Slamdance Press Releases

2009 FEATURE SCREENPLAY WINNER ANNOUNCED

2009-10-19T20:39:37Z

October 7, 2009

For Immediate Release

SLAMDANCE ANNOUNCES SCREENPLAY 2009 COMPETITION WINNERS

The Top 10 finalists of the 14th Annual Slamdance Screenplay Competition have been announced, with Phil Hwang’s Male Order Bride taking top honors. Hwang was given a $5,000 cash prize for best feature length screenplay during an awards presentation hosted by the Writers Guild of America, West and co-presented by InkTip.

Male Order Bride tells the story of a desperate young Armenian man who poses as a mail order bride in order to get to the United States.

Other winners (ordered 2nd through 10th place) include: The Violin Case Killers written by Sean Fitzpatrick, The Norm written by Britt Aamodt, North of Here written by Kurt Smith, The Revisionistwritten by Jim Soscie, Seven Thousand Islands written by Gary White, Mafia written by Adeola Alao,Borderland written by J.R. Taylor, Pritt written by Mary McDermott, Rock, Paper, Scissors written by Rodrigo Patino & Luis Fernandez Reneo.

The winners were announced at a special awards ceremony last night hosted by the Writers Guild of America, West, and co-presented by InkTip. Attendees included Slamdance alumni, industry invitees, members of the WGAW Independent Writers Caucus and Slamdance Writing Awards Sponsors.

Slamdance received a record 2,000+ submissions for the Feature Screenplay Competition, which strives to bring attention to the most talented emerging screenwriters and introduce them to the industry. Previous Competition-winning screenplays that were acquired for production include Nicole Kassell and Stephen Fetcher’s The Woodsman, Joshua Marston’s Maria Full of Grace, Tim Boughn’sNeo Ned and Nancy Kissam’s Drool that will be theatrically released by Strand this November.

“Right now our winner is running a cleaning upholstery business in San Bernardino, but given his obvious writing talent and our increasingly successful production record, there’s every chance Phil will soon have to decide which business he wants to be in,” said Slamdance President and Co-founder Peter Baxter.

The success of the Slamdance Screenplay Competition over the past thirteen years and the writers it has discovered continues to attract the attention of industry searching for the best new independent writing talent. As a year-round organization, Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent and is dedicated to the nurturing and development of new independent artists and their cinematic vision. Slamdance has received over 3,000 writing submissions so far this year - a record number - and is currently accepting horror and thriller script submissions. Slamdance Film Festival will run concurrently with the Sundance Film Festival, January 21-28, 2010 in Park City, Utah. Slamdance still lives by its mantra: "By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers." No other festival is fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance is proud to count among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the festival, including such cinematic luminaries as Christopher Nolan, Marc Forster and Jared Hess. New filmmakers and writers today realize that Slamdance is a place to launch their careers. For more information, log onto www.slamdance.com

2009 SLAMDANCE TELEPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

2009-10-19T20:38:14Z

August 26, 2009

For Immediate Release

SLAMDANCE ANNOUNCES TELEPLAY 2009 COMPETITION WINNERS - "THE CLAYTONS" WINS ACT III's SPONSORED $10,0000 FIRST PLACE CASH PRIZE IN SCRIPTED CATEGORY AND "FX FACTORY" WINS FOR UNSCRIPTED

The winners of Annual Slamdance Teleplay Competition have been announced with "The Claytons" taking top honors in Slamdance's scripted category. "The Claytons" is written by Beverly Neufeld and says about her first teleplay work "forget the Kennedys forget the Bushes. The Claytons will rule the world". A graduate of UCLA's MFA Screenwriting program, Neufeld will be awarded Act III's sponsored $10,000 prize during an awards presentation hosted by the Writers Guild of America, West on October 6 in Los Angeles. "FX Factory" is the winner of Slamdance's unscripted category and was conceived by the newly formed partnership of James Wade, Brian Beacock and Lauren Bass. The writing team wins $5,000 in goods and services from Filmworksfx for their future production endeavors. As fans of special effects and horror, their reality show takes you behind the scenes of the various artists that craft this field.

Runners-up in the Teleplay Scripted Category are 2^nd place "Standards and Practices" by Chase Sprull, 3^rd place "Miseducated" by Martin Aguilera, 4^th place "Fatima" by Sabrina Naqvi and 5^th place "Corporate Debt" by Zach Esper. Act III's Norman Lear and Lara Bergthold worked closely with Slamdance to find this year's top placed teleplay's, "We were excited about working with Slamdance to discover talented new and independent screenwriters and the effort did not disappoint. We look forward to getting to know these writers and to seeing their dreams realized on the small screen soon."

The Teleplay competition is part of Slamdance's increasingly successful Writing component that over the past twelve years has discovered many new writers and continues to attract the attention of industry searching for the best new independent writing talent. Previous success stories include Slamdance's alum Marc Forster introducing eventual producer Lee Daniels to first place winner "The Woodsman" written by Nicole Nicole Kassell and Steven Fechter. Every year now top placed written works are subsequently produced or optioned. Last year's horror competition winner "The Punished" was optioned by producer Gregory Segal and most recently Slamdance helped writer Nancy Kissam find production for her first place feature script "Drool" with Upload Films. "Drool" showcased at the Slamdance 2009 Festival and will be theatrically released later this year by Strand. Slamdance's President and Co-founder Peter Baxter says, "it's our goal to keep developing great independent talent for commercial success".

As a year-round organization, Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent and is dedicated to the nurturing and development of new independent artists and their cinematic vision. Slamdance has received over 2,600 writing submissions so far this year - a record number - and is currently accepting horror and thriller script submissions. Slamdance Film Festival will run concurrently with the Sundance Film Festival, January 21-28, 2010 in Park City, Utah. Slamdance still lives by its mantra: "By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers." No other festival is fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance is proud to count among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the festival, including such cinematic luminaries as Christopher Nolan, Marc Forster and Jared Hess. New filmmakers and writers today realize that Slamdance is a place to launch their careers. For more information, log onto www.slamdance.com.

***

Press Contacts:

Slamdance Film Festival

323 466 1786

SLAMDANCE 2009 AWARD WINNERS

2009-01-24T17:18:30Z

2009 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARDS WINNERS

The 15th annual Slamdance Film Festival has announced 16 film and screenplay prize winners in four categories who will share more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. The just-concluded Festival in Park City, Utah, received over 3,000 submissions from 25 countries for 120 programming slots. 2009 marked the 15th anniversary of the Slamdance Film Festival, one of the few remaining movie showcases whose sole mission is to nurture, support and introduce truly independent works from first-time filmmakers.

There are three competitive divisions at Slamdance: Grand Jury, Audience and Writer Awards, in addition to Special Awards given by Kodak, Dos Equis and IndieRoad.net. Selections from the Grand Jury and Audience Award winning films will be screened at the IFC Center in New York City and the DGA in Los Angeles. Feature competition is limited to first-time filmmakers working with production budgets of $1 million or less.
Thus far, the Slamdance film "The Ante" has been acquired for U.S. distribution by Panorama Entertainment from Peter Proffit Pictures, and separately, Revolver Entertainment has snapped up UK rights from Facefilms and Scanner Rhodes Productions to “City Rats.” Both features appeared in the Slamdance Narrative Competition. It is expected that at least four other 2009 Slamdance films will also be acquired soon.

“As ever, if you wanted to see the best in truly independent film and emerging talent,” noted Peter Baxter, Co-Founder/President of Slamdance, “Slamdance No. 15 was the place to be. Congratulations to all of our winners and especially to all of our filmmakers who continue to strengthen our community...our family.”

Another great success this year was Slamdance’s recently formed online venture with IndieRoad.net, a website created by a team of veteran entertainment and business executives to address the lack of robust distribution options available to promising new talent in the independent film field. Through a combined Slamdance/IndieRoad.net site

(www.indieRoad.net/slamdance), Slamdance films streamed during the Festival period. Bringing the Festival to a worldwide audience for the first time, this groundbreaking partnership allowed audiences, press and buyers the opportunity to see the Festival films from a location of their choosing.

"I feel like this year was a true turning point for us, and it's incredibly satisfying,” commented Slamdance Executive Director Drea Clark. “Not only did we receive a new level of support and attention from industry reps and media outlets, our filmmakers and audience participants all seemed to really respond to the energy and sense of community that we strive so hard to create. I can't think of any other year where I got more constant and positive feedback from every level, and I'm so appreciative that what we're trying to do really came across."

The winners of the 15th Slamdance Film Festival and their prize packages are as follows:

GRAND JURY AWARDS
Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature
Winner: A QUIET LITTLE MARRIAGE, directed by Mo Perkins
Special Jury Mention for Best Performance: Larry Fessenden in I SELL THE DEAD
WINNER RECEIVES:
Filmworksfx credit ($15,000 value)
$3,500 credit on legal services from Pierce Law Group, LLP
FilmTracker System
Showbiz Software Package
Jungle Software Package

Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature
Winner: STRONGMAN, directed by Zachary Levy
Special Jury Mention: SECOND SIGHT, directed by Alison McAlpine
WINNER RECEIVES:
Filmworksfx credit ($10,000)
Panasonic HVX200 Camera
$3,500 credit on legal services from Pierce Law Group, LLP
FilmTracker System
Showbiz Software Package
Jungle Software Package

Grand Jury Award for Best Animated Short
Winner: UNDONE, directed by Hayley Morris
WINNER RECEIVES:
Filmworksfx credit ($2,500 value)
FilmTracker System
Showbiz Software Package
Jungle Software Package

Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Short
Winner: RARE CHICKEN RESCUE, directed by Randall Wood
WINNER RECEIVES:
Filmworksfx credit ($2,500 value)
FilmTracker System
Showbiz Software Package
Jungle Software Package

Grand Jury Award for Best Experimental Short
Winner: FUNNY GUY, directed by Frank R. Rinaldi
WINNER RECEIVES:
Filmworksfx credit ($2,500 value)
FilmTracker System

Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Short
Winner: PRINCESS MARGARET BLVD, directed by Kazik Radwanski
Special Jury Mention: TONY ZOREIL, directed by Valentin Potier
WINNER RECEIVES:
Filmworksfx credit ($2,500 value)
FilmTracker System
Showbiz Software Package
Jungle Software Package

Grand Jury Award for Best Music Video
Winner: DON McCLOSKEY MISTER NOVOCAINE directed by Peter Rhoads 
WINNER RECEIVES:
Gibson SG Special Guitar presented by Gibson Guitar

AUDIENCE AWARDS

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
Winner: PUNCHING THE CLOWN, directed by Gregory Viens
WINNER RECEIVES:
$2,000 credit from Alpha Cine
FilmTracker System
Post Factory NY editing credit
Showbiz Software Package
Jungle Software Package

Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature
Winner: HEART OF STONE (formerly ITS HARD TO BE AN INDIAN), directed by Beth Toni Kruvant
WINNER RECEIVES:
$2,000 credit from Alpha Cine
$4,000 credit from Filmworks
FilmTracker System
Post Factory NY editing credit
Showbiz Software Package
Jungle Software Package

Audience Award for Best Anarchy Film

Winner: THE TIDES, directed by Eva Flodstrom

WINNER RECEIVES:

$2,500 credit from Filmworks

FilmTracker System

Showbiz Software Package

Jungle Software Package

Spirit of Slamdance Award

Winners (tie): ZOMBIE GIRL, directed by Aaron Marshall, Erik Mauck, Justin Johnson; and VAPID LOVELIES, directed by Frank Feldman

Awarded by the Class of 2009 filmmakers to the film teams that best exhibit passion and talent, commitment to the independent community, and enthusiastically embrace all Slamdance has to offer.

WINNERS RECEIVE:

Michael Collins Gift Basket

SPECIAL AWARDS

Kodak Vision Award for Best Cinematography

Winner: I SELL THE DEAD, cinematographer Richard Lopez

WINNER RECEIVES:

$10,000 worth of Kodak Film (35mm or 16mm film stock)

Dos Equis Most Interesting Film Award

Winner: YOU MIGHT AS WELL LIVE, directed by Simon Ellis 

WINNER RECEIVES: Special Prize Package from Dos Equis

IndieRoad Award

Winner: PUNCHING THE CLOWN, directed by Gregory Viens

The online audience award voted on by IndieRoad.net viewers.

WINNER RECEIVES: $5,000 credit from Lightning Media

WRITER AWARDS

Award for Best Screenplay

Winner: NUMBERED (Comedy/Thriller) by Neil McGowan

WINNER RECEIVES: $7,000 Cash Prize

Award for Best Short Screenplay

Winner: CRYBABY (Thriller) by Mark Seidel

WINNER RECEIVES: $500 Cash Prize

Slamdance 2009 Awards are sponsored by Kodak, Panasonic, Gibson, Post Factory NY, Dos Equis, IndieRoad.net, InBaseline/Studio Systems, Filmworksfx, Pierce Law Group, LLP, Alpha Cine, Showbiz Software and Jungle Software.

Celebrating its 15th year, Slamdance continues to be the preeminent film festival whose sole mission is to nurture, support and showcase truly independent works, having established a unique reputation for premiering new films by first-time writers and directors working within the creative confines of limited budgets.

The 2009 Slamdance Film Festival is honored to be presented by Kodak. Major and Official Festival Sponsors include IndieRoad.net, host of the Slamdance/IndieRoad.net online streaming festival, the Directors Guild of America, Dos Equis, All Seasons Resorts, Colourmovie, CurrentTV, Discmakers, Dr. Martens, Jagermeister, Hint Water, Media Distributors, Michael Collins Whiskey, Monster Energy, OurStage, Panasonic, POM Wonderful, Real Ideas Studio, Spout.com and Technicolor.

All Slamdance Film Festival sponsors and partners help sustain and expand our festival event and provide essential support for our filmmakers and the independent mission of Slamdance.

For more information, behind-the scenes footage and/or a complete listing of winners, log on to www.slamdance.com.

***

Press Contacts:

Steven Zeller/Nubia Flores

GS Entertainment Marketing Group

323/860-0270

stevenzeller@gsemg.com

nubiaflores@gsemg.com

SLAMDANCE AND UPLOAD FILMS TO PRODUCE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS

2009-01-17T22:04:20Z

Slamdance, always looking for new and innovative ways to assist emerging artists and to contribute to the film community, has joined forces with Upload Films to annually produce a feature film based on that year's prize-winning entry from the Slamdance Screenplay Competition, it was jointly announced by Peter Baxter of Slamdance and Todd Williams at Upload Films. It is believed Slamdance is the only film festival to actively produce feature films that emanate from its competitions.

The first film is "Drool," written and directed by Nancy Kissam, which won the 2006 Screenplay Competition and will have its World Premiere next week at Slamdance. Additionally, Upload Films just signed an option agreement on "Numbered," written by Neil McGowan, the 2008 Grand Prize Winner in the Screenplay Competition.

"It is a priority for the Slamdance writing competitions to offer our winning writers production deals and/or employment in the industry," said Baxter. "Our partnership with Upload Films is an exciting opportunity for the writers and Slamdance."

"Drool" stars Laura Harring, Jill Marie Jones and Oded Fehr. It's the story of an abused wife's plan to escape her husband that goes awry when she accidentally kills him, causing her to split on a cross-country drive with her family and his corpse in tow.

"Slamdance has always been a home for original and distinctive voices and our collaboration with the screenplay competition and Peter Baxter on 'Drool' has exceeded all our expectations," said Williams. "Nancy Kissam is a sharp and exciting new voice in film, and we very much look forward to the film's world premiere at this year's festival. Upload and Slamdance have both always prided themselves on presenting voices that are challenging yet commercial at the same time, and we look forward to our upcoming collaboration on 'Numbered' following that path."

Slamdance actually has four distinct writing competitions. Besides the feature screenplay competition, there is the Short Screenplay Competition, sponsored by the $99 Special production project; Teleplay Competition, sponsored by The Greif Company and ACT III Productions; and the Horror Screenplay Competition.

"This is a great opportunity for Slamdance and its writers," said Joy Saez, the Festival's Director of Writing Competitions. "With Upload Films providing the expertise, know-how and necessary financing for guaranteeing our screenplay winners becoming films, it ties the writing competition even more closely with the Festival, ensuring that Slamdance continues its long standing mandate of developing and showcasing feature works."

In 2006, Todd Williams, John Portnoy, and Nick Thurlow founded Upload Films in order to provide a new home for filmmaker-based projects that expand the vocabulary of independent film. Combining production, finishing funds, and post-production services under one roof, Upload both develops its own projects and team up with other producers to bring engaging films with strong visions to the screen. Upload's films have included the Spirit Award nominated "Shotgun Stories," which has been featured on numerous top 10 lists for 2008, as well as Peace Arch's release "The Babysitters," starring John Leguizamo. In addition to "Drool," Upload is involved with four other 2009 theatrical releases, including the thriller "Print," starring Gabrielle Carteris and Will Rothaar, and the courtroom drama "The Thacker Case," starring Eliza Dushku and Gabriel Mann.

"Without the help of Slamdance and Upload films I would not have been able to see my hopes come to fruition," said Nancy Kissam.

"Only two months ago, I was writing blindly, so to speak," said Neil McGowan. "I was doing what I loved to do, but doing it primarily for myself with no real hope that anything I happened to be working on would ever really be enjoyed by anyone but myself, and with no actual idea if what I was writing was any good at all. Then I won Slamdance, and in an instant, I attained not only a belief in myself, but also a sudden legitimacy in the profession I want to pursue. In no time, I was making a deal with Upload Films for an option agreement and possible production, and it seems reasonable that literary representation is in the cards. Winning this contest is, in so many words, the beginning of my career."

2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the Slamdance Film Festival, one of the few remaining movie showcases whose sole mission is to nurture, support and introduce truly independent works from first-time filmmakers. This celebratory year takes place in Park City, Utah, January 15 - 23 and will screen about 100 films in total in all genres. However, in what is one of the toughest and most-aggressive competitions among festivals, only 20 features in the narrative and documentary feature categories combined screen in the main competition, which is strictly devoted to films without domestic theatrical distribution and budgets under $1 million, from first-time feature directors.

As it does every year, Slamdance will run concurrently with the Sundance Film Festival. Slamdance and the box office will be headquartered and films will screen at the Treasure Mountain Inn, 255 Main Street, the Festival's headquarters since 1998. For more information, a complete listing of films in the Festival or additional news on the Slamdance Underground Music vs. Film Tour, visit www.slamdance.com <http://www.slamdance.com/> or call 323/466-1786.

SLAMDANCE REJOICES IN INDEPENDENT MUSIC

2008-12-30T20:58:45Z

While best known for its annual film festival, Slamdance will now also serve as a year-round showcase for the discovery of new and emerging musical talent. To launch its celebratory 15th year anniversary, Slamdance is excited to bring the new element of independent music into the fold.

The Slamdance Underground Music vs. Film Tour presented by OurStage and Dr. Martens kicks off in Brooklyn on New Year’s Eve and will continue cross-country representing the annual film festival and its commitment to independent artists in all mediums. Highlighted mid-tour are three performances in Park City, including the January 15th Housewarming Party at the Star Bar which starts up the 2009 Festival.

Balancing out the underground music presented by headliners Pseudo Slang and The Woes, which is focused on intellectual, chilled out hip hop and experimental blues, will be a surprise selection of Slamdance short films from throughout the festival’s history.

“Slamdance loves getting out there and mingling with the people, and our rich history of music at the festival – including past performances by Moby, Perry Farrell, Sheryl Crow and The Roots – has shown us that music and film are the perfect combination,” said Drea Clark, Slamdance’s Executive Director. “We also really wanted to spread Slamdance’s unique flair to different parts of the country, as we’ve long been about so much more than just films. Getting on the road to meet festival supporters, hand out copies of the last 10 years of shorts compilation DVDs, and interact with budding filmmakers and up-and-coming musicians seems like the perfect way to kick off our next 15 years.”

The 2009 Slamdance Underground Tour is proud to be presented by OurStage and Dr. Martens, who have partnered with Slamdance to help showcase the best in independent music and film to alternative artists across the country.

OurStage is a music discovery destination dedicated to new artist and new music discovery. On OurStage, artists, fans and industry professionals all come together to discover, judge, & enjoy the best new music and the best new artists online as ranked by the fans. Users are able to discover top ranked, categorized music without having to search through thousands of songs. OurStage is the perfect place for tomorrow's big filmmakers to find today's best independent music.

Pseudo Slang (Emcee Sick, Tone Atlas) signed with Fat Beats Records in 2005 after having independently released their Catalogue compilation with Baby Steps Hip Hop in 2004. Following extensive tours of the US, Canada and Denmark, Pseudo Slang is finalizing the recording of their debut album, "We'll Keep Looking" which features Vinia Mojica, Grap Luva, DJ Cutler, DJ Tommee, Third and more. The lead single "Broke & Copasetic," which features Vinia Mojica is currently released and available online and in stores.

The music of The Woes is a stew of Delta blues and early Country, of bluegrass and New Orleans marching band music, dished out by banjo, harmonica, accordion, French Horn and organ. The five-piece hails from New York City. In addition to finishing “That Coke Oven March”, their first full length album, they are also at work on film music for Spirit of '79, a documentary about the American agricultural movement. The documentary is being made by Keith Maitland for Illegalfilms and features interviews with, and songs by Willie Nelson and Arlo Guthrie.

The Slamdance Underground Music vs. Film Tour presented by OurStage and Dr. Martens schedule is as follows:

Dec 31 2008, 8pm at Goodbye Blue Monday in Brooklyn, New York
Jan 1 2009,    8pm at Valentine’s w/ Bryan Thomas in Albany, New York
Jan 2 2009,    8pm at Wright Gallery Records in Kingston, New York
Jan 3 2009,    9pm at Soundlab in Buffalo, New York
Jan 4 2009,    9pm at Howler’s Coyote Café in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jan 5 2009,    8:30pm at Cleveland Agora in Cleveland, Ohio
Jan 7 2009,    8pm at The Elbow Room w/ Jen Sygit and Sam Corbin in Ypsilanti, MI
Jan 8 2009,    8pm at Quenchers in Chicago, Illinois
Jan 9 2009,    8pm at Y Not III in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jan 10 2009, 8pm at The Jackpot Saloon in Lawrence, Kansas
Jan 15 2009, 10pm at Star Bar for Slamdance Housewarming Party in Park City, Utah
Jan 16 2009, 5pm at Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah
Jan 17 2009, 5pm at Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah
Jan 20 2009, 8pm at Burts Tiki Lounge in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jan 23 2009, 8pm at Scoot Inn in Austin, Texas
Jan 25 2009, 8pm at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta, Georgia
Jan 26 2009, 8pm at The Garage at Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina
Jan 27 2009, 8pm at JJ’s Bohemia in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Jan 28 2009, 10pm at Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City, Tennessee

2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the Slamdance Film Festival, one of the few remaining movie showcases whose sole mission is to nurture, support and introduce truly independent works from first-time filmmakers. This celebratory year takes place in Park City, Utah, January 15 – 23 and will screen about 100 films in total in all genres. However, in what is one of the toughest and most-aggressive competitions among festivals, only 20 features in the narrative and documentary feature categories combined screen in the main competition, which is strictly devoted to films without domestic theatrical distribution and budgets under $1 million, from first-time feature directors.

As it does every year, Slamdance will run concurrently with the Sundance Film Festival. Slamdance and the box office will be headquartered and films will screen at the Treasure Mountain Inn, 255 Main Street, the Festival’s headquarters since 1998. For more information, a complete listing of films in the Festival or additional news on the Slamdance Underground Music vs. Film Tour , visit www.slamdance.com or call 323/466-1786.

***
Press Contacts:
Steven Zeller/Nubia Flores
GS Entertainment Marketing Group
323/860-0270
stevenzeller@gsemg.com
nubiaflores@gsemg.com