Sundance Announces Global Short-Film Challenge

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) – The Sundance Institute is announcing a new element to the Sundance Film Festival: A global call for short films about overcoming poverty and hunger.

The executive director of the institute made the announcement Tuesday in Park City, Utah. Keri Putnam is inviting documentary and narrative filmmakers from around the world to submit short films that tell empowering stories about individuals or communities conquering hunger and poverty.

She says the aim of the contest is to inspire ideas, discussions and solutions. Five winners will be shown at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, and the filmmakers will receive $10,000 each.

The Short Film Challenge will formally launch Tuesday afternoon with a private screening of five films made with production grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is supporting the contest.