Sundance Institute Lands $4M Endowment Gift From Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria In Support Of Opportunities For Indigenous California Talent

deadline.com:

The Sundance Institute revealed on Wednesday that it has received the largest endowment gift in its history, a $4M endowment in support of the the Institute’s Indigenous Program from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which will provide new support for artists from California-based tribes, both federally and non-federally recognized.

Facilitated by FIGR Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris, who participated in Sundance Institute’s Screenwriters Lab in 1992, the gift will allow the Sundance Institute to expand the offerings already available to artists through the Indigenous Program, an integral component of the Institute’s work that officially began in 1994 and has been woven into the organization’s values since its inception in 1981, when Native American filmmakers were invited by founder Robert Redford to participate in the originating meetings of the Sundance Institute and its first filmmaking lab.

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria | Sundance Institute Endowment will, in the immediate future, lead to the creation of a new fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous artists, affiliated with a tribe within the state of California, who have projects in development or production.

Through it, they’ll receive a $25,000 grant, as well as yearlong creative mentorship from Indigenous Program staff, access to creative and professional development opportunities, and support to attend the Sundance Film Festival.