As I mentioned on the day that Geoffrey Gilmore moved East to Tribeca, I doubt whether there would have been a better candidate to take over the “second in command” spot. Accepting the post which basically allows him to flex a bit more muscle in the final programming and the overall direction of the festival, the Sundance Institute announced that John Cooper becomes the Sundance Film Festival’s Director. Known for bringing in “diversity” (I heard him say that word well over 40 times during my 2009 coverage), the press note below demonstrates just how pro-active he has been since his start in 1989.
He has pioneered the Institute’s expansion of cinematic storytelling by fostering the development of New Frontier on Main, the intersection of contemporary artists with technology and the moving image; boosted the Festival’s now content-rich website, enabling a virtual Festival experience for film lovers all over the world; and led the distribution of short films through strategic relationships with iTunes, Netflix and Xbox 360 platforms. Last year Mr. Cooper was instrumental in engaging Blue State Digital, architects of President Obama’s groundbreaking online campaign, to connect with the Institute’s film and theater alumni, enhancing donor communication, and the recruitment of new Institute and Festival supporters. In addition to programming the popular Sundance Institute at BAM series, since 2005 Mr. Cooper has spearheaded The Sundance Institute Art House Project, a national initiative of 18 art houses from across the country designed to connect regional audiences to the Sundance’s films and filmmakers.
