The Sundance Institute’s signature Directors Lab is heading home to Sundance Mountain Resort, thanks to a $3 million gift from The Hearthland Foundation, founded by Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg.

It’s one of the largest contributions in the Institute’s history. The multiyear commitment will support the Feature Film Program, fund the lab’s return to Utah, and expand fellowships and unrestricted grants for independent artists.

“Artists help us see what is, imagine what could be, and understand one another more fully,” said Rachel Levin, President of Philanthropy at The Hearthland Foundation. “Kate and Steven are proud to help carry that extraordinary legacy forward.”

The investment comes at a pivotal moment as Sundance carries forward founder Robert Redford’s vision of championing independent voices across fiction, nonfiction, episodic, and emerging media. The Directors Lab has historically provided a creative sanctuary for filmmakers, offering mentorship and resources from development through audience engagement.

“When you give artists time, trust, and a community that believes in their voice, transformation happens,” said Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Artist Programs at Sundance Institute.

For indie filmmakers, this means more support at every stage of the creative process, and a continued commitment to the bold risk-taking that defines independent cinema.