20 Fiscal Year Annual 17Report Welcome Artists see the world—its complexities and inherent beauty—differently. Artists can reflect the most urgent social and political issues of our time, they can provide an exhilarating escape from them, or they can imagine a future to challenge the status quo. There’s no doubt that 2017 was a year in which the growing tensions of division in America—and the world—affected each of us. But among the charged protests and uncivil discourse, our artists persevered to tell vibrant, honest, unforgettable stories. Independent voices are imperative as we look to stories to understand our world, and Sundance Institute is committed to protecting a space for artists to create, to providing a platform for fresh perspectives and diverse voices, and to bringing together a community to experience groundbreaking work. It remains critical that our enduring values to sustain the work of independent artists moves forward so that we can question, understand, and engage with the ever-changing world we find ourselves in. As we look back on another year we are filled with admiration for the extraordinary talent of those we support, and gratitude for the generosity of those who have supported us. In sharing with you our Sundance Institute Annual Report we provide insight into the nature and impact of our work, and shine a light on the standout artists and moments that made these past 12 months a reminder of our mission’s importance. And, as we do, we look forward to a future where independent stories continue to shape a greater humanity. ROBERT REDFORD PAT MITCHELL KERI PUTNAM President & Founder Chair, Board of Trustees Executive Director SUNDANCE INSTITUTE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 4 There will always be new terrain to explore as long as there are artists willing to take risks, who tell their stories without compromise. And Sundance will be here - to provide support and a creative community in which a new idea or distinctive view is championed. ROBERT REDFORD, PRESIDENT & FOUNDER Mission Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its programs, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. Our Work Providing deep and sustaining support to independent artists Active throughout the year and around the world, our programs in multiple disciplines each offer a range of support for artists to create and share their stories. FEATURE FILM GRANTS SHORT FILM LABS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVALS FILM MUSIC SCREENING SERIES AND TOURS THEATRE WORKSHOPS EPISODIC DIVERSITY AND OUTREACH NEW MEDIA MENTORSHIP SUNDANCE INSTITUTE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 10 2017 FILM MUSIC LAB SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL Gives independent artists one of the world’s premiere platforms to reach Our a global audience. “Artists, armed with their films, show the human sides of issues, people, and places we don’t often see. These fearless stories, and the conversations they spark, start at the Festival then extend well beyond the mountain Programs into the year ahead.” —John Cooper, Festival Director Sundance Institute believes that bold, original stories can connect audiences with a deeper, common humanity. Through year-round support, diverse artists across multiple disciplines are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and realize their unique visions. THEATRE PROGRAM FEATURE FILM PROGRAM Champions theatre-makers from the U.S. to the Middle East and North Africa as they develop transformative, new storytelling for the stage. Enhances the full creative process of narrative storytellers—from the early stages of development all the way through to post-production, editing, and distribution. “Internationalism is woven into everything we do—from the artists we support to the actors and advisors who take part in our Labs—we are “As we support artists at an early stage in their careers, we foster a committed to storytelling without borders.” —Philip Himberg, Artistic Director family of storytellers who are working to exchange ideas, share unique worldviews, and create impactful films that profoundly resonate in today’s world.” —Michelle Satter, Founding Program Director FILM MUSIC PROGRAM Advances the important role of music in film by connecting composers and directors and providing them with rare opportunities to collaborate on projects DOCUMENTARY FILM PROGRAM in production. Elevates the art and craft of nonfiction storytellers by supporting the development “Music will always play a big role in how a film touches the audience. of urgent stories with the potential for social and creative impact. When directors involve composers in the creative process to transform their story a kind of alchemy takes place.” —Peter Golub, Artistic Director “Our commitment to sustaining the work of documentary filmmakers is unwavering—the importance of using art to communicate truth in our world has an immense critical value.” —Tabitha Jackson, Program Director SUNDANCE INSTITUTE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 14 NATIVE AMERICAN EPISODIC PROGRAM One of the few training grounds for independent voices to develop an original INDIGENOUS PROGRAM series and pilot script. Deeply committed to Native American and Indigenous voices, and the growth of the broader Native American media field. “With the recent and ongoing growth of the episodic format, we identify new and diverse voices, and offer these truly original creators “Cultural authenticity is an essential part of diverse storytelling and we unparalleled and sustained access to creative and industry support.” work to ensure that the unique voices of Native American and Indigenous —Jennifer Goyne Blake, Program Senior Manager artists are represented on the screen.” —Bird Runningwater, Program Director Other programs of the Institute include those which foster women filmmakers, creative producers and the ever-inspiring next generation of artists: Women at Sundance, Creative Producing Program and Sundance Ignite. NEW FRONTIER Challenges the status quo of traditional storytelling as it nurtures work that navigates the future of narrative worlds through cutting-edge technology and experiential art. “New Frontier artists have pushed the power of storytelling to intersect across mediums—including an emphasis on theatre, drama, and the body—as immersive technology shapes our world.” —Shari Frilot, Chief Curator New Frontier “Our New Frontier Story Lab is designed to support storytellers who are innovating the art and form of story through resonant projects that leverage the new capabilities of emerging media to make meaning.” —Kamal Sinclair, Director New Frontier Labs SUNDANCE INSTITUTE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 16 2017 THEATRE LAB $3.026 MILLION 17,315 DIRECT GRANTS TO ARTISTS OTHER FESTIVAL AUDIENCES REACHED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Sundance Institute provides a wide range of strategic financial support to A lineup of films and conversations takes a slice of the Sundance Film Festival to storytellers creating independent work across film, theatre and new media. Los Angeles and to international markets, London and Hong Kong. 25 234 88 SHORTS TOUR CITIES VISITED LABS DAYS OF RESIDENCY Taking to the road, the Shorts Tour introduces new audiences to the best in independent short films with a 95-minute theatrical program of six short films Highly selective Labs focused on the art and craft of storytelling provide a safe home selected from this year’s Festival, offering laugh-out-loud comedy to contemplative for artists to create independent work with mentorship from leaders in the field. reflections of the world we live in. Night Shift Lucia, Before And After 71,600 AUDIENCES EXPERIENCING GROUNDBREAKING STORIES AT THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL Pussy Come Swim The Sundance Film Festival kicks off a year of the best new independent film in January, bringing $151.5 million in Economic Impact to its home state of Utah. And The Whole Sky Fit Ten Meter Tower in the Dead Cow’s Eye SUNDANCE INSTITUTE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 20 Global Community LONDON PARK CITY LOS ANGELES HONG KONG PROGRAM COUNTRIES VISITED Canada Germany Qatar Chile Greece South Africa China Italy Thailand Cuba Kenya Tunisia Denmark Lebanon UAE Egypt Mexico United Kingdom France Netherlands United States ARTIST COUNTRIES REPRESENTED SUNDANCE FESTIVALS Australia Egypt Italy New Zealand Switzerland Belgium France Jamaica Norway Syria Brazil Georgia Japan Philippines Uganda Bulgaria Germany Jordan Poland United Arab Canada Greece Kenya Portugal Emirates Chile Hungary Lebanon Romania United Kingdom China India Liberia Singapore United States Cuba Iran Libya Spain Uruguay Cyprus Ireland Mexico Swaziland Zimbabwe Denmark Israel Nepal Sweden SUNDANCE INSTITUTE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 22 Defining the cultural landscape of 2017, Sundance Institute continued to advance the impact of independent storytelling throughout the world with its support of original projects – through Labs, fellowships and grants, or the platform of the Sundance Film Festival—that were released to audiences this year. In the past year, Sundance-supported films and theatre productions reached millions around the world. SUNDANCE INSTITUTE Artist Stories From film, theatre, and film music to new media and episodic content, Sundance Institute champions a diverse range of independent artists across fields, across platforms, across the U.S. and the world. The dynamic, global community of artists we supported in 2017 has challenged, inspired, and changed