Sandbox Films
The Sandbox Fund offers grants, engagement events, and other opportunities for independent artists seeking to explore the intrinsic link between science and culture through innovative storytelling. The program is administered by the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund, in collaboration with Sandbox Films.
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U.S. and international nonfiction projects are eligible, with a focus on feature-length documentary projects.

Applications must be submitted through the Sandbox Fund application portal.

Timeline

The Fund offers grants two times a year, with two separate application windows. Grant-making decisions occur generally in the winter and summer, in collaboration with Sandbox Films.

Upcoming grant cycle:

Spring 2025 – Dates TBA

Applicants will be notified within 4-6 months of the deadline.

Grants

The fund offers support to projects at all stages of development, production, and post-production. Average grant sizes are as follows:

Development (up to $40,000)

Production (up to $100,000)

Post-Production (up to $100,000)

Creative Considerations

Selection criteria for the Sandbox Fund will emphasize creative narrative techniques and projects that highlight diversity in science, specifically those that feature characters, topics, or disciplines that broaden and redefine what it means to be a scientist or to do science.