Catalyst Program

Catalyst Program is sponsored by Sundance Institute. An invitation-only program for feature-length fiction and nonfiction film projects, offering support and potential funding.

Catalyst is Sundance Institute’s film financing arm. Through our year-round program, we aim to build a culture of partnership between independent investors and filmmakers; to unlock funding for ambitious new independent films; and to engage our community in supporting the independent film ecosystem.

Catalyst’s year-round investor track serves new and experienced film funders through educational and cultural programming, highly curated financing opportunities, and ongoing engagement with the wider Sundance community to address challenges and solutions in the independent film industry.

We offer investors a guided entry into film financing, personalized support, and a unique community experience featuring industry talks, social events, and access to exceptional projects and filmmakers.

Catalyst’s filmmaker track offers tailored guidance to emerging and established producers and directors on how to develop financing plans, build successful investor relationships, and effectively present projects for independent financing.

We work with selected filmmakers through a rigorous, custom prep program in anticipation of Catalyst Forum and similar financing events, and we provide them with continued bespoke support throughout the lives of their projects.

At the center of it all is Catalyst Forum, an annual, multi-day retreat that introduces the Catalyst Investors—a group of about 45 film funders including grantors, individuals and companies—to a curated slate of 8–10 fiction and documentary features seeking production financing. Information on how filmmakers can apply for Catalyst Forum can be found below.

Since its founding in 2013, over $60 million has been raised to support more than 150 fiction and nonfiction features through Catalyst. Supported projects include Sorry To Bother You, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, Chasing Coral, The Witch, The Social Dilemma, Little Woods, The Infiltrators, Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, Sugarcane , and The President’s Cake.

Catalyst Forum Project Criteria Catalyst is an invitation-only opportunity for feature-length fiction and nonfiction film projects.

At the time of application, projects must meet our eligibility requirements, which include: Feature film project seeking independent production financing, Documentary or Fiction Film Team must have a Director and Producer attached Budgets up to $3M, though we may consider fiction films up to $5M on a case-by-case basis International Projects: international projects and/or international co-productions are eligible to apply See Full List of Eligibility Criteria Here Application Process and Timeline Catalyst Forum requires a two-step application process.

Step 1: Submit a Pre-Application, open to all filmmakers. This form is used to determine project eligibility and ensure applicants have a path to the final program. Step 2: Submit an Official Catalyst Forum Application, solicited by invitation only.

The program invites a select group of Pre-Applicants to move to the next stage and submit an Official Catalyst Forum Application. The Catalyst application is closed. We will reopen submissions in Summer 2027 for the 2028 Catalyst Forum.

To inquire about the program or share an eligible project with us, contact catalyst@sundance. org . How to Apply : To request the Pre-Application, please contact catalyst@sundance.

org . Please keep in mind the timeline below. Pre-Application Regular Deadline Pre-Application Late Deadline Official Application Opens Official Application Deadline *Invitations to submit an Official Application are issued on a rolling basis during the Pre-Application Period.

We strongly encourage film teams to submit their Pre-Applications by the Regular Deadline. What to prepare for a Catalyst Forum Application Support for the Catalyst Program Recently Supported Projects Prod. Max Walker-Silverman, Jesse Hope IF I GO WILL THEY MISS ME Dir: Walter Thompson-Hernández Prod.

Josh Peters, Saba Zerehi, Ben Stillman Prod. Gregory Kershaw, Michael Dweck 2023 Catalyst Development Slate MY UNDESIRABLE FRIENDS: PART I - LAST AIR IN MOSCOW Prod. Masha Gessen, Robin Hessman YO (LOVE IS A REBELLIOUS BIRD) Dir.

Anna Fitch, Banker White Prod. Sara Dosa, Banker White Dir. Nathan Stenberg, Mike Attie, Katarina Poljak Prod.

Daniel J. Chalfen, Nathan Stenberg, Mike Attie, Katarina Poljak Prod. Mary Elizabeth Monda, Malcolm Thorndike Nicholson Prod.

Danielle Varga, Sabrina Schmidt Gordon 2024 Catalyst Finishing Funds What are you looking for in projects? We are looking for projects with strong artistic visions that have solid teams behind them. Producing experience levels may vary, but an interest in independent financing and a plan to get the film through production and to distribution are key.

Alignment of vision and a strong partnership between director and producer is a must. We’re evaluating the teams as much as we are the films since independent financing decisions are as much about the filmmaking teams as the work itself, and the focus of Catalyst is the partnership between funder and filmmaker.

The Catalyst program invests in the careers of the filmmakers—introducing teams into the world of independent film financing—as much as it invests in the films themselves. Catalyst has a unique opportunity to lift up artists and stories that come from outside of the mainstream that might not easily get funding from typical Hollywood sources.

So while each team’s credentials will be key in assessing their applications, we also consider what kinds of films and filmmakers need an independent venue like Catalyst to materially advance.

We frequently invite first-time directors, but it’s important to us that the producers on Catalyst projects are capable of working with independent funding models, especially since the financing scenarios that result from the Forum may be composed of multiple minority funders seeking to participate in the same project.

To this end, it’s also key that the film team wants to work with individual financiers and that an independent financing model serves the project. So the ‘why Catalyst’ components of each application need to be clear.

Ultimately, we want our slate to range in subject, style, budget level and perspective—both so that the films represent a sample of the year in independent film and also so that the projects we invite aren’t competing with each other at the Forum. We’re not looking for any specific genre or topic—we want a diversity of projects that each have unique sensibilities and points of view.

We also want to preserve both a sense of discovery and exceptionalism at Catalyst, mixing emerging talent with the most compelling new projects from established independent filmmakers. How many projects are invited to Catalyst Forum? Catalyst Forum will feature a slate of 8-10 total projects.

Who attends Catalyst Forum? The director and lead producer from each project must present together at Catalyst Forum. Unfortunately, due to both space and budget limitations, we cannot guarantee accommodations for additional key creative team members.

Who are the Catalyst investors? Catalyst investors are individuals, foundations, and small companies who fund films philanthropically and through equity investments. Investors range from experienced entertainment professionals to individuals and entities who are new to film financing.

All Catalyst investors are vetted by Sundance Institute. Our investors vary in funding capacity and often participate in projects as minority funders. What is the range of investments and outcomes from participating in Catalyst?

Nonfiction and fiction projects have historically unlocked a wide range of funding from the Catalyst community. Individual funder contributions range from smaller grants ($10,000-$25,000 USD) to larger grants ($50,000-$100,000) and equity investments (ranging from $25,000-$1,000,000 USD). Participating in Catalyst does not guarantee funding.

Can I have funding in place to apply? How early should the film be in its fundraising cycle? Projects with partial financing in place are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Selected films must be able to offer equity terms pari passu with any committed funding to date in order to align with the Catalyst program and investor community. Note that we don’t invite projects with budget gaps under $300,000 USD to apply to Catalyst. Participating films frequently accept funding from multiple partners, which is an intentional structure and promise to the investors.

Projects that have had substantial exposure within or beyond the Catalyst investor community are less compelling prospects for us, even if they still have a large gap. Widely exposed films have difficulty unlocking funding from our group. Do you accept higher budget films?

We have a budget cap of $3,000,000 USD (gross) but invite higher budget films to apply on a case by case basis. We typically like to see partial financing in place for projects over $3,000,000 USD and also will want to very clearly understand why Catalyst is the best path forward for these projects.

Projects with much higher budgets aren’t positioned to succeed in the program—it’s important for our investors to understand the impact and value of their contributions on projects, and how their contributions factor into the team’s strategy to complete financing beyond our group. Why do you require the full team in place to apply and more experience for producers?

We require the full team in place in order to apply because producers and directors are both integral to the financing process. We are looking for teams with solid creative and strategic partnership who have a clear understanding of their collaboration. The aim of the producer feature requirement is to make sure that someone on the project has strong financing and production experience so that the film is set up for success at Catalyst.

During our prep period prior to Forum, we expect producers to engage in detailed conversations around budgeting, physical production plans, deal structuring, and financing expectations. As you can imagine, complex financing scenarios arise at the Forum given the variety of funders we engage: Catalyst investors range in experience, capacities, and preferred types of investment.

The producers’ expertise, sense of business and strategic sensibility is crucial to the negotiating process and to set the project up for success at Catalyst. Independent film financing in a program like Catalyst is as much about the people behind the film or the funding as the work itself, so the team and its dynamics are a crucial part of succeeding in this program. If selected, when do I have to be available to participate?

If your project is selected, you will participate in the Catalyst Forum Prep Program from late January through March 2027. This will require time-intensive work, including weekly one-hour phone calls and several additional hours of work per week on Catalyst Forum deliverables (i.e., project deck, financial plan, presentation script, other written materials).

The preparations process will commence shortly after the Sundance Film Festival in January. Then, selected fellows attend the entire 3-day Catalyst Forum, which takes place in late March or early April. What can I expect in each phase of Catalyst: preparation, Forum, and follow up?

The Catalyst preparations process is rigorous and highly collaborative. We assign each team an advisor who joins all weekly calls, and we offer extensive notes on project presentations, decks, budgets, business plans, and other written and visual materials. We additionally invite a pro bono lawyer to review each film’s financial materials and also offer guidance and resources on building successful investor relationships.

The Forum itself is a busy three days of film presentations, individually scheduled meetings, and informal social moments where funders and filmmakers connect to build partnerships and materially advance the projects. We remain engaged with filmmakers who participate in Catalyst well beyond the Forum dates.

We work closely with our active fellows as they turn Catalyst investor interest into commitment on the heels of the program but also support our alumni throughout their progress to production, editing, and distribution. What is the right time for a fiction film to apply?

We are primarily seeking fiction projects on the cusp of production and prioritize films with shooting scripts and tangible elements in place like a production start date, cast attachments, or partial financing. We will consider inviting earlier phase fiction films but largely focus on films beyond the development stage at Forum. What is the right time for a nonfiction film to apply?

We are open to documentaries in all phases, and the timing of projects that we invite will likely span development, production and post. Docs that are very early on in development should have a more experienced team in place that is able to cite a strong body of past work. What are you looking for in the visual samples for nonfiction projects?

We require a visual sample from your current project as part of the Catalyst nonfiction application. We want to see footage that will give us a sense of what the film might feel like. It’s important to us that the sample conveys a sense of the film’s style and artistic vision as well as the level of access you have to your subjects and that the story/subject can sustain a compelling feature-length film.

For the above reasons, we prefer scenes over teasers and trailers. We also ask that the total sample runtime not exceed approximately 5 minutes, though this is not a hard cap. If I participate in Catalyst, does that increase my chances of my film being accepted to the Sundance Film Festival?

No. Participating in Catalyst does not increase your chances of screening at the Sundance Film Festival. Projects supported by Sundance Institute do not receive preferential treatment in the Festival selection process. If I participate in Catalyst, will my participation be announced and can I share the news?

We do not announce Catalyst projects and also ask selected films to keep their participation confidential until after Catalyst Forum. We keep the Catalyst slate private so that we can build momentum and unlock the most from our investor community, ensuring that Catalyst funders get a first look at the Forum projects. Upon completion of the Forum, filmmakers are welcome to share their participation publicly.

Why do you discourage multiple submissions from the same team? Multiple submissions from the same team end up in competition with each other, as we would not program two films by the same producing team onto the final slate. Filmmakers should prioritize their most front-burner project that also has a clear case for why Catalyst could uniquely take the film to the next level.

Are films with distribution eligible to apply? Films with distribution are eligible to apply, but we prioritize films without distribution (including American broadcast) in our review.

This is primarily due to the greater funding needs of projects without distribution partners in place and additionally because films with a clear path for potential recoupment against investment with rights available typically gain more traction with Catalyst investors. Do you accept international applications? Yes.

International projects and teams are invited to apply, but we prefer projects that have at least one US-based member on the above-the-line team. In evaluating international submissions, it’s essential for us to understand how Catalyst investors fit in the project’s financial plan as our community is largely composed of American independent financiers.

We will also require international teams to provide thorough production plans that can explain the specifics of the local production models, as well as how they plan to collaborate with local partners. Do you accept short films or episodic projects? No, only feature-length projects are eligible, with an intended running time of 60 minutes or more.

Do Catalyst investors expect credits on films they fund? Many Catalyst investors value official affiliations with the films that they fund in the form of credits, so building out appropriate crediting tiers is part of the Catalyst preparation process for selected films. Sundance Institute values the role of Producer and does not support financiers receiving Producer or Co-Producer credits, since these are earned working positions.

Do I have autonomy to structure my own deals, or is there a Sundance model? Financing agreements are negotiated directly between filmmakers and investors, and no funding passes through the Institute. While Sundance Institute does not set deal terms or provide legal advice, the Catalyst team and external advisors will offer examples, discuss best practices and investment trends to guide the filmmaking teams as needed.

Additionally, in partnership with program advisors and a pro bono lawyer, we offer participating projects feedback on their financing plans and budgets through the Catalyst Forum preparation process. Similarly, we provide Catalyst investors with a year-round curriculum that includes best practices in independent film financing, discussions around ethical approaches to deal-making and different financing structures.

After the Catalyst Forum, we support both Catalyst filmmakers and investors as they move from interest into contractual commitment, but the relationships and all negotiations are directly between filmmakers and investors from this point onwards. How does Catalyst assess equity caps and backend in documentary? Equity caps and backend structure are at the discretion of each filmmaking team.

We work with selected films to increase the likelihood that their financial models both meet their own goals and will resonate with independent financiers. Catalyst suggests the following approach for equity caps: Your film’s budget should account for all funding needs through delivery to a distributor—including equitable pay to both the director and producer.

Your equity cap should be set at the portion of the budget that represents what the film team feels comfortable taking on as an investment , as informed by your distribution goals and the current market. It should also take into account what remaining portion of the budget must be raised in grants and if there are granting sources—both within and beyond Catalyst—to achieve this goal and close financing for the film.

Catalyst suggests the following approaches for backend split: While Catalyst prioritizes documentaries earlier on in their production and financing timelines, we occasionally accept a film with a smaller gap to close financing. When films have majority of funding in place as grants and are accepting investment at a late stage, we encourage filmmakers to structure the backend investor pool tied to full budget, rather than equity cap.

When a film is going through Catalyst and seeking both investment and grants at an earlier stage, we encourage the traditional 50/50 backend split, which is respectful of the risk that independent investors bear in joining a film early on in its life and takes into account the high probability of film teams bringing on grantors through Catalyst. What reporting is required for Catalyst?

We require that Catalyst filmmakers report all funding sources, including any contributions to the project that come through the Catalyst investor community. We also ask that you share other key updates on your film such as entering production, festival and launch plans, and sales. In addition, we will reach out for a formal written update on your project.

This will be privately shared with the investor community as part of a comprehensive report on recent Catalyst projects. We may also ask you to reconfirm project details, including Catalyst investor contributions, and will request additional materials to supplement this update, such as links to press clippings. Does Sundance Institute pay for my travel to Catalyst Forum?

Yes. Sundance Institute provides roundtrip air travel and ground transportation to Catalyst Forum and back, as well as lodging, and meals at Catalyst for selected fellows. What are the legal steps a team needs to take to participate in Catalyst?

Selected projects must be ready to enter financing agreements by the time of Catalyst Forum. This includes securing a lawyer shortly after acceptance into the program, having structures in place to accept funding (such as LLC or fiscal sponsorship), and setting basic deal terms within the team. Can you introduce filmmakers who haven’t participated in Catalyst to Catalyst investors?

We’re unfortunately not able to facilitate introductions to Catalyst investors for filmmakers who haven’t participated in the program. The projects that we put forward to our community have been fully vetted by our team and also engage in a highly rigorous preparations process with us before connecting with Catalyst investors. How will I be notified about acceptance?

Will I be notified if I’m not accepted? All applicants will be notified of their status by email. Catalyst program staff may reach out to ask additional questions during the application period.

Can I receive feedback on my submission? Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unfortunately not able to provide individualized feedback. Catalyst Forum Project Criteria Catalyst is open to feature-length films only, with an intended running time of 60 minutes or more.

Fiction only: Priority will be given to projects with a script in advanced development. Films that have tangible components in place, like a production plan, partial funding, or cast and crew attachments, tend to unlock more funding. Nonfiction only: Projects can be in any phase of production—including development, pre-production, production, and post-production—but must have sample footage to share at the time of submission.

Projects must have a director attached. Director must be able to provide at least one directing sample. This may include, but is not limited to, a feature or short film, commercial, or music video.

Projects must have a lead Producer attached who has at least one feature Producer credit, and previous experience financing feature films independently. The director and lead producer from each project must present together at Catalyst Forum. Budgets should not exceed $3,000,000 USD gross.

Fiction films with gross budgets between $3,000,000 USD and $5,000,000 USD may be considered on a case-by-case basis. They must have significant financing in place, a strong track record, and clearly demonstrate why independent financing and Catalyst are the best path for the project. Projects must have a minimum budget gap of $300,000 USD at the time of the application and if selected to present at Catalyst Forum.

Films looking to fundraise less than $300,000 USD through Catalyst are not eligible to apply. Projects must submit an itemized budget if invited to submit an official application. Financing Plan Requirements Projects must submit a clearly outlined financing plan if invited to submit an official application.

Projects with partial financing in place are welcome and encouraged to apply, as well as projects who are at the beginning of their financing. Projects must be open to bringing on multiple investors as part of their financing plan. A strong preference will be given to projects who are seeking grants and equity investments.

Catalyst investors must sit pari passu with other production investors on the film. Filmmakers will be asked to share detailed financing terms of existing agreements with the Catalyst team before acceptance to the program to ensure the project structure allows Catalyst investors the same or equal terms.

Projects must have structures in place to accept funding by the time of Catalyst Forum, such as a fiscal sponsor, production company, and/or LLC. International Projects: International co-productions are welcome to apply, but must be able to demonstrate a path for US equity recoupment and provide detailed international fundraising strategy and financing terms.

Teams must be able to provide filmmaker agreements and chain of title documents as applicable to the project (i.e., releases, rights option, writers agreement) prior to acceptance into the Catalyst program. Invited projects must have legal representation by the time of Catalyst Forum.

Multiple Submissions, Resubmissions & Recent Alumni Multiple submissions from the same team are discouraged as they put the projects in competition with each other. We allow a maximum of 2 submissions at the Pre-Application stage with the same Director attached. We allow a maximum of 2 submissions at the Pre-Application stage with the same Producer attached.

Resubmissions are permitted on a case-by-case basis and if there have been significant advancements or changes made. Projects directed or produced by a Catalyst alum who has participated in a Catalyst financing opportunity within the last 4 years (2023; 2024; 2025; 2026) are ineligible to apply.

Additional Considerations Catalyst team will assess the project’s feasibility and financial viability, as well as likelihood of success within the Catalyst community. Projects with at least one member of the above-the-line team who is a Sundance Institute alumni will be given strong preference.

Sundance alumni status includes having taken a project through a Sundance Institute lab, granting fund, or fellowship program, having exhibited prior work at the Sundance Film Festival.

What to prepare for a Catalyst Forum Application We ask for the following project details and materials at the official application stage: Bios, contact information Title, logline, synopsis (500 words), project status, timeline, director’s statement (500-750 words), producer’s statement (500 words) Nonfiction only: Summary of film topic (500-750 words) Fiction only: Full script PDF upload Nonfiction only: Footage from submitted project (~5 minutes, 1-2 scenes, not a trailer/sizzle) Project Budget & Financing Plan Total budget, gap, detailed breakdown of financing already raised, full line-item budget, draft recoupment waterfall Short answer questions on budget level, financing strategy, and funder engagement (250 words each) Project Distribution Goals Short answer questions on distribution and marketing/audience strategy (250 words each) Nonfiction only: Outreach, education & impact (up to 500 words) Brief legal overview of your project, including status of filmmaker agreements and chain of title documents (250 words) Catalyst applications are solicited by invitation only.

When applying, you will be asked to upload your script (for fiction projects) or supply footage (for nonfiction projects), key team bios, budget total, financing raised and sought, production timeline, and links to previous work, among other key materials.

March–May 2021—Application period July 2021—Projects selected July–September 2021—Filmmaker preparations September 2021—Catalyst Forum Details on team member(s) who are Sundance alumni Key team contact information & bios (~250 words each) Links to previous work (if applicable) Details on cast, key crew, lawyer, and sales agent attachments to date (and their most notable credits) Basic project information (title, logline, 500-750 word synopsis, project status, timeline) Budget details (total, full line-item budget, detailed breakdown of financing already raised) Short answer questions for both fiction and nonfiction submissions will ask for director’s and producer’s statements (~500-750 words each) as well as details on finance strategy, marketing and distribution strategy, and intended audience (~250 words each) Nonfiction only questions: summary of film topic (~500-750 words) Nonfiction only: Footage from submitted project (~5 minutes, 1-2 scenes, not a trailer/sizzle) Fiction only: Full script PDF upload Optional additional assets (e.g., deck) – no penalty if this is not included Finalists for the 2021 Catalyst Forum will be contacted for video interviews with the Catalyst team in July and may be required to submit additional materials, including details on basic film financing terms.

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation The Charles Engelhard Foundation Entertainment Industry Foundation Occidental Petroleum Corporation