Sundance Institute recently announced the 14 projects selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah May 30 – June 30, 2011. Under the leadership of Michelle Satter, Director of the Sundance Feature Film Program, and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the projects selected for this year's program include emerging filmmakers and projects from the United States, Israel, Romania, Mexico, the Philippines and Algeria. Sundance Institute is marking the 30th anniversary of its first Directors Lab, led by Robert Redford and Satter in 1981.
Over the course of the Directors Lab, Fellows work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors, professional actors, and production crews, shooting and editing key scenes from their screenplays. Through this intense, hands-on process, the Fellows workshop text, collaborate with actors, and find a visual storytelling language for their films in an atmosphere where experimentation and risk-taking is encouraged. Fellows also join in the weeklong Screenwriters Lab with six additional projects to participate in individualized story sessions under the guidance of established screenwriters.
The projects and participants selection for the 30th Anniversary of the Sundance Institute June Directors Lab from May 30 – June 23 are:
- Adelaide/Liliana Greenfield-Sanders (writer/director), U.S.A.
- Adelyne/Holden Abigail Osborne (writer/director), U.S.A.
- The American People/Keith Davis (writer/director), U.S.A.
- La Raya/Yolanda Cruz (writer/director), Mexico/U.S.A.
- Little Accidents/Sara Colangelo (writer/director), U.S.A.
- The Storm King/Carlo Mirabella-Davis (writer/director), U.S.A.
- Wolf/Bodgan Mustata (writer/director), Romania
- Zero Motivation/Talya Lavie (writer/director), Israel
- Ajax/Carson Mell (writer/director), U.S.A.
- Hurt Village/Katori Hall (writer), U.S.A.
- Red Olive Tree/Karim Bensalah (writer/director), Algeria/France
- Satra/Sheron Dayoc (writer/director), Philippines
- What He Did/Kyle Burns (writer/director), U.S.A.
- Ad Inexplorata/Mark Elijah Rosenberg (writer/director), U.S.A.
humor and grace; whether their characters are impacted by socio-political conflicts in the world at large, or the smaller, equally treacherous wars fought within ruptured families, they are engaging audiences on the highest level."
Sundance Institute Executive Director Keri Putnam added, “All of the Institute’s work to date was born out of the original idea of bringing artists to the mountains, away from commercial pressures, to be nurtured by nature and encouraged by creative leaders in the film world. It is our distinct pleasure to welcome this latest class of fellows who join our amazing, supportive group of alumni around the world.”
Gyula Gazdag returns as Artistic Director of the Directors Lab. This year's Creative Advisors for the Directors and Screenwriters Labs include Robert Redford, Michael Almereyda, John August, Scott Burns, Scott Cooper, Sebastian Cordero, Joan Darling, Suzy Elmiger, Robert Elswit, Sally Field, John Gatins, Michael Goldenberg, William Goldenberg, Deena Goldstone, Keith Gordon, Randa Haines, Catherine Hardwicke, Azazel Jacobs, Jeremy Kagan, Kasi Lemmons, Denis Lenoir, Peter Medak, Walter Mosley, Jessie Nelson, Tim Blake Nelson, Billy Ray, Howard Rodman, Susan Shilliday, Brad Silberling, Dana Stevens, Joan Tewkesbury, Barbara Tulliver,
Audrey Wells, and Doug Wright.
About Karim Bensalah
Red Olive Tree/Karim Bensalah (writer/director), Algeria/France: Plagued by divided loyalties following the French-Algerian war, the recently deceased Ahmed miraculously arises to lead his bickering French family to his homeland, where they grapple with the consequences of the choices he made in life and allow him to find peace in death.
Karim Bensalah was born in Algeria. After spending his childhood in Algeria, Brazil, Haiti and Senegal, he went to study social sciences and philosophy in France. Bensalah next attended the London Film School, where he directed the short films Constant Flow and Fatima’s Secret. In 2005, he directed a segment of the feature film Paris La Métisse along with 15 other young directors. He has also directed short films with the group Collectif Tribudom, and created his own installation work. Bensalah recently completed Chibanis, a documentary about Arab workers in France.
About the program
Since 1981, the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program (FFP) has supported more than 450 independent filmmakers whose distinctive, singular work has engaged audiences worldwide. The program’s approach to the discovery and development of independent artists has become a model for creative development programs internationally. Program staff fully embrace the unique vision of each filmmaker, encouraging a rigorous creative process with a focus on original and deeply personal storytelling. Each year, up to 25 emerging filmmakers from the U.S. and around the world participate in a year-round continuum of support which can include the Screenwriters and Directors Labs, Creative Producing Fellowship and Lab, Composers Lab, Creative Producing Summit, ongoing creative and strategic advice, significant production and postproduction resources, a Rough-Cut Screening Initiative, a Screenplay Reading Series, and direct financial support through project-specific grants and artist fellowships. In many cases, the Institute has helped the Program’s fellows attach producers and talent, secure financing, and assemble other significant resources to move their projects toward production and presentation. In addition, the FFP is providing strategic resources to completed Lab films in distribution and
marketing across all platforms to support and expand their connection to audiences worldwide.
Contact Information:
For inquiries: Brooks_addicott@sundance.org
Website: http://www.sundance.org