Thompson on Hollywood

Thirteen Projects Going to Sundance Directors and Screenwriter Labs

News

The Sundance Institute has selected 13 Projects for the 2013 directors and screenwriters labs May 27 through June 27. Under the leadership of Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Institute’s Feature Film Program, and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the Fellows selected for this year's program include emerging filmmakers and projects from the United States, Europe, Mexico, Peru and Somalia.

By Anne Thompson
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May 9, 2013 4:25 PM
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Sundance Institute Will Present Vanguard and Memoriam Leadership Awards to Coogler, Ebert

News

Kerry Washington will present the second Sundance Institute Vanguard Award to San Francisco filmmaker Ryan Coogler ("Fruitvale Station") at the third annual ‘Celebrate Sundance Institute' Los Angeles Benefit on June 5, 2013 at The Lot in West Hollywood.

By Anne Thompson
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May 9, 2013 12:40 PM
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A New Age of Original Content Needs Script Services: A Guide

Features

Hollywood is allergic to taking risks on the unknown. But not every young adult franchise or fairy tale retelling can be as uber-successful around the world as "Twilight" ($392 million), "The Hunger Games" ($691 million) or "Oz: The Great and Powerful" ($426 million to date). This year's "Beautiful Creatures" grossed $57-million worldwide, and $200-million "Jack the Giant Slayer" mustered a miserable global $158 million.

By Sophia Savage
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April 9, 2013 2:27 PM
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Watch 'Upstream Color,' 'Sleepwalk with Me' and More Via Sundance Institute's Digital Debut Platform

News

The Sundance Institute has announced that 12 independent films will make their digital debuts this spring through a variety of platforms to rent, download or stream, via the Institute's Artist Services Program. Included in the list of titles are Shane Carruth's gorgeous head-scratcher and fest favorite "Upstream Color" (which he is self-releasing to theaters April 5), Mike Birbiglia-starrer "Sleepwalk with Me" (a theatrical hit via IFC) and "Unfinished Spaces," a PBS documentary on the groundbreaking design of the National Arts Schools, which was released as an educational film on DVD.

By Beth Hanna
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April 3, 2013 2:01 PM
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Ro*co Films Founder Annie Roney Talks to Sundance About Changes in Documentary Distribution

Interviews

Annie Roney of ro*co films is interviewed by Sundance contributing blogger Chris Dorr on Adapting to Changes in Distribution: "The most significant change is the cultural and mainstream embrace of the documentary genre ..."

By Chris Dorr
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March 30, 2013 6:40 AM
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Sundance Institute and Black List Collaborating to Support New Screenwriters

News

The Sundance Institute and The Black List announce they will collaborate to source and support new screenwriters. This partnership will allow screenwriters to upload scripts to the Black List's site between now and April 15 and opt into consideration to receive a Black List referral...

By Sophia Savage
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March 5, 2013 1:27 PM
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Sundance Institute Brings Next Weekend to Los Angeles, New Summer Film Festival Running August 8-11

Festivals

The Sundance Institute will be a hosting an all-new summer film festival, Next Weekend, running August 8-11 in Los Angeles. The fest is an extension of the Sundance Film Festival's NEXT section, which is designed to showcase "stylistically adventurous" films by up-and-coming directors.

By Beth Hanna
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March 4, 2013 1:00 PM
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Watch: Sundance Video on Unsung Heros of Indie Filmmaking - The Producers

Video

Watch Sundance's video on The Creative Producer: The Unsung Hero of Indie Filmmaking, featuring the likes of Lynette Howell ("Half Nelson," "Blue Valentine") talking about the joys and struggles of the profession...

By Sophia Savage
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February 14, 2013 2:53 PM
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Sundance: 'It Felt Like Love' Review and Roundup

Festivals

One of the much-vaunted Sundance slate of movies directed by women, "It Felt Like Love" marks yet another micro-budget hand-held look at an adolescent's coming of age. This one is well-shot in HD by director Eliza Hittman, a Cal Arts grad making her feature debut after screening her short "Untitled" at Sundance, with help from D.P. Sean Porter and rookie teen actress Gina Piersanti, who has a future.

By Anne Thompson
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January 31, 2013 3:47 PM
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Sundance 2012 Winner 'Valley of Saints' Goes to 108 Media / Paladin for Worldwide Rights

News

108 Media/Paladin has picked up worldwide rights to "Valley of Saints," winner of Sundance 2012's Audience Award and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize. The film, directed by Musa Syeed, played over fifty major festivals around the world and is now nominated for an Indie Spirit Award for Best Cinematography.