SALT LAKE CITY – As the 2020 movie awards season kicked off on Wednesday with the announcement of Golden Globe nominees, the Sundance Film Festival also concluded the first major event of the new film year.
Awards for the 2021 Sundance Festival were handed out Tuesday night. The festival, which was virtually held online for the first time, began Thursday and ends today.
The Grand Jury Prize winners for this year’s Sundance were ‘CODA’, which won the top prize in the American Dramatic Competition, ‘Summer of Soul (… Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’, in American Documentary Competition, Hive ‘in the World Cup Dramatic Competition and’ Flight ‘in the World Cup Documentary Competition.
“It was not a ‘virtual’ festival, it was a real festival and the power of these artists and their work was what made it so,” Tabitha Jackson, director of Sundance Film Festival, said in a news release on Tuesday. said. “It was a privilege to help this work meet new audiences and enter the culture with such fanfare, especially now, when it’s harder than ever to break through the noise.”
“CODA”, “Summer of Soul” and “Hive” also took home 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 acquisition of the film shattered the previous record for the largest deal from Sundance. It was previously held by the comedy “Palm Springs” by Andy Samberg, which was sold to Neon and Hulu for an estimated $ 22 million during last year’s festival.
Sundance Institute CEO Keri Putnam also boasts of the creative work on display during this year’s film festival.
“Watching people gather to connect and discuss new exciting work has been incredibly rewarding – and a resounding confirmation that great independent storytelling inspires a rich conversation,” Putnam said.
Here’s a look at the rest of the deals reported so far this year from Sundance.
‘Ailey’
Distributor Neon picked up the documentary “Ailey,” about dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, for an undisclosed amount, according to the Hollywood Reporter. It is directed by Jamila Wignot.
‘CODA’
‘CODA’, Sian Heder’s drama about a child of deaf adults who is the only hearing member of her family, reached a record $ 25 million at Sundance, according to Variety. Apple Studios was given the right to distribute the film after a bidding war between several other major distributors, reports Variety.
‘Cryptozoo’
Dash Shaw’s eclectic adult animated film was sold to Magnolia Pictures, according to Variety. The film follows two lovers who leave for the forest for an appointment while encountering a park full of fantasy creatures. It features voice recordings of Lake Bell, Michael Cera and Zoe Kazan.
‘Flight’
Neon’s second pickup of this year’s Sundance is the animated documentary “Flight.” According to Deadline, it was sold in partnership with a participant in Neon for a seven-digit deal. Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, ‘Flight’ documents a story of the Afghan refugee about persecution and escape.
‘Jockey’
Clifton Collins Jr. has earned a special jury award for Sundance, according to the Deadline, for Best Actor for ‘Jockey’, which was sold to Sony Pictures Classics. Collins plays an older horse rider who reconciles with his deteriorating health when he encounters a rookie who claims to be his prodigal son.
‘Play with sharks’
According to National Reporter, National Geographic Documentary Films has purchased distribution rights to the documentary “Playing With Sharks.” Australian conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor is seen in the movie.
‘Better’
According to Screen Daily, Visit Films has acquired the rights to distribute the neo-noir “Superior”, with two twin sisters meeting under mysterious circumstances.
Offers completed before the festival starts
- “A Glitch In The Matrix”: Magnolia Pictures announced that it had acquired the documentary, which examines simulation theory, late last year, according to The Wrap.
- “The Most Beautiful Boy in the World”: Juno Films acquired North American distribution rights for this documentary, reports Deadline. The film documents the life of former child actor Björn Andrésen.
- “Prisoners of the Ghostland”: According to The Wrap, RLJE Films will be releasing the very Nicolas Cage action. The distributor previously released the art house titles “Mandy” and “Color Out of Space,” both of which also feature Cage.
- “Together Together”: Bleecker Street acquired distribution rights for the comedy, starring Ed Helms and Patti Harrison, according to Variety.
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Jacob Klopfenstein