Category: News

Sundance Institute Announces 2017 Recipient of Merata Mita Fellowship for Indigenous Artists

Park City, UT — Amie Batalibasi (Australian Solomon Islander, Feralimae/Kosi) from Melbourne, Australia, is the 2017 recipient of the Sundance Institute Merata Mita Fellowship—an annual fellowship named in honor of the late Māori filmmaker Merata Mita (1942-2010). The announcement was delivered today at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.For the second consecutive year, Sundance Institute has identified a Native or Indigenous filmmaker from a global pool of nominees to award a cash grant and provide a year-long continuum of support with activities including a trip to the Sundance Film Festival, access to strategic and creative services offered by Sundance Institute artist programs, and mentorship opportunities.

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Sundance Institute and The Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation Collaborate to Support Diverse Independent Filmmakers

Park City, UT — Sundance Institute and The Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation will collaborate to support diverse independent artists, they announced today at a reception at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. As part of a two-year commitment, the Foundation will support the Institute’s Screenwriters Intensive and year-round work with diverse independent filmmakers and artists.The Screenwriters Intensive, part of the Institute’s Feature Film Program, provides the opportunity for 10 emerging screenwriters from underrepresented communities to hone their craft in a two-day workshop focused deeply on the creative process.

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Six Theatre Artists Converge for Sundance Institute Retreat at Ucross Foundation

New York, NY — Six theatre artists will be the focus of the 18th annual Sundance Institute Retreat at Ucross Foundation in Wyoming, taking place January 23 – February 10. Designed to support theatrical writing in its earliest stages, the residency is dedicated to uninhibited creativity, peer mentorship and professional growth.
This year’s group of artists includes experienced composers, playwrights, a performer, and multihyphenate combinations; the residency comprises focused writing and creative time punctuated with organic, sporadic, collaborative time to reflect on process and the world at large.

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Here’s How to Follow the 2017 Festival From Home

We hope to see you in the flesh at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, but if it’s not in the cards, Sundance.org is presenting tons of live video and editorial coverage of film premieres, panels, and music, as well as around-the-clock updates on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media. If you can’t be in Park City for the festivities this year, we’ve got your back.

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Live, from Park City, Utah: It’s the 2017 Sundance Film Festival!

Park City, UT — The excitement of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival happens both on-screen and off, with a robust slate of panels and music performances, many of which are free and live streamed so independent film and music fans can tune in from anywhere.
John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “The conversations that start at the Festival and spread well beyond the mountain can now do so in realtime. Thanks to our live streams, fans of independent film and the latest in storytelling can connect with creative minds, get stories from behind the screen, and add context to the work we showcase.

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So You Want to Be a Producer? Catching Up with 5 Creative Producing Alumni

The role—or perhaps we should say the perception—of the creative film producer is one often muddled by notions of financial brokering and budget consciousness. It may be the film credit most often dislodged from its raison d’etre, which is inherently creative. There’s a reason that producing teams appear on-stage to accept Best Picture honors during award seasons, and it has everything to do with their intimacy with a project from conception to completion.

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Keep It Legit: Support Our Supporters

Like us, we expect you’re excited to see the incredible new work that will premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Even a quick glance at our program reveals many standout, can’t-miss experiences. Whiplash, Reservoir Dogs, and Cartel Land are just a few of the gems launched at the Festival over the years, and as the days count down we’re buzzing with excitement for the discoveries yet to be made.

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