Sponsored by the School of Communication, and as part of the Sundance Adobe Ignite Package, the Sundance Film Festival Experience features opportunities for students to screen up to ten films, attend an alumni mixer, networking events, and a multitude of industry panels. Students travel with faculty and staff during the first half of the Sundance Film Festival when prominent industry professionals in the field of independent and commercial filmmaking are in attendance. Students will have the opportunity to develop their networking skills and meet industry professionals.
This program is open to Seniors in all School of Communication undergraduate majors.
All participants must be available to travel from January 23rd – 27th, 2026. In the first week of the winter quarter, students must inform and work with their winter quarter professors within their attendance policies and make arrangements to make up for any missed work.
Students must attend a pre-trip meeting “How to Festival.”, date TBD.
What is covered by the SoC and what are the costs?
The School of Communication will cover:
- Roundtrip airfare
- Hotel (shared room)
- Ground transportation to/from airport in Illinois and Utah
- Sundance Film Festival Ignite x Adobe Ticket Package
- Stipend for meals and incidentals (Students are responsible for personal expenses including some meals and local transportation, those which are not included in the program’s official itinerary or the stipend allocation.)
Applications:
Applications close September 30, 2025 at 11:59pm.
Eligibility:
- Must be a current senior in good academic and conduct standing in any School of Communication undergraduate major.
- Satisfactorily answer the essay questions.
- Why do you want to participate in the Sundance Film Festival Experience? (hint: research past Sundance Film festivals to inform your answer. 250 words.)
- How would participating in this trip relate to your academic, creative, and/or career goals? (150-250 words.)
- Describe a film shown in one of the past Sundance Film Festivals that impacted you. Why was it important to you? What was the impact on filmmaking in general? (150-250 words.)
- Describe a particular course or co-curricular experience (internship, conference attendee, employee, student group member, etc.) that you participated in that supports your interest in this program. (150 words.)
- Is there anything else you would like the committee to know about your interest in this opportunity? (Up to 250 words.)