Sundance Fund Awards $1M to 19 Documentaries for 2026
Sundance Institute selects 19 filmmaker-led projects from 14 countries for its 2026 documentary fund, granting over $1 million in unrestricted support.
Sundance Institute has named the 19 filmmaker-led projects selected for its 2026 documentary fund grants, awarding more than $1 million in unrestricted funding. The announcement was reported by hollywoodreporter.com.
The selected projects span various stages of production: four are in development, 12 are in production, and three are in post-production. The filmmakers come from 14 countries, including Canada, Denmark, France, India, Iran, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Romania, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and South Korea.
Funding for the grants comes from the Open Society Foundations, the John Templeton Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and Free People.
Over its 24-year history, the fund has backed notable documentaries such as All That Breathes, American Factory, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, Fire of Love, Minding the Gap, The Mole Agent, No Other Land, Strong Island, Sugarcane, Time, and Union. In October 2025, Sundance Institute announced that its documentary film program will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.
Quick answers
How many projects received Sundance documentary fund grants for 2026?
19 filmmaker-led projects were selected.
How much funding was awarded in total?
More than $1 million in unrestricted funding.
Which countries are represented among the selected projects?
The projects have roots in 14 countries, including Canada, Denmark, France, India, Iran, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Romania, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and South Korea.