Multi-year affiliation unites the world's premier independent film organization with California's leading public film school, beginning fall 2026
LOS ANGELES, [July 14, 2026] - UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) and the Sundance Institute today announced a historic multi-year agreement that will create a comprehensive pathway for the next generation of independent filmmakers, storytellers, and cultural innovators. With an initial phase targeted for launch in September 2026, the collaboration combines Sundance Institute's unparalleled industry experience and Sundance Collab's global community of more than 130,000 artists across 177 countries with TFT's world-class academic excellence, production infrastructure and the living legacy of the L.A. Rebellion - the most significant movement in American independent cinema.
The Sundance Collab x UCLA TFT Digital Hub is set for launch this fall, giving TFT students access to curated content on Sundance's digital community platform. Three additional programs are under development and slated to roll out in through 2028: the UCLA Bridge Intensive (including a Sundance Film Festival Experience for TFT students in Boulder, Colorado), an annual Summer Summit hosted on UCLA's campus (Sundance Institute at UCLA), and a co-developed program focused on new technologies, creativity, justice and equity.
This is what it looks like when the premier institution for independent film comes to the premier public film school and says, Let's build something together.' Sundance has always been the place where independent voices are found and championed. TFT has always been the place where those voices are forged - in craft, in method, in authorship. Together, we are committed to independence, innovation, and impact: giving our students a direct pathway from the classroom into the full ecosystem of independent cinema - and the tools to make work that reaches audiences and changes the world.
- Celine Parre as Shimizu, Dean, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
At UCLA, we strive to connect knowledge with humanity in ways that expand opportunity, deepen understanding and serve the public good. The arts are indispensable to that mission, offering powerful ways to explore the human experience, foster empathy and bring people together across perspectives. Through this collaboration with the Sundance Institute, the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television will create new opportunities for students, artists and audiences to learn from one another, advance the art of storytelling and extend UCLA's impact across California and around the world.
- Julio Frenk, Chancellor, University of California, Los Angeles
We're excited to launch this groundbreaking collaboration with UCLA TFT that advances Sundance Institute's core mission of championing independent voices, driving innovation, and expanding educational access for transformative storytellers. This collaboration connects Sundance Collab - our global online platform for visionary creators - with UCLA's distinguished legacy of artist development. Together, we're creating an unprecedented pipeline to amplify independent voices and evolve the future of storytelling and connected audience engagement.
- Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director, Sundance Institute Artist Programs and Sundance Collab
The University of California exists to serve the people of California and the world. This partnership takes two of the most powerful forces in independent storytelling and puts them in the same room, on the same campus, working toward the same mission. The Regents are proud to support this bridge between education and industry. What Sundance Institute and TFT are building together is nothing short of an incredible opportunity for UCLA, and I believe it will become a national model for what film education and industry can and should be.
- Greg Sarris, UC Board of Regents and Sundance Board
Over the next year, UCLA TFT and Sundance will further define and refine a series of proposed collaboration components including, but not limited to, the following:
Digital Hub - Targeted Launch Fall 2026 (September 2026)
A co-branded UCLA TFT microsite within the Sundance Collab platform with the goal of providing all TFT students, faculty, and staff on-demand access to expert classes, curated content, industry insights, and guided pathways that address the hidden curriculum of film education. Targeted to expand UCLA-wide in 2027.
UCLA Bridge Intensive + Sundance Film Festival Experience in Boulder, Colorado - Targeted Launch 2027
A hybrid program supporting TFT students' transition from education to professional practice, beginning in senior year and continuing through graduation. May include online seminars; alumni mentorship; professional development in pitching, distribution and representation; and direct access to Sundance Collab programming - including a curated cohort experience at the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado.
Summer Summit of Sundance Institute at UCLA- Targeted Launch Summer 2027
An annual in-person convening hosted on UCLA's campus for emerging filmmakers and creative leaders, focused on career navigation, creative technology and building global audiences. Planned first as a one-day gathering designed to evolve into a signature two-day event, the Summit is intended to become a flagship annual convening connecting UCLA, Sundance Institute, alumni and industry.
Co-Developed Program - Targeted Launch 2028
A joint online program intends to explore literacy in new technologies for film and theater makers rooted in the L.A. Rebellion legacy that is distinctively TFT's. It would reach Sundance Collab's global community while meeting TFT's standards of academic rigor, inclusive excellence, and
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
Multi-year affiliation unites the world's premier independent film organization with California's leading public film school, beginning fall 2026 
