How to Volunteer at Sundance

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Sundance Film Festival. Over 1000 volunteers are needed every year throughout the Sundance Film Festival. Volunteering at Sundance is the most economical way to attend the Festival. You work long hours as a volunteer, but it is a very rewarding experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Contact the Sundance Institute directly for information on volunteering. The Institute is the administrative organization responsible for holding the Sundance Film Festival. The Institute has an online application form (see Resources). Many of the volunteers at the Festival are alumni, so there is heavy competition for the available positions; apply early.
2. Decide upon the volunteer area of interest. Volunteers are needed in all areas of the Festival: guest relations, merchandise, theater operations and venue support. The Sundance Institute personnel assist volunteers in making the selection, or they may have specific areas where volunteers are needed the most.
3. Arrange to travel to the Festival. Carpooling is the most cost-effective means for traveling to the Festival. The Sundance Institute can help put volunteers in contact with one another. Direct flights into Salt Lake City and buses are also available to the Festival.
4. Make lodging arrangements. Lodging for the Sundance Festival ranges from the opulent to the less expensive motels in the region around the Festival. Volunteers can share a room and save money on lodging. The Festival has training sessions for volunteers, so be certain to book a room far enough in advance to arrive in time for training.
5. Participate in the whole Sundance Festival experience. Volunteers have access to areas not available to other attendees, and volunteers often get to meet the celebrity attendees behind the scenes. The Sundance Festival remains one of the few places where average people and celebrities rub elbows.