Category: News

As the director of the Native American and Indigenous Program, the most common question I get is “How can we see these Native films that you are supporting?” It has always been a struggle for the Native audience to watch Native films. Not only is this audience isolated from art-house theaters in major cities, but Native films receive varying distribution deals that don’t quite compete in a flooded market of film releases.In today’s world, audiences are viewing films and content in so many different ways—on their televisions, their iPads, and even their game stations.

Los Angeles, CA — With November as ‘Native American Heritage Month,’ three films about Native American culture make their digital premieres today through the Sundance Institute Artist Services access to distribution program, which provides Institute artists with exclusive opportunities for creative self-distribution, marketing and financing solutions for their work. Look for the films on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Microsoft Xbox Video, Sony Entertainment Network, SundanceNOW, VUDU and YouTube. Films will be available on Hulu, Netflix and SnagFilms in the coming weeks.

LOS ANGELES — Bones Brigade: An Autobiography is now available through the Sundance Institute Artist Services access to distribution program, which provides Institute artists with exclusive opportunities for creative self-distribution, marketing and financing solutions for their work. The film continues the creative distribution strategy that began with a direct-to-fan campaign powered by Sundance Institute Artist Services collaborator Topspin Media.Look for the film today on Amazon Instant Video, Microsoft Xbox Video, Sony Entertainment Network, SundanceNOW, VUDU and YouTube.

Park City, UT — Sundance Institute Executive Director Keri Putnam announced the appointment of Sarah Pearce and Laurie Hopkins to the positions of Co-Managing Directors of the Institute. Reporting to Putnam and based in Park City, Utah, Hopkins and Pearce will share duties as internal and external leaders of the organization, each with distinct areas of responsibility. In addition, Brooke McAffee has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Sundance Institute.

Los Angeles, CA — Screenwriting fellows for the eighth edition of the Rawi Screenwriters Lab were announced today by The Royal Film Commission-Jordan and Sundance Institute. The Rawi Screenwriters Lab is an example of Sundance Institute’s longstanding international work to support emerging filmmakers around the world. Former Rawi Fellows include Cherien Dabis (Amreeka), Mohammed Al Daradji (Son Of Babylon) and Sally El Hosaini (My Brother The Devil).

Fall foliage, crisp wintry air, Thanksgiving turkey—autumn hardly begets a period of intense film contemplation. Nevertheless, we’re roughly two months out from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and there’s a feverish, borderline manic temperament that pervades the Sundance Institute offices. Staffers have shed the fleeting tranquilities of summer and are standing face-to-face with next year’s Festival—except, “next year” is deviously misleading.

As America hovers in election limbo over the next 48 hours, we offer you a brief respite from the conjecture with a slate of politically charged films from the annals of the Sundance Film Festival. Give your bit-chomping, hand-wringing ways a rest and check out these titles.8: The Mormon Proposition Directors: Reed Cowan and Steven GreenstreetCowan and Greenstreet not only make for a potent-sounding law firm, but also a socially and politically biting documentary.

New York, NY — Sundance Institute today announced the seven artists selected for its 2013 Playwrights Retreat at Ucross Foundation, February 4-22, 2013. The annual writing colony at the 20,000-acre working cattle ranch outside of Sheridan, Wyo. provides a supportive environment for artists to create new work and receive guidance and reactions to it at an early stage.

Park City, UT — Locals planning to attend the 2013 Sundance Film Festival that have not yet purchased passes or ticket packages should consider individual ticketing options.  The 2013 Sundance Film Festival will be January 17-27, 2013.
From tomorrow (November 6) through December 17 at 5:00 p.

“Through the act of watching a film about Cuba, in Chinese or in English, we are one audience. We are finding a space for one dialogue. I left China with a renewed belief in art as a way to find common ground for constructive discussion.

On the eve of the year’s most devious day, and in deference to the spirits, creatures, and other nocturnal dwellers of our world, we’ve nominated five Sundance-supported films for your Halloween viewing pleasure. And if that’s not enough, check out Gowatchit.com’s curated channel featuring the best films culled from the Sundance Film Festival’s Park City at Midnight category.

Below, filmmaker Razelle Benally—known for shorts like I Am Thy Weapon, Raven, and Te Kaitiaki—recounts her experiences at Sundance Institute’s NativeLab. Driving to the airport the morning before my departure, I stared aimlessly at passing cars, my thoughts focused on the forthcoming workshop intensive. It was no surprise how anxious and almost diffident I had become because of my selection into the NativeLab.