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Sundance Documentary Fund Proposal Checklist: Proposal Must Contain The Following Elements

This document outlines the requirements for a Sundance Documentary Fund proposal, which must include: a logline and story/topic summaries, details on artistic approach, current project stage and timeline, distribution plans, intended audience, engagement strategies, biographies of key personnel, and financial information like budgets and fundraising plans. It also requests links to prior work and current samples from the director. The proposal aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the documentary project seeking support.

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304 views

Sundance Documentary Fund Proposal Checklist: Proposal Must Contain The Following Elements

This document outlines the requirements for a Sundance Documentary Fund proposal, which must include: a logline and story/topic summaries, details on artistic approach, current project stage and timeline, distribution plans, intended audience, engagement strategies, biographies of key personnel, and financial information like budgets and fundraising plans. It also requests links to prior work and current samples from the director. The proposal aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the documentary project seeking support.

Uploaded by

Anonymous uscsiEjm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SUNDANCE DOCUMENTARY FUND 

PROPOSAL CHECKLIST 
(The Documentary Core Application) 
 

PROPOSAL MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: 


Logline (2-3 Sentences)  
Provide a brief, catchy summary of your story. 
 
Story Summary / Synopsis (​Up to 1000 words​) 
What is your story and story structure? Give an overview of your story, introducing the main characters 
and potential plot points. Describe the anticipated story structure and narrative trajectory, or potential 
character arcs for your project. Discuss your access to the story and characters. 
 
Topic Summary (​Up to 1000 words​) 
Describe why this topic is important, timely or relevant. Things to consider and include: Why are you the 
best person to make a film about this? Explain the cultural or social relevance and context for the topic, 
and why this project is timely or urgent. Detail the topics, issues, themes, challenges, stakes, or 
questions that your project will cover. 
 
Artistic Approach (​Up to 500 words​)  
How are you going to tell this story? Describe your creative vision for the finished project- its visual look 
and feel. Explain your intended use of cinematic language or any particular artistic approach that 
informs the storytelling. ​If applicable, m
​ ention any creative elements and assets, interactive elements, 
new technologies or non-traditional mediums that you intend to utilize. Explain how these elements will 
enhance the experience and interaction between viewers and the world of the story. 
 
Project Stage (Approximately 1 paragraph) 
Explain the current status of the project. Outline the projected production timeline from the project’s 
current state to the anticipated completion date. Your timeline should cover both the creative and 
production processes and should detail major project activities, production schedules, and anticipated 
post production and release dates. If you have applied before, please share how your project has 
progressed since the last time you applied. 
 
Audience and Distribution Strategies (1 paragraph for each) 
 
Distribution and Marketing Strategy 
Characterize the intended distribution life for your film. Specify plans for festival, theatrical, and/or 
community screenings, as well as plans for securing national broadcast and/or distribution. 
 
Intended Audience 
Describe the anticipated audience for your project, including any underserved audiences. How do 
you plan to reach your target audience? How have you addressed the needs and interests of this 
audience in your film? What is your relationship and access to this community? 
 

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Audience Engagement and Social Impact (if applicable)  
Audience Engagement is a strategy designed to activate audiences and constituencies toward a 
specific goal. Not all films are suited for social engagement, but if yours is, what actions do you 
hope for viewers to take after seeing your film? Potential activities could include organizational 
partnerships, educational guides, targeted stakeholder/community screenings, social media 
strategies, multi-platform activity, or social change campaigns. Do you have partnerships with 
organizations in your issue area already, and if so, how are these relationships informing your 
project development? 

Key Creative Personnel (Approximately 1 paragraph/bio) 


Provide brief biographies (50-150 words) for the director(s), and if attached, the producer(s), 
cinematographer, and/or editor. Include notable credits and/or major recognition or award information. 
For each key creative, include information about relevant expertise and the individual’s role in the 
project. Do not send resumes, CVs or extensive filmographies. Bullet list any other advisors or 
consultants, if applicable. 

Financial Info (1 paragraph for each) 

Fundraising Strategy 
Describe the strategy for raising the additional funds necessary to complete the project. 

Funding to Date 
Include all sources and amounts raised to date. Clearly distinguish between potential sources of 
funding and secured amounts. List the status of other sources of funding currently under 
consideration, whether to be applied for or pending. 

Example​: 
Foundation A  $X  Secured 
Private Investment A $X  Secured 
Foundation B  $X  Applied 
Broadcast License A  $X  In Negotiation 
Crowdfunding  $X  In Process (Campaign end date MM/DD/YY) 
 
Grant Impact 
Amount requested? If you were to receive a grant, describe how the funds would be spent. In light 
of your total budget, how would these funds help you move forward with your project? 

Comprehensive Line Item Expense Budget 


Please provide a breakdown of your project's projected expenses, from development through 
release, in U.S. dollars, including a budget total. Provide budget notes​ ​for any areas that may be 
viewed as out of the ordinary or require further explanation. C​ ombine the budget and written 
proposal into one document. 
 
 
 
 
 

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Visual Sample 
Please provide links and passwords for both samples in your written proposal.​ ​Links and passwords 
should be valid for at least six months from the date of your submission . 
 
Director's Prior Work (1 paragraph)  
We encourage applicants to include a link to a previous work (any length or genre) by the director. 
Alternatively, previous work from a key creative on the team (i.e. Producer, Editor) will also be 
accepted. Emerging filmmakers with no previous directing experience may also apply without a 
previous directing sample. ​Note: A directing sample is not required for Audience Engagement 
applications.   
 
Describe the sample you have submitted, including its narrative, aesthetic, or communication 
intentions. Discuss the relevance of the work to the current project, if any. If the current project is a 
departure from the prior work, how will this film differ? 
 
Current Sample/Rough Cut (1 paragraph) 
Not required, but encouraged for development grant applications. AT LEAST 10 minutes is required 
for production and 20 minutes for post-production grant applications. 
 
Provide necessary background and/or context for the work-in-progress. What should reviewers be 
looking for in your sample? Explain what is present or absent in the sample, and how it will differ as 
a finished film. How is it representative of the intended story, style, subject, or other aspect of the 
project? If you submitted a rough cut, what changes or additional material are planned? 
 
Director's Prior Work: ​LINK AND PASSWORD 
Current Sample/Rough Cut: ​LINK AND PASSWORD 
 
Contact Information 
Please provide complete contact information including a valid email address, telephone number and 
mailing address (in the country’s format). ​Contact information should be valid until for at least six 
months from the date of your submission.  
 
 

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