A feature film version of Bess Wohl’s Tony Award-winning best play Liberation is among the Sundance Institute’s latest crop of fellows for its 2026 directors and screenwriters labs. But Wohl is not the only boldfaced name in the bunch as Emmy nominated actor Himesh Patel also has a project selected with Oscar nominated director Smriti Mundhra, among others.
The Directors Lab will host eight projects and take place at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado from June 9–24. It is led by artistic director Gyula Gazdag with an advisor cohort of Colman Domingo, Ava DuVernay, Nisha Ganatra, Noëlle Gentile, Lesli Linka Glatter, Affonso Gonçalves, Keith Gordon, Catherine Hardwicke, Ed Harris, Ellen Kuras, Ken Kwapis, Christopher McQuarrie, Terilyn A. Shropshire and Amy Vincent.
The Screenwriters Lab will support 10 projects and take place online from June 29-July 2. It is led by artistic director Howard Rodman with an advisor cohort of Haifaa Al Mansour, John August, Anna Boden, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Ryan Fleck, Rodrigo García, Attica Locke, Jenny Lumet, Darnell Martin, Robin Swicord, Bill Wheeler and Tyger Williams.
Both labs are steered by Sundance Institute veteran Michelle Satter, who serves as founding senior director of artist programs, and Ilyse McKimmie, deputy director of the feature film program.
