SALT LAKE CITY – As the 2020 film awards season began on Wednesday with the announcement of the Golden Globe nominees, the Sundance Film Festival closed the first major event of the new film year.
The awards for the 2021 Sundance Festival were presented on Tuesday night. The festival, which took place practically online for the first time, started on Thursday and ends today.
The winners of this year’s Grand Jury Prize for Sundance were “CODA,” which won the largest prize in the US drama competition, “Summer of the Soul (… Or, when the revolution could not be televised)” in the American documentary competition ”. Hive “in the World Cinema Dramatic competition and” Flee “in the World Cinema Documentary competition.
“This was not a ‘virtual’ festival, it was a real festival, and the power of these artists and their work has done so,” Sundance Film Festival director Tabitha Jackson said in a press release on Tuesday. . “It has been a privilege to help this work meet a new audience and enter the culture with such fanfare, especially now that breaking the noise is more difficult than ever.”
“CODA”, “Summer of Soul” and “Hive” also won audience awards, as well as the Indian documentary “Writing With Fire” and the drama “Ma Belle, My Beauty”. The full list of awards can be found at this link.
In addition to all the awards, “CODA” also brought home the bacon – Apple’s $ 25 million purchase shattered the previous record for Sundance’s largest offering. This was previously supported by Andy Samberg’s comedy “Palm Springs”, which was sold to Neon and Hulu at last year’s festival for $ 22 million.
Sundance Institute CEO Keri Putnam also supported the creative work presented at this year’s film festival.
“Watching people come together to connect and discuss an interesting new work has been incredibly rewarding – and a resounding confirmation that an excellent independent story inspires rich conversations,” Putnam said.
Here’s a look at the other Sundance reported deals this year so far.
“Ailey”
Distributor Neon picked up the documentary “Ailey,” which is about dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, for an undisclosed amount, according to the Hollywood Reporter. It is directed by Jamila Wignot.
“CODE”
“CODA”, Sian Heder’s drama about a deaf adult child, who is the only auditor member of his family, sought a record $ 25 million at Sundance, according to Variety. Apple Studios won the rights to distribute the film after a bidding war between other major distributors, Variety reported.
Cryptozoo
Dash Shaw’s eclectic adult animated film has been sold to Magnolia Pictures, according to Variety. The film follows two lovers heading to the forest for a date, coming across a park full of fantastic creatures. Features vocal interpretation from Lake Bell, Michael Cera and Zoe Kazan.
“Run away”
Neon’s second Sundance pickup this year is the animated documentary “Flee.” It was sold to Neon in partnership with Participant for a seven-digit transaction, according to Deadline. Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, “Flee” documents the story of the persecution and escape of an Afghan refugee.
‘Jockey’
Clifton Collins Jr. won a special Sundance Jury Award for Best Actor for “Jockey,” which sold to Sony Pictures Classics, according to Deadline. Collins plays an aged rider who reconciles with his deteriorating health when he meets a novice rider who claims to be his long-lost son.
“Play with sharks”
National Geographic Documentary Films has purchased distribution rights for the documentary “Playing With Sharks,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film stars Australian conservator and director Valerie Taylor.
‘Superior’
Visit Films has acquired the right to distribute “Superior” neo-noir, which features two twin sisters who meet in mysterious circumstances, according to Screen Daily.
Offers completed before the start of the festival
- “A Glitch In The Matrix”: Magnolia Pictures has announced that it has acquired the documentary, which examines simulation theory, at the end of last year, according to The Wrap.
- “The most beautiful boy in the world”: Juno Films has acquired distribution rights in North America for this documentary, Deadline reported. The film documents the life of former children’s star Björn Andrésen.
- “Ghost Land Prisoners”: RLJE Films will release the crazy action film Nicolas Cage, according to The Wrap. The distributor previously released the titles of the art house “Mandy” and “Color Out Of Space”, which both presented to Cage.
- “Together Together”: Bleecker Street has acquired distribution rights for the comedy, starring Ed Helms and Patti Harrison, according to Variety.
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Jacob Klopfenstein