“The Lab Program is the engine that drives the whole thing.” — Robert Redford
For over four decades, Sundance Institute’s signature Labs have offered a nurturing, immersive space where artists can take creative risks, refine their voice, and connect deeply with their collaborators. Robert Redford’s vision built more than a program. It built a home for storytellers.
The Directors Lab continues to honor that vision. It is a space where every role matters, where community is essential, and where art is created for the sake of art. Fellows leave not just with stronger projects, but with lasting creative bonds that shape how they move through the world as artists.
To the incredible crew, advisors, staff, and supporters who made the 2025 Directors Lab possible: thank you.
The 2025 Directors Lab Fellows: Alexandra Qin (@aaalexqin ) Andrea Ellsworth (@andreaellsworth ) Chheangkea (@chheangkea ) Chloe Sarbib (@chloooooeeeee ) Lana Wilson (@lanawilson ) Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (@deveryjacobs ) Leo Aguirre (@leoaguirre ) Diffan Sina Norman (@diffannorman ) Kasey Elise Walker (@kaseyelise )
As summer winds down, we’re reflecting on the kind of space the Sundance Institute Directors Lab offers, an environment that feels both creatively expansive and deeply human.
Fellows describe the Lab as transformative, a place where talented filmmakers gather not to compete but to grow. Surrounded by artists who are emotionally attuned and fully engaged in their own process, they find deep connection through community.
As we celebrate 45 years of the Sundance Institute Directors Lab, we’re honoring the legacy of this space and the filmmakers who continue to shape its future. To help keep the Labs thriving for the next generation of storytellers, we invite you to make a gift.
🔗 Link in bio to support.
The 2025 Directors Lab Fellows:
Alexandra Qin (@aaalexqin )
Andrea Ellsworth (@andreaellsworth )
Chheangkea (@chheangkea )
Chloe Sarbib (@chloooooeeeee )
Lana Wilson (@lanawilson )
Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (@deveryjacobs )
Leo Aguirre (@leoaguirre )
Diffan Sina Norman (@diffannorman )
Kasey Elise Walker (@kaseyelise )
#Filmmakers #IndieFilm #Directing
AFS is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the AFS Grant for Feature Films — 14 Texas filmmakers representing 13 films, selected by our esteemed panelists: Elizabeth Ai, Casey Baron, Kara Durrett, and Dash Shaw.
2025 Recipients (L to R)
Slide 1: Maisie Crow (REFLEJO), Abbie Perrault (REFLEJO), Rachel Immaraj (AN UNQUIET MIND), Twiggy Pucci Garçon (CROWNED), Julia Gorden (GONE WITHOUT A PAST), Alejandro Hendricks (AIRPORT BLVD), Tania Cattebeke Laconich (FALOPIA), Diffan Norman (SITORA), PJ Raval (LOVE VISA), Kenny Rigsby (LET YOUR HANDS GO)
Slide 2: Meghan Ross (THE DECISION), Drew Saplin (COHETES), Iliana Sosa (SUEÑOS QUE SE TE CUMPLEN / DREAMS THAT COME TRUE), Luis Arturo Tapia (MOTHER OF BUFFALO)
Tap the link in our bio to learn more about his year’s recipients.
At the heart of the Directors Lab are the advisors, experienced artists who remind us that filmmaking is less about perfection and more about presence, pivots, and possibility. When a scene wasn’t working, advisors like Joi McMillon and Jomo Fray offered wisdom, calm, and creative clarity. Their guidance creates a space where fellows can embrace failure, lean into spontaneity, and turn uncertainty into discovery.
As the Sundance Institute Directors Lab turns 45, we’re celebrating this milestone by highlighting the mentors who make this space so transformative. To ensure future fellows have access to this kind of support, we invite you to make a gift and join us as we champion independent voices by keeping the labs alive. 🎬
🔗 Link in bio to support.
#IndieFilmmaking #Directing
Thank you to @sundancesatter , @ilysemck , @gyula.gazdag , and everyone at the Sundance Directors Lab for an unforgettable experience earlier this summer.
I surprised myself by diving into theater games, wearing a green bandana around my neck on shoot days, forming a highly exclusive Ermanno Olmi fan club, and using diegetic music by The Eagles in a scene.
I got some things right, stumbled over many more, and learned an enormous amount from it all. In a world where the chance to creatively experiment and take risks without fearing the outcome is rare - if not impossible - this felt like an extraordinary gift.
Everything I learned about fiction directing from the advisors and the eight brilliant writer-directors in my cohort will stay with me forever. Thank you @sundanceorg for the opportunity ❤️
2025 Directors Lab fellow Diffan Sina Norman (@diffannorman ) is reshaping horror with his upcoming film "Sitora", a bold reimagining of "Sitora Harimau Jadian", one of Malaysia’s earliest entries into the monster genre. Inspired by the work of legendary auteur P. Ramlee, "Sitora" moves beyond violence to explore what it means to have a conversation with fear and with the "other." 🐅
As the Sundance Institute Directors Lab turns 45, we’re celebrating this milestone by highlighting filmmakers who are an integral part of its legacy. To ensure future fellows have access to this formative space, we invite you to make a gift and join us as we champion independent voices by keeping the labs alive.
🔗 Link in bio to support.
The 2025 Sundance Institute Directors Lab Fellows know a thing or two about persistence. They’ve faced rejection, kept rewriting, and stayed true to their unique creative visions. 🎬
As the Directors Lab turns 45, we’re celebrating the incredible voices that have shaped its legacy. Want to help keep this creative magic alive? Join us in supporting the next generation of fearless filmmakers.
Link in bio to make a donation. 🔗
Featuring:
Alexandra Qin (@aaalexqin )
Andrea Ellsworth (@andreaellsworth )
Chheangkea Ieng (@chheangkea )
Chloe Sarbib (@chloooooeeeee )
Lana Wilson (@lanawilson )
Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (@deveryjacobs )
Leo Aguirre
Diffan Sina Norman (@diffannorman )
Kasey Elise Walker (@kaseyelise )
Incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside and meet so many incredibly talented, intelligent, creative, and lovely people at the Sundance Labs. (Several pictured and many more not) Grateful for @sundanceorg making it so possible to learn and grow in a wide variety of ways at the labs, while simultaneously supporting the incredible projects of @chheangkea and @lanawilson . What a gift 🙏🫶 Shoutout to the fantastic green team and the phenomenal post team, working behind the scenes 👊. #sdl2015
