Picturehouse Central, 20 April 2016 — Sundance Institute and Picturehouse announced today the programme of feature films, short films and panel discussions for the Sundance Film Festival: London, taking place 2-5 June at new host venue, Picturehouse Central, in the heart of the West End. Festival passes will be available at sundance.org/london on Thursday 5 May and individual tickets will be on sale from 9:00 a.m. GMT Monday 9 May, with priority booking for Picturehouse members opening on Friday 6 May. Customers can register for Festival and VIP Passes from today; full details at sundance.org/london.
The festival will present 11 UK and International feature film premieres direct from this year’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A., selected by the Sundance Institute programming team in collaboration with Picturehouse. Continuing the focus of the three previous London editions on presenting new work by emerging and established independent filmmakers, the 2016 festival will also include a short film programme with 15 shorts, including a strand dedicated to UK shorts screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The films collectively received 10 awards when they premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
In addition to celebrating the best new independent films, the feature film line-up includes “Sundance Film Festival: Road to Stardom,” a programme showcasing notable films discovered by the Sundance Film Festival over the course of its three-decade history and whose stars and filmmakers have since achieved global recognition. Rounding off the programme are four special events, all offering an exclusive insight into the filmmaking process: Oscar-winning producer and Industry veteran James Schamus, whose feature directorial debut Indignation screens in the main film programme, will discuss the changing face of independent film; the Sundance Film Festival partners with the BFI to discuss “Diversity as an Ethos” with panellists including Sundance alumnus Effie Brown (Producer of Dear White People); and two further events, the Short Film Masterclass and “Cutting Through the Festival Bullshit” panel will offer frank advice to budding filmmakers.
A full list of filmmakers and special guests expected to attend will be announced closer to the festival.
Robert Redford, President & Founder of Sundance Institute, said, “I have long believed that the quality and originality of the independent films we show would be of interest to global audiences. Our Sundance Film Festival: London allows us to further help these new independent films get out into the world, starting with engaged audiences in the UK.”
John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “Independent film takes a great step forward each year, and it is our pleasure and privilege to share these new independent films we love with London audiences. This year’s film programme builds on the excitement of our most recent Festival in Utah and showcases new talent to watch as well as more established artists who continue to take exciting risks in their work.”
Clare Binns, Director of Programming and Acquisitions at Picturehouse, adds, “Since the opening of Picturehouse Central last Summer, we’ve been changing the landscape of London’s cinema scene and we’re delighted to be rounding off our first year with Sundance Film Festival: London. We are very excited to be bringing the best of this year’s Sundance Film Festival to London and UK audiences plus some very special events and appearances. I look forward to seeing all pass-holders on our super cool and view-tastic Members’ Bar balcony between screenings!”
More information will be available at sundance.org/london. Join the conversation on social media with #sundancelondon.
Sundance Film Festival: London 2016 is supported by: Lead Partner – Sundance Channel Global; Media Partners – London Evening Standard and Time Out; Event Partners – Empire, Kickstarter, Nowness, Screen International and Utah’s Governors Office of Economic Development; and Hotel Partner – The Langham, London; Official Providers – Picturehouse Cinemas LTD; Supporting Partners – London Short Film Festival, The British Film Institute and Sony Experia.
American independent narrative and documentary films that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A.
Author: The JT LeRoy Story (Director / screenwriter: Jeff Feuerzeig) — The definitive look inside the mysterious case of 16-year-old literary sensation JT LeRoy – a creature so perfect for his time that if he didn’t exist, someone would have had to invent him. Perhaps someone did? The strangest story about story ever told. (Documentary) International premiere
The Greasy Strangler (Director: Jim Hosking) — When Big Ronnie and his son Brayden meet lone female tourist Janet on Big Ronnie’s Disco Walking Tour—the best and only disco walking tour in the city—a fight for Janet’s heart erupts between father and son, and the infamous Greasy Strangler is unleashed.
Principal Cast: Michael St. Michaels, Sky Elobar, Elizabeth De Razzo, Gil Gex, Jesse Keen, Joe David Walters International premiere
Goat (Director: Andrew Neel) — Reeling from a terrifying assault, a 19-yearold boy pledges his brother’s fraternity in an attempt to prove his manhood. What happens there, in the name of “brotherhood,” tests both the boys and their relationship in brutal ways.
Principal Cast: Nick Jonas, Ben Schnetzer, Virginia Gardner, Danny Flaherty, Austin Lyon UK premiere
Indignation (Director / screenwriter: James Schamus) — It’s 1951, and among the new arrivals at Winesburg College in Ohio are the son of a kosher butcher from New Jersey and the beautiful, brilliant daughter of a prominent alum. For a brief moment, their lives converge in this emotionally soaring film based on the novel by Philip Roth.
Principal Cast: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Tracy Letts, Linda Emond, Danny Burstein, Ben Rosenfield UK premiere
The Intervention (Director / screenwriter: Clea DuVall) — A weekend getaway for four couples takes a sharp turn when one of the couples discovers the entire trip was orchestrated to host an intervention on their marriage.
Principal Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat, Clea DuVall, Natasha Lyonne, Ben Schwartz International premiere
Winner of the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Individual Performance (Melanie Lynskey)
Life, Animated (Director / screenwriter: Roger Ross Williams) — Owen Suskind, an autistic boy who could not speak for years, slowly emerged from his isolation by immersing himself in Disney animated movies. Using these films as a roadmap, he reconnects with his loving family and the wider world in this emotional coming-of-age story. (Documentary) UK premiere
Winner of the Directing Award: U.S. Documentary
Morris from America (Director / screenwriter: Chad Hartigan) — Thirteen-year-old Morris, a hip-hop loving American, moves to Heidelberg, Germany, with his father. In this completely foreign land, he falls in love with a local girl, befriends his German tutor-turned- confidant, and attempts to navigate the unique trials and tribulations of adolescence.
Principal Cast: Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller, Jakub Gierszał, Levin Henning UK premiere
Won: Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic; U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Individual Performance (Craig Robinson)
Other People (Director / screenwriter: Chris Kelly) — A struggling comedy writer, fresh from breaking up with his boyfriend, moves to Sacramento to help his sick mother. Living with his conservative father and younger sisters, David feels like a stranger in his childhood home. As his mother worsens, he tries to convince everyone (including himself) he’s “doing okay.”
Principal Cast: Jesse Plemons, Molly Shannon, Bradley Whitford, Maude Apatow, Zach Woods, June Squibb International premiere
Tallulah (Director / screenwriter: Sian Heder) — A rootless young woman takes a toddler from a wealthy, negligent mother and passes the baby off as her own in an effort to protect her. This decision connects and transforms the lives of three very different women.
Principal Cast: Ellen Page, Allison Janney, Tammy Blanchard, Evan Jonigkeit, Uzo Aduba International premiere TBC
Weiner (Directors / screenwriters: Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg) — With unrestricted access to Anthony Weiner’s New York City mayoral campaign, this film reveals the human story behind the scenes of a high-profile political scandal as it unfolds, and it offers an unfiltered look at how much today’s politics are driven by an appetite for spectacle. (Documentary) European premiere
Winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary
Wiener-Dog (Director / screenwriter: Todd Solondz) — This film tells several stories featuring people who find their life inspired or changed by one particular dachshund, who seems to be spreading comfort and joy.
Principal Cast: Greta Gerwig, Kieran Culkin, Danny DeVito, Ellen Burstyn, Julie Delpy, Zosia Mamet International premiere
Presented in association with Time Out.
Two wide-ranging collections of short films that screened in January at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.
2016 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour
A 95-minute theatrical program of eight short films selected from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, showcasing a wide variety of story and style.
Affections / U.S.A. (Director / screenwriter: Bridey Elliott) — This comedy about isolation and loneliness follows a young woman who is adrift and seeking intimacy in the most unlikely places.
Bacon & God’s Wrath (Director / screenwriter: Sol Friedman) — A 90-year-old Jewish woman reflects on her life experiences as she prepares to try bacon for the first time.
Winner of the Short Film Jury Award: Non-fiction, Presented by YouTube
Edmond (Director / screenwriter: Nina Gantz) — Edmond’s impulse to love and be close to others is strong—maybe too strong. As he stands by a lake contemplating his options, he reflects on his defining moments in search of the origin of his desires.
Winner of the Short Film Jury Award: Animation, Presented by YouTube
Her Friend Adam (Director / screenwriter: Ben Petrie) — A boyfriend’s jealous impulse spirals out of control in 16 minutes of romantic doom.
Winner of the Short Film Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance (Grace Glowicki)
Jungle (Director / screenwriter: Asantewaa Prempeh) — The lines between trust, betrayal, and forgiveness are intertwined for two Senegalese vendors as they try to make a living on the streets of New York City.
The Grandfather Drum (Director / screenwriter Michelle Derosier) — As the balance of the world turns upside down for the Anishinabek people, the elder Naamowin builds a healing drum to save his grandson and his people.
The Procedure (Director / screenwriter Calvin Lee Reeder) — A man is captured and forced to endure a strange experiment.
Winner of the Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction, Presented by YouTube
Thunder Road (Director / screenwriter Jim Cummings) — Officer Arnaud loved his mom.
Winner of the Short Film Grand Jury Prize, Presented by YouTube
2016 Sundance Film Festival UK Shorts
A showcase of 7 UK shorts that screened at Sundance Film Festival 2016
Manoman (Director: Simon Cartwright) — When Glen attends primal scream class, he releases something from deep within that knows no limits.
Mining Poems or Odes (Director: Callum Rice) — Robert, an ex-shipyard welder from Govan, Glasgow, reflects on how his life experiences have influenced his newfound compulsion to write.
Pombo Loves You (Director: Steve Warne) — A distant father is forced to confront a heroic but troubled past life as ’80s TV character Pombo.
Over (Director: Jörn Threlfall) — What has happened in this quiet suburban neighbourhood? Has there been a murder, a hit-and-run, an accident? The reality is both profound and deeply unexpected.
Rate Me (Director: Fyzal Boulifa) — A portrait of a teenage escort named Coco.
Saturday (Director: Mike Forshaw) — April 15, 1989: A soccer match changes Liam’s life and the city of Liverpool forever… This fictional account relates how the Hillsborough Stadium disaster — which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters – unfolded for a family in Merseyside, England.
Territory (Director: Eleanor Mortimer) — This warm and lyrical film follows a group of unruly monkeys in Gibraltar and the people employed to control them with peashooters.
A programme dedicated to showcasing notable films discovered by the Sundance Film Festival that feature stars and filmmakers who have since achieved global recognition. Presented in association with Empire Magazine.
Blood Simple (Director: Joel Coen, Screenwriters: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen) — The Coen Brothers exploded onto the indie film scene with this darkly funny thriller also featuring the first onscreen performance from Frances McDormand.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1985 Sundance Film Festival.
The Usual Suspects (Director: Bryan Singer, Screenwriter: Christopher McQuarrie) — The height of tricksy 90s thrillers, Bryan Singer’s supremely stylish debut features Kevin Spacey in his break out, Oscar winnning role. Seething with tension and twists, the film remains a masterclass in non-linear editing and narrative manipulation in its tale of a heist gone violently wrong.
Winter’s Bone (Director: Debra Granik, Screenwriters: Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini) — Debra Granik’s intense first feature stars Jennifer Lawrence in the Oscar-nominated role that catapulted her to stardom as a Missouri teen determined to track down her missing drug addict father.
Winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
Discussions with renowned guest speakers providing incredible insights into the filmmaking process.
Cutting Through The Festival Bullshit: Sundance Film Festival Meets London
A short film discussion with Mike Plante (Sundance Film Festival), Philip Ilson (London Short Film Festival & BFI London Film Festival) and Katie Metcalfe (Nowness)
Festivals receive thousands of short film submissions. Get the real dirt on what they look for, what kinds of shorts find mass success and where and how. Sundance and London programmers compare short films from each country and discuss how filmmakers need to push boundaries and take risks.
Presented in association with Nowness.
“Diversity as an Ethos”
Panel discussion in association with the BFI
What happens when diversity is built into the ethos and decision making behind film production and festival programming? With Sundance Institute and BFI alike playing a key role in the development of indie films, what progress has been and will be made to diversify the independent filmmaking scene in the UK and across the pond? And what are the challenges faced by filmmakers from underrepresented groups in today’s busy indie filmmaking scene? This lively discussion will gather Sundance Programmers, key players at the BFI, Sundance Film Festival London directors Sian Heder ( Tallulah) and Roger Ross Williams ( Life, Animated) and producer Effie Brown (last year’s Dear White People) who will explore the progress made and still to be made in diversifying the indie filmmaking scene on camera and behind the scenes.
James Schamus on “the changing face of Independent Film”
As the head of Focus Features, James Schamus was behind the production and distribution of some of the most critically acclaimed independent films of the last 15 years including: Brokeback Mountain; Lost in Translation; Atonement; The Pianist; The Constant Gardener; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; and, 2010 Sundance Film Festival hit The Kids Are All Right . As his witty feature directorial debut INDIGNATION premieres, the legendary film producer will discuss his multi-faceted career and his success within the independent film industry. Hosted by Wendy Mitchell, former editor of Screen International and now film programme manager at British Council.
Presented in association with Screen International.
Short Film Master Class
Recognizing the important role shorts have in cinema, storytelling, and culture, Sundance Institute presents the Short Film Master Class to help empower the next generation of artists. Filmmakers are invited to participate in this seminar of Sundance-organized panel discussions to offer first-hand insight and access into the world of story development, production, working with cast and crew, and how to get the most out of making a short film.
Focusing on narrative short-form storytelling, this event will feature onstage discussions with filmmakers and a Sundance Short Film Programmer, and will conclude with a reception to network with fellow local shorts filmmakers.
The Short Film Master Class is geared toward directors, but anyone interested in the short film world should attend. Whether you are starting your first project or have been in the business for years, the advice and real world stories will entertain and educate.
ENDS.
All Sundance London Press enquiries:
Claire Gascoyne: Claire@clairegascoyne.com / +44 (0)7771 735 117
Elizabeth Taylor: Elizabeth.taylor@premiercomms.com / +44 (0)20 7292 8396
Marine Monnier: Marine.monnier@premiercomms.com / +44 (0)20 7292 6431
**Press accreditation is now open – please contact Marine Monnier if you would like to request accreditation**
Images for Press:
Images for press are available via the Picturehouse FTP: assets.picturehouseentertainment.co.uk
(username: sundancelondonftp@premiercomms.com; password: Sundanc3) and at www.sundance.org/images.
All photos are copyrighted and may be used by press only for the purpose of one-time reproduction and only when including proper image credits and/or ‘Courtesy of Sundance Institute.’ Unauthorized use, alteration or reproduction of logos and photos is strictly prohibited.
Notes to Editors
Ticket information
Tickets on-sale dates:
Thursday 5 May: Festival Passes and VIP Passes on sale
Friday 6 May: Priority ticket booking (Picturehouse Members and Festival and VIP Passes)
Monday 9 May: General ticket booking opens and individual tickets on sale
Individual Ticket Prices:
Feature films / Shorts programmes / Sundance Film Festival: Road to Stardom films: All individual ticket £15 (£12 Members)
Special Events: All individual ticket £15 (£12 Members)*
*With the exception of Short Film Master Class: £45 (£40)
Festival Pass and VIP Pass:
Festival Pass: £150
*10 x festival ticket credits plus Members’ rates for any additional festival titles
*Priority booking from Thursday 5 May
*Picturehouse Central Membership (worth £75, valid until 1 June 2017)
*Access to the Picturehouse Central Members’ Bar and Roof Terrace
*10% off food and drink.
VIP Pass: £450
*Access to all film screenings. No need to book
*No queuing – walk straight in
*Access to all parties and social events
*Access to all events, panel discussions and short film programmes
*Picturehouse Central Membership (worth £75, valid until 1 June 2017)
*Access to the Picturehouse Central Members’ Bar and Roof Terrace
*10% off food and drink
*Goodie bag
Customers can register for both passes from TODAY, Wednesday 20 April, by
emailing sundancefilmfestlondon@picturehouses.co.uk and including ‘Festival Pass’ or ‘VIP Pass’ in subject line as well as a contact telephone number.
How To Book
Online: www.sundance.org/london
Telephone – 0871 902 5755 (lines are open 9.00am-8.30pm, seven days a week)
In person – from Picturehouse Central Box Office during the booking period
On-the-day – A limited number of tickets will be released on the day of each screening and can only be purchased in person at the main Box Office at Picturehouse Central.
Sundance Institute
Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. The Institute’s signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, The Invisible War, The Square, Dirty Wars, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Picturehouse Cinemas
Formed in 1989 to challenge the multiplex model, Picturehouse Cinemas own and operate 3 cinemas and programme a further 42 venues across the UK.
Picturehouse Central opened in June 2015 after extensive redevelopment of the former Cineworld in the Trocadero centre. With a brand new entrance on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue and Great Windmill Street, Picturehouse’s new West End flagship has seven screens with more than 1,000 seats, a ground-floor café, a first-floor restaurant and a double-height Members’ bar on the second and third floors that includes a roof terrace with stunning views over London.
With Dolby Atmos sound, 35mm, 70mm and 4k projection, Picturehouse Central is the best place to watch a huge variety of films, ranging from quality blockbusters to independent, classic, foreign-language and art-house films.
For future partnership opportunities regarding Sundance Film Festival: London, please contact elevenfiftyfive at: Richard.Williams@elevenfiftyfive.com
