Los Angeles, CA — Expanding on ongoing efforts to engage the next generation of filmmakers and film lovers, Sundance Institute will host a free filmmaker roundtable, film screenings, discussions and master classes in the ATL and Macon March 28-31, in collaboration with Sticky Toe Pads. Independent filmmakers, local students and film fans are invited to attend the events, which are part of the Institute’s ongoing efforts to connect cultures and people through film.
Sundance Film Forward will host free screenings of acclaimed independent films Dope and Umrika, as well as guided discussions with filmmakers Mimi Valdes (Dope) and Prashant Nair and Swati Shetty (Umrika). The events will take place in a range of venues and schools across Atlanta and Macon, including Morehouse College, Georgia Tech Library and Middle Georgia State University, which is hosted by Tubman Museum.
Sundance Film Forward uses film and conversations with filmmakers to excite and introduce a new generation to the power of story, while fostering a global community. The program, designed for 18- to 24-year-olds, students and artists offers film screenings and discussions to excite and cultivate new audiences for independent film. It uses the power of cinema to promote broader cultural understanding, inspire curiosity and enhance awareness of shared stories and values across generations, religions, ethnicities and borders. Sundance Film Forward is an initiative of Sundance Institute and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Meredith Lavitt, Director of Sundance Film Forward, said “By bringing Sundance Film Forward to Atlanta and Macon, we hope to interact with students and artists from all over the cities. We look forward to creating inspiration and cultivating dialogue around the art of storytelling among our next generation of filmmakers and movie lovers.”
For a full schedule of Sundance Film Forward events and venues, visit sundance.org/filmforward.
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.
Sundance Film Forward Federal Partners
The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) bridges the interests of American federal agencies and the private sector, supports special projects that increase participation and excellence in the arts and humanities, and helps incorporate these disciplines into White House objectives. First Lady Michelle Obama is the Honorary Chairman of the PCAH.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. The mission of IMLS is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. The agency’s grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit imls.gov and follow @US_IMLS on Twitter and on Facebook.
The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov, follow us on Twitter @NEAarts or like us on Facebook.
