Joe Krings and Feature Film Program Founding Director Michelle Satter.

Nate von Zumwalt, Editorial Manager

In 2010, the Sally Menke Memorial Editing Fellowship was created at Sundance Institute by the late film editor’s husband, Dean Parisot, and their children. Menke was an award-winning film editor (Reservoir Dogs, Inglorious Basterds, Pulp Fiction) and served as a long-time Creative Advisor at the Institute’s Directors Labs. Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Feature Film Program, noted that this fellowship was “the perfect way for Sundance Institute to honor the memory of Sally Menke and provide a meaningful, in-depth learning experience for a next generation of visionary film editors.”

With the generous support of her large community of friends and colleagues, the Fellowship is now in its third year. We are excited to announce the 2013 Sally Menke Fellow, Joseph Krings, who attended the June Directors Lab as an editor supporting two of this year’s eight directors developing feature projects.

“Being an editor, your work is usually confined to a small dark room with only one or two filmmakers regularly working with you,” says Krings. “At the Sundance Institute Directors Lab I was suddenly surrounded by dozens of skilled and passionate filmmakers, not to mention amazingly accomplished Advisors, with whom I could discuss my craft and learn many valuable lessons.”

After spending a decade creating a successful commercial editing career, Krings decided to shift his focus towards cutting feature films. His recent work includes Supermensch, 28 Hotel Rooms (2012 SFF), BAM150, and Towheads.

Now, this Fellowship will help Krings continue his feature film work under the guidance of accomplished editors Jay Rabinowitz (Requiem for a Dream; The Tree of Life), Brian Kates (The Savages; Killing Them Softly), Tim Squyres (Life of Pi; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)  and Christopher Tellefsen (Moneyball; Capote), with a year-long mentorship focusing on the creative and strategic aspects of an editing career.

“This Fellowship is undoubtedly a watershed moment in my young career and I plan to make the most of it,” he says. “I only hope I am able to live up to the great honor of an editing fellowship in memory of the legendary Sally Menke.”