Science Sandbox Enters Partnership With Sundance Institute

Led by Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program, the new initiative offers grants and other opportunities for emerging nonfiction filmmakers seeking to explore the intrinsic link between science and culture

Science Sandbox has entered into a creative partnership with Sundance Institute — a one-year pilot program intended to foster innovative nonfiction science storytelling. Administered by Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program, the Science Sandbox Nonfiction Project will offer grants, engagement events and other opportunities for independent artists seeking to convey sophisticated science through innovative storytelling.

The new partnership will harness the power of nonfiction storytelling as a vehicle for inspiring audiences to engage with science. During this pilot year, Sundance Institute and Science Sandbox will experiment together to learn how best to champion new documentary storytelling with the potential to unlock scientific thinking.

Science Sandbox Nonfiction Fellows will be selected from the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program’s rolling call for submissions. Grants will be awarded across four stages: development ($10,000‐$15,000), production ($25,000‐$40,000), postproduction ($20,000‐$25,000) and impact/engagement ($15,000‐$20,000).

Final selections will be made by a review committee made up of Sundance Institute leadership, Science Sandbox staff, Simons Foundation scientists and Science Sandbox advisers Werner Herzog and Miranda July.

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

For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit Sundance Institute’s website here.