Sundance Institute and TED Announce New Collaboration

Sundance Institute and Ted today announced the first collaboration between the two organizations, which will jointly award $125,000 for a short documentary film project about the work of Sugata Mitra, winner of the annual Ted Prize. The Institute's Documentary Film Program and Fund will accept proposals March 1 through April 15, 2013 at www.sundance.org/ted and will design and oversee the selection process in collaboration with TED.

Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, "Through The Sundance Institute | Ted Prize Filmmaker Award, documentary film will bring to life the extraordinary vision of Sugata Mitra's large-scale collaborative project, providing a record of his work and an inspiring way for audiences to engage with the ideas behind it."

"The Ted Prize is awarded to remarkable individuals who have a great vision and a world changing wish, and will use the prize to build on their bodies of work," said Lara Stein, Director of the Ted Prize. "The Sundance Institute | Ted Prize Filmmaker Award not only provides a vehicle for telling the Ted Prize winner's story, but will engage a wider global audience to participate in the recipient's wish."

The winning project must: highlight the work of the Ted Prize winner over the course of their first 12-18 months after receiving the award; be suitable for creating appreciation and deeper understanding of the Ted Prize winner's work; be independently produced, with creative control held by the producing/directing team; display directorial vision/aesthetic; and have the potential for theatrical release.