The Circuit

by Michael Jones
The Sundance Institute has announced a new fellowship program for American independent producers.  The Creative Producing Initiative is intended to be a year-long program for emerging producers.  Along with a $10,000 combined stipend and preproduction grant, the program includes participation in a new 5-day producing lab and the Institute’s Producers Conference. The announcement was made Sunday during the Sundance Film Festival’s Producers Lunch.

“Maria Full of Grace” producer Paul Mezey said in a keynote address, "This new Sundance initiative will have immediate and lasting impact in the field. Sundance is in a unique position to provide this in-depth guidance.”

“To work effectively with filmmakers, producers need an opportunity to develop their own skills and voices. The Creative Producing Initiative is designed to develop a producer's creative instincts in the scripting and editing stages and to evolve their communication and problem-solving skills at all stages of realizing a project,“ said Michelle Satter, Director of the Institute’s Feature Film Program.

Five fellows will be selected for pilot program in the spring.  Deadline to apply is March 1.


Paul S. Mezey and Michelle Satter. Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage.com