Sundance Institute Episodic Storytelling Lab
Lab (2026)Prestige 80/100
Sundance's independent TV lab: develop an original pilot with mentorship and industry access.
Deadlines & fees
- Application deadlinePassed25 Aug 2026America/Los_Angeles$50
Closed for this cycle
Applications for the 2027 Episodic Lab and Intensive closed on 25 August 2026 (window 13 July to 25 August, 50 US dollar fee). Decisions go out by email around mid February 2027; the in-person Lab runs 15 to 20 April 2027 and the virtual Intensive 27 to 28 July 2027. One exception: an original series eligible for the Sloan Science Grant can still be submitted with a waiver code until 14 December 2026. Sundance says the next season opens in summer 2027.
Dates and fees checked against the official site 6 Sept 2026.
Key facts
- Formats
- TV Pilot
- Genres
- Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Comedy, Crime, Documentary, Drama, Family, Fantasy, History, Horror, Music, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Sport, Thriller, War, Western
- Eligibility
- Open worldwideEmerging writers18+
- Required materials
- Round 1: first 5 pages of the pilot, bio, series logline and overview, personal and thematic statements, Round 2 (if selected): full pilot script
18 or over. The project must be the applicant's original creation (or adapted from optioned material), written in English, and new: not previously submitted to Sundance, produced, sold or distributed. Applicants cannot have sold a produced episodic project to a studio or network.
Results
2026 Episodic Intensive cohort; 2026 Episodic Lab cohort
View results with a free accountPrizes
Lab participation, mentorship, training and industry access. No cash prize, but a strong reputation and network.
Judging
Two rounds: Round 1 asks for the first 5 pages plus bio, logline, overview and statements (with a processing fee); selected applicants are invited to Round 2 to submit the full pilot.
The PreList verdict
This is a development lab, not a contest, and that distinction is the whole point. The outcome is not a cheque but a place in Sundance's episodic programme: an in-person lab in April 2027 where eight writers develop their pilots inside a story room with showrunner mentors, plus a virtual intensive for another ten to twelve finalists. As a credential and a network, it is about as strong as it gets for an emerging TV writer.
The honest part: eight places. The maths makes it a lottery ticket, and you should apply the way you would buy one, with a finished pilot you already believe in and a US$50 processing fee you will not miss. The eligibility rules also skew genuinely emerging: sell a produced episodic project to US television, or work above co-producer level on a US series, and you are out.
Applications for the 2027 lab are open now, 13 July to 25 August 2026, via FilmFreeway. Enter if your original pilot is your best work and you want the strongest development credential in television. Skip it if the pilot is still finding its shape; there is no feedback for the unsuccessful, and this is not a notes service.
Dylian Salvatore, Founder of The PreList. Updated 19 Oct 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Sundance Episodic Lab cost to apply?
A single non-refundable processing fee of US$50. There are no tiered deadlines.
When do applications close?
The 2027 cycle is open from 13 July to 25 August 2026, submitted via FilmFreeway.
Who is eligible?
Writers aged 18 or over with a completed original pilot in English. You are ineligible if you have sold a produced scripted episodic project for US television or worked above co-producer level on a US series.
Is your script right for Sundance Institute Episodic Storytelling Lab?
Find out free, before you spend anything. Upload your screenplay and The PreList checks whether its format can enter this lab, whether you meet the country rules and any regional limits, and scores the script. Pro adds a written read on how well it fits.
Similar competitions
All labs
Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab
Lab (2027)
Closed for this cycle
Applications for the January 2027 lab closed on 12 May 2026 (US$40 fee). The next Development Track window is expected to open in April 2027.
Sundance's flagship January lab: five days developing your first or second feature with world-class advisors.
FeatureActionAdventure+18
Checked 39 days ago
Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest
Contest (2027)
30 Dec 2026
24th annual screenwriting competition. $20,000 to the winner, $1,000 to each finalist, ongoing mentorship and industry circulation.
FeatureActionAdventure+18
Checked 4 days ago
Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
Contest (2027)
30 Dec 2026
19th annual TV writing competition. $20,000 to the winner, $1,000 to each finalist, ongoing mentorship and industry circulation.
TV PilotActionAdventure+18
Checked 4 days ago
The Next Brilliant Career
Programme (2026)
Closed for this cycle
Applications closed on 18 August 2026 (Netflix gave 11.59pm; most state agency portals cut off at the end of 17 August). Selected writers are notified on 28 September, the Sydney pitch day is 6 October, resubmissions are due 6 November and final feedback arrives by 1 December 2026. Netflix has announced no second round.
Netflix ANZ, the Australian Writers' Guild and all eight screen agencies fly eight writers to Sydney to pitch. Free, and you keep every right.
FeatureTV Pilot
Checked 30 days ago
The Owl Screenwriting Workshop
Lab (2027)
Closed for this cycle
Submissions for the 2027 workshop closed on 2 October 2026. The workshop runs 12 to 15 January 2027 in Athens, with an online follow-up in June 2027. The Black List and the Athens Film Office have run it annually, so expect the next call around the middle of 2027.
Four residential days in Athens with board covered. You pay your flights, and you need a real credit to apply.
FeatureTV Pilot
Checked 18 days ago
Script Pipeline Pitch Contest
Contest (2026)
15 Dec 2026
Pitches only, no screenplay accepted. Two and a half thousand dollars and development on a script you have not written.
FeatureTV Pilot
Checked 4 days ago
For organisers
Run Sundance Institute Episodic Storytelling Lab? You are welcome to use this badge on your own site. It links back to this listing, where writers see dates and fees checked against your official site.
<a href="https://www.theprelist.io/competitions/sundance-institute-episodic-storytelling-lab"><img src="https://www.theprelist.io/badges/listed-on-theprelist.svg" alt="Sundance Institute Episodic Storytelling Lab is listed on The PreList" width="190" height="36" /></a>On a dark background, swap the image for /badges/listed-on-theprelist-light.svg. Using the badge makes no difference to your listing, ranking or verdict. Those stay editorial.