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Sundance Film Festival: deadline and submission guide | Circkit

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Tier 1

Sundance Film Festival

Boulder, United States

Submission deadline: 21 September 2026
Entry fee: from USD 55
Premiere: World premiere required
Formats accepted: Shorts, Features, Documentaries, Animation, Experimental
Next edition: 2027

Official site Rules and regulations

Last verified 3 July 2026

About Sundance Film Festival

The Sundance Film Festival brings together bold storytellers and audiences eager to discover conversation-starting work during its annual program of feature-length fiction and nonfiction, short films, episodic storytelling, special events, timely filmmaker conversations, panel

Awards this festival can qualify you for

BAFTA Short · British Short Film
Accepted into the official programme is sufficient. No win required. British productions only. International confirmed BAFTA-qualifying.
BIFA Best Film · Best British Independent Film
In-person official selection at Sundance qualifies a British independent film for BIFA entry. No win required.
BIFA Documentary · Best British Documentary
In-person official selection at this BIFA Section A festival qualifies a British independent documentary (BIFA docs use the same routes as features: one Section A festival, or two Section B British festivals). No win required. Online-only screenings do not qualify. 2026 window: 1 Nov 2025 to 30 Nov 2026.
BIFA Short · Best British Short Film
In-person official selection is sufficient; no win or competition placement required. BIFA Short Section A: one Section A festival confers eligibility. British production, under 40 minutes.
CSA Animated · Canadian Screen Award — Best Animated Short
Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Doc Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Documentary Short Film
Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Feature Doc · Canadian Screen Award — Best Feature Length Documentary

Sundance Film Festival submission FAQ

When is the Sundance Film Festival submission deadline?

The main submission deadline for Sundance Film Festival is around 21 September 2026. Confirmed for the current edition.

How much does it cost to submit to Sundance Film Festival?

Submitting to Sundance Film Festival costs from USD 55 as a rough guide. Entry fees usually rise closer to the deadline and vary by category.

Does Sundance Film Festival require a premiere?

World premiere required. Protect your premiere status before you submit, as it is a one-time resource.

Where is Sundance Film Festival held?

Sundance Film Festival takes place in Boulder, United States.

Is Sundance Film Festival a scam, or is it legitimate?

Sundance Film Festival is a legitimate, established film festival: it is listed in Circkit's curated, human-vetted festival database, which deliberately excludes known scam festivals and certificate mills; it ranks among the upper tiers of the festival circuit. As with any festival, confirm the current deadline and fee on the official site before you pay. You can also run Sundance Film Festival through Circkit's free Scam Radar for an independent safety check.

Want an independent check? Run Sundance Film Festival through the free Scam Radar.

Read the guide

How to get into Sundance

Eligibility, premiere rules, and how programmers actually decide, for filmmakers targeting Sundance Film Festival.

Is Sundance Film Festival right for your film?

Circkit scores this festival against your film, protects your premiere, and tracks the deadline for you. Free to start.

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