Sundance Institute to Host a Week of Creative Film Producing Initiatives July 8 August 4, 04

Sundance Institute to Host a Week of Creative Film Producing Initiatives July 28 August 4, 2014 Nine Projects Selected for Creative Producing Labs, Ongoing Support and Granting; 40 Independent Filmmakers and 50 Industry Leaders Converge for Creative Producing Summit

Posted Jul 28, 2014

Park City, UT Sundance Institute today announced the participants for its annual Creative Producing Labs and Creative Producing Summit, both held the week of July 28 at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah. These activities are part of the Institutes year-round Creative Producing Initiative, which encompasses a series of Labs, Fellowships and other signature events that support independent producers. The Creative Producing Labs and Summit wrap the summer season of 10 residential Labs hosted in Utah by Sundance Institute, collectively representing 15 weeks of residency support and mentorship for the most promising new independent film and theatre projects from the United States and around the world.

Nine films, both documentary and narrative, will participate in the Labs (July 28 August 1), where they will work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative producing, communication and problem-solving skills in all stages of film production. These Producing Fellows will also receive ongoing creative and strategic support throughout the year, as well as direct granting for further development and production. This years Fellows represent nine projects identified by Sundance Institutes Feature Film Program and Documentary Film Program.

Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, Independent producers play a critical role in discovering, fighting for and shaping original voices. Sundance Institute is committed to developing and supporting independent producers whose skills and tenacity are critical to maintaining the health and vibrancy of independent film.

Immediately following the Labs, the Summit (August 1-4) takes place. The Creative Producing Summit is a three-day, invitation-only gathering that connects 40 independent filmmakers with more than 50 top film industry professionals including producers, distributors, sales agents, financiers and broadcasters to build a dialogue on film producing and the state of the independent film industry. Programmed events include case study sessions, panels, roundtable discussions, one-on-one meetings and pitching sessions. Panelists this year include Michael Barker (Sony Pictures Classics), Christine Vachon (Killer Films), Tom Quinn (Radius-TWC), Paul Mezey (Journeyman Pictures), Rena Ronson (UTA), Ron Yerxa (Bona Fide Productions), Diane Weyermann (Participant), Jessica Lacy (ICM), John Sloss (Cinetic), Jess Search (BritDoc), Kevin Iwashina (Preferred Content), Lois Vossen (Independent Lens), Ian Bricke (Netflix) and Josh Braun (Submarine).

FEATURE FILM CREATIVE PRODUCING LAB

The Feature Film Creative Producing Lab allows emerging narrative feature film producers to work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative and strategic instincts and skills in all stages of film production. This years Creative Advisors include producers Paul Mezey (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Pam Koffler (Boys Dont Cry), Jay Van Hoy (Love is Strange) and Julie Lynn (Albert Nobbs).

The Fellows and projects selected for the 2014 Feature Film Creative Producing Fellowship are:

Black Bats

Producing Fellows: Adam Hendricks and John Lang

Feeling cast out from society, two teens form a romantic relationship under the belief that theyre transforming into monsters. What begins as fantasy ends with horrific consequences as they both lose touch with reality. (Writer/Director: Rick Spears)

Adam Hendricks has had over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, including development positions at The Jinks/Cohen Company and Macari Edelstein Entertainment. Adam left development to raise financing and produce the independent feature film Caroline and Jackie (Tribeca FF 2012). He developed and produced a variety of web series for Fourth Wall Studios, including Dirty Work, winner of the 2012 Emmy for Original Interactive Programming. In 2013, Adam partnered with John Lang to form Divide & Conquer, a production company specializing in independent films, as well as commercials for clients including Ford, EA Sports and Victory Motorcycles.

John Lang began his career in Austin, Texas, working with the Austin Cinemath que and South by Southwest Film Festival. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2008, John has worked in a variety of fields within the film industry including production, development, festivals, and sales. In 2011, John joined Rough & Tumble Films as a development and production executive, where he co-produced We Gotta Get Outta this Place (TIFF 2013). In 2013, John partnered with Adam Hendricks to form the commercial and feature film production company, Divide & Conquer.

Im No Longer Here

Producing Fellows: Gerry Kim and Mayuran Tiruchelvam

Following the death of his older brother, a teenage Mexican boy is forced to migrate to New York City. When he arrives, he quickly realizes that the violence plaguing his home is no match for the feelings of alienation and loneliness he experiences in America. (Writer/Director: Fernando Frias)

Gerry Kim & Mayuran Tiruchelvam formed Dodgeville Films to produce humanistic narrative and documentary films. Their most recent documentary, To Be Takei, a portrait of actor/activist GeorgeTakei, premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Starz Digital Media. Gerry produced House of Suh, a feature documentary that premiered at HotDocs in 2010 and aired on MSNBC. Mayuran wrote and co-produced The Girl is in Trouble, executive produced by Spike Lee, and line-produced The Mend, which premiered at SXSW in 2014. In addition to Im No Longer Here, Gerry and

LINK:	http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/sundance-institute-to-hos...
	See more stories from sundance

Most recent headlines