
By Stephanie Ornelas
Raw, truthful, collaborative. These were the three words writer-director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz uses to describe the labs at Sundance Institute.
When Lungulov-Klotz applied to the Sundance Institute's Screenwriters Intensive as part of the Feature Film Development Track in 2017, he had one project on his mind and one project only: Mutt. He had a fully written script, and although he wasn't completely satisfied with it, it was a story he was willing to fight for, and he decided that it was time to put the wheels in motion.
This was definitely where my heart was at. It was the story that I thought I would fight till the end to get made. There was a lot of passion behind it, Lungulov-Klotz tells Collab members during Sundance Collab's recent Insider Session about applying to the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Development Track.
The 2024 Feature Film Program Development Track is now accepting applications, and the purpose of Sundance Insider Sessions is to provide behind-the-scenes information and guidance on Sundance labs, grants, and other programs. Moderator llyse McKimmie, Deputy Director, Feature Film Program at Sundance Institute, was on hand following the discussion with Lungulov-Klotz to answer any questions participants might have about applying to the programs.
Despite his script for Mutt not being exactly where he wanted it to be, Lungulov-Klotz submitted it to Sundance Institute's Screenwriters Intensive and was accepted into the two-day program in Los Angeles - thus starting his journey to get his story about a young trans person who reconnects with family and friends over 24 hours out into the world. The intensive would end up giving the writer-director the tools he needed to keep improving his script.
It wasn't in the best shape. It was a clumsy attempt at getting my ideas out there, Lungulov-Klotz says of his original script.
Lio Mehiel appears in a still from Mutt by Vuk Lunulov-Klotz, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Matthew Pothier And although the journey was long, the outcome was rewarding. Mutt went on to have its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize: Acting for Lio Mehiel's performance as Fe a. The film was also recently acquired for distribution by Strand Releasing.
I think it's helpful to say my movie centers around a trans person in his mid-20s running around New York - going to pick up his father who's coming from Chile, bumping into an ex, encountering his little sister. It's a very personal story that painted a portrait of transness that wasn't really seen that much in the media, Lungulov-Klotz continues.
After reworking his script using the feedback he received from the intensive, he soon had a revamped screenplay just in time for the subsequent Screenwriters Lab, a five-day program at the Sundance Resort in Utah.
I was a first-time feature film writer-director, and my producer was also a first-time producer, so every stage in which Sundance came in provided a space and made it that much more serious and real. It was a great way to get people to listen to me. I could say, Hey, I know I'm 24, but I just went through the [Sundance] labs with this movie. Do you want to hear more about it?' It's a really good conversation starter and very empowering.
And the resources Lungulov-Klotz got from the lab as a first time writer-director were invaluable, he explains to Collab members.
The idea of being taken so seriously at a young age and being in a room full of creatives at different stages of their careers gave me a lot of strength to continue [making the film], he explains.
Lio Mehiel and Cole Doman appear in a still from Mutt by Vuk Lunulov-Klotz, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Matthew Pothier The way the lab is set up with mentorships - it's a great environment. I remember specific exercises they had us do. That's something that I've kept with me, Lungulov-Klotz continues. It was great being in a room reading [the script] out loud.
Those five days of mentorship and workshops proved to be a springboard for Mutt. Lungulov-Klotz kept in touch with advisors like John August and Liz Hannah and fellows like Roger Ross Williams, with whom Lungulov-Klotz got to reunite at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. During that same Screenwriters Lab in 2017, Lungulov-Klotz was working on his script for Mutt while Williams was working on Cassandro, which also premiered at the 2023 Festival - talk about a full-circle moment.
I've met really great people who have continued to talk to me and stayed very curious about me and my career, says Lungulov-Klotz. And it was amazing because being a mentor was helping them write. It just reminded me that we're not all lost. We can all help each other. And entering that space was really helpful for me.
I'm not just saying this because this is a Sundance webinar, but going through the labs was a big part of what kept feeling like, I can't be crazy if someone saw something in me, he continues. Every time that I was close to giving up, someone else would read the script and just be very, very touched.
As many filmmakers can attest, the journey to creating a feature film can be long and complex - it was a six-year journey to bring Mutt to life. In an inspiring moment during the Collab event, Lungulov-Klotz shares with participants about his time working as a grip throughout the labs and during the filmmaking process.
Stephen Scarpulla, MiMi Ryder, Cole Doman, Director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz, Lio Mehiel, Alexander Stegmaier, and Joel Michaely attend th
More from Sundance Institute
08/05/2025
A sinister fairy infiltrates a desperate family in Kenneth Dagatan's In My Mother's Skin, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Photo co...
05/05/2025
Shari Sebbens attends the 2024 Sundance Film Festival The Moogai premiere at The Ray Theatre in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Donayle West/Shutterstock for Sunda...
02/05/2025
The 85th annual Peabody Awards were a special moment for Sundance Institute-supp...
02/05/2025
The 46th annual News & Documentary Emmys are just around the corner, and this ye...
01/05/2025
Paul Reubens appears in Pee-wee as Himself, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Michael Ochs A...
30/04/2025
Film elements held at the Deluxe warehouse in March of 2015. Photo by Luis Silva...
29/04/2025
(L-R) Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne, Nyle DiMarco, Jerry Covell, Greg Hlibok, and Davis Guggenheim attend the premiere of Deaf President Now! at Eccles Theatre ...
25/04/2025
Emily Watson, Isaiah Saxon, Helena Zengel, and Finn Wolfhard at The Legend of Ochi premiere (photo by Soul Brother/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)...
24/04/2025
We're huge fans of shining a spotlight on the documentaries that empower, en...
22/04/2025
Chloe Sevigny at the Magic Farm premiere (photo by Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)...
21/04/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival is having a front-row seat for the bright future of independent filmmaking. Whi...
18/04/2025
Director Andrew Ahn, alongside actors Youn Yuh-jung and Joan Chen, takes a photo of the audience after the premiere of his film The Wedding Banquet at Eccles ...
17/04/2025
Emilie Blichfeldt attends the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of The Ugly ...
16/04/2025
It's an understatement to say that the Peabody Awards are major. The winners...
14/04/2025
By Bailey Pennick
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festi...
11/04/2025
(L-R) Kevin Macdonald and Sam Rice-Edwards attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of One to One: John & Yoko at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2025, ...
09/04/2025
The cast and crew of The Librarians attend the film's 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere at The Ray Theatre. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for S...
09/04/2025
By Jandiz Estrada Cardoso
I am overjoyed to share the eight screenwriting fellows selected to participate in Sundance Institute's 2025 Episodic Intensive. ...
09/04/2025
A still from Captains of Zaatari by Ali El Arabi, an official selection of the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Courte...
07/04/2025
By Bailey Pennick
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festi...
03/04/2025
(L-R) Ji-young Yoo, Pedro Pascal, and Jay Ellis at the Freaky Tales premiere. (Photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Stephanie...
02/04/2025
Pedro Pascal appears in Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's Freaky Tales, which pr...
27/03/2025
Boulders Vibrant Community of Artists, Enthusiastic Audiences, and Breathtaking ...
26/03/2025
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood reviews the script for her beloved film Love and Basketball, which she workshopped at the 1998 Directors Lab before it premiere...
24/03/2025
Residency Honoring the Legacy of Social Justice Leader Michael Latt Selects Eigh...
21/03/2025
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 23: (L-R) Jos Esteban Alenda, Maximiliano Rivas, Glorimar Marrero S nchez, Isel Rodr guez, Pedro Juan Lopez, and Amaya Izquierdo atte...
19/03/2025
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 20: (L-R) Shoko Egawa, Chiaki Yanagimoto, Ben Braun, and Andrew Marshall attend the 2023 Sundance Film Festival AUM: The Cult at the ...
14/03/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
13/03/2025
(L-R) Stephanie Suganami, Tatanka Means, John Malkovich, Ayo Edebiri, and Juliette Lewis attend the premiere of Opus at Eccles Theatre in Park City. (Photo by...
11/03/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
06/03/2025
The Building Bridges Completion Fund reaffirms a commitment to showcasing
and c...
05/03/2025
By Stephanie Ornelas
(L-R) Kenner Bolt, Brendon Boyea, Hiep Tran Nghia, Sing J. Lee, Andy Sorgie and Dustin Nguyen attend the 2023 Sundance Film Festival The...
03/03/2025
The 2025 Academy Awards were a shining moment for Sundance-supported films, underscoring the Festival's role as a launchpad for powerful storytelling and gr...
27/02/2025
Director Rashad Frett and actor Stephan James share a hug on stage following the premiere of Ricky. Photo by Jason Peters
By the Archives team
Though the 20...
26/02/2025
Glenn Close, Michelle Satter, and Marielle Heller at The Sundance Film Festival ...
26/02/2025
Created in 2003 to recognize an outstanding feature film addressing ideas or characters central to science and technology, this juried prize is awarded through ...
26/02/2025
The Gayle Stevens Volunteer Award is given annually to a volunteer who has demonstrated a long-standing passion for and commitment to the work of the Sundance I...
26/02/2025
And just like that, it's awards day! We're here at The Ray Theatre in Park City, Utah, for the much-anticipated 2025 Sundance Film Festival Awards Cerem...
26/02/2025
It's only been a few days since the 2025 Sundance Film Festival finished up,...
23/02/2025
Today, the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards filmmakers took over Santa Monica...
13/02/2025
By Jessica Herndon
While we're still riding high over our incredible 2025 ...
13/02/2025
12 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Filmmakers Selected for...
12/02/2025
Sly Stone appears in SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) by Ahmir Que...
12/02/2025
By Jessica Herndon
As awards season heats up, a handful of celebrated filmmakers and artists are grabbing our attention, and many of them have shared their ex...
02/02/2025
2026 Edition of Sundance Film Festival to Take Place in Park City and Salt Lake ...
30/01/2025
Steven Yeun and Kristen Stewart at the Love Me premiere (photo by George Pimentl...
29/01/2025
PARK CITY, UTAH, January 28, 2025 - Tonight the nonprofit Sundance Institute awarded the prizes for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Program at the Sh...
23/01/2025
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 19: Steven Soderbergh at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival Presence premiere at the Library Center Theatre on January 19, 2024, in Par...
23/01/2025
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival is kicking off and the Oscar nominations have dr...
18/01/2025
10 Projects to Be Developed at Annual January Screenwriters Lab;
10 Projects t...