The Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute has announced 11 grants to support documentary and narrative feature films as part of a three year, $1.5 million initiative that focuses on projects with global cultural and social impact from innovative new storytellers. Sundance considers this initiative with Cinereach an extension of their ongoing programs geared toward nurturing emerging voices (including the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and Directors Lab). The grants are awarded to projects in various stages of development, production and post-production. A complete list of grant winners is below.
Yelling to the Sky – Post-production
Writer-director: Victoria Mahoney (Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Lab Fellow)
Producer: Diane Houslin (Sundance Institute Creative Producing Fellow)
In a distressed New York neighborhood, the younger of two mixed-race sisters navigates an identity between the known: a violent life of crime, and the unknown: a life of purpose and meaning.
Here – Post-production
Director: Braden King (Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Lab Fellow)
Writers: Braden King and Dani Valent
Producers: Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen
Cartographer Will Shepard hits the road for his latest job: to create a new, more accurate satellite survey of Armenia. During his assignment, he forms a bond with an Armenian expatriate and art photographer.
On the Ice – Production
Writer-director: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean (Sundance Institute Directors and
Screenwriters Lab Fellow)
Producers: Cara Marcous (Sundance Institute Creative Producing Fellow) and Lynette Howell
On the snow-covered arctic tundra, at the top of the world in Barrow, Alaska, two Iñuit teenagers try to get away with murder.
Postcards from the Zoo – Development
Co-writer-director: Edwin (Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab Fellow)
Co-writer: Daud Sumolang (Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab Fellow)
Producers: Meiske Taurisia, Lorna Tee
After being abandoned at a young age at the zoo, a young woman leaves her magical childhood behind to discover the world outside.
The Ruined Cast – Development
Writer-director: Dash Shaw (Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Fellow)
Producers: Howard Gertler, John Cameron Mitchell
Told with hand-drawn animation, a disconnected family is thrown into chaos when the scientist father loses the test subject of his experiment with appearance-altering technology.
Projects recently selected through the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program include:The Arizona Project (Working Title) – Development
Directors: Carlos Sandoval and Catherine Tambini
Reporting from the frontlines of the new battle for America’s soul, filmmakers Carlos Sandoval and Catherine Tambini follow the volatile, unfolding story of Arizona’s racially charged immigration law, Senate Bill 1070.
Untitled Margaret Brown Oil Spill Documentary – Development
Director: Margaret Brown
Margaret Brown’s new documentary is an investigation into the personal stories behind the tragic 2010 BP Oil Spill. The film uncovers how government and corporate interests respond in the wake of an environmental crisis, and the way this affects a region and culture so rooted in nature.
Untitled Documentary – Development
Director: Lauren Greenfield
This untitled cinema verite film by Lauren Greenfield is a portrait of an American family against the backdrop of the financial crisis.
Previously announced through the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program in December 2009:
25 to Life Director: Mike Brown
The Fire This Time Director: Blair Doroshwalther
Gasland Director: Josh Fox
[Synopses courtesy of Sundance Institute]
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
