The Sundance Institute, with support from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, offers the 2025 Graton Artist Opportunity to empower Indigenous artists from California-based tribes. This opportunity provides selected artists access to curated courses through the Sundance Collab platform—a virtual community offering educational workshops, advisor sessions, resources, and networking events. The initiative is designed to help California Native filmmakers tell their stories and deepen their professional development at any stage of their careers.
Applicants must be Indigenous artists with a connection to a federally or non-federally recognized California Indian tribe. Proof of tribal affiliation or lineal descendancy is required, either through documentation such as a Tribal ID card or through coordination with a Graton Tribal Representative. The program does not require applicants to have an existing project in development. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. ET via an online application portal.
Selected Graton Collab Artists will receive yearlong access to Collab programming and individualized support to curate a tailored development experience. This includes personalized advisor sessions designed to advance their projects or professional goals. Review of applications will occur on a rolling basis, and notification dates are to be determined. Applicants who are not selected may request individual feedback sessions.
This opportunity arises from a $4 million endowment provided by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to support Indigenous Californian filmmakers, acknowledging the tribal diversity within the state and addressing the underrepresentation of California Native voices in film.
