week self-paced course.
Film Producing: Core Elements: July 21. In this eight-week course, learn the fundamentals of creative producing for indie fiction films, from development to financing and budgeting.
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From July 2 to 9, get 20% off all summer courses with code ##########. Plus, unlock discounts on on-demand courses and master classes year-round when you Become a Sundance Institute member. And for the latest on our Sundance Collab courses and online events, subscribe to our newsletter.
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© 2025 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Institute, P.O. Box 684429, Park City, UT 84068, United States
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