Eric Lavallée

Previously, I had mentioned that there is always an Aussie film in the Sundance line-up, but I'm thinking that this debut might stand a better chance at locking the 2011 spot. A Filmmaker Magazine Top 25 New Face who saw her debut script make it on the annual Black List of 2008, if novelist Julia Leigh does come to Sundance packing Sleeping Beauty, she might join David Michod as the next breakout filmmaker from down under.

I distinctly remember George Ratliff's Joshua being a well-received buyer title in Park City. Currently in post-production, Ratliff might make it two for two with what appears to be a high value title for pick-up. Salvation Boulevard which packs several Sundance alumni in Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Marisa Tomei, Isabelle Fuhrman, Greg Kinnear and Jim Gaffigan, should be in the cards for the fest, that's if Sundance don't have a problem with the anti-church wave of films where, this, Farmiga's Higher Ground and Kevin Smith's film might form an unlikely thematic trio.

A 4 million dollar indie horror thriller, with not much dialogue that takes a controversial stab at religion and that includes players such as Kyle Gallner, John Goodman and Michael Angarano certainly sounds like the type of film that would play at a fest like Sundance. And while Kevin Smith's Clerks might be synonymous with the fest, it's been a long time since he has made a film that a programmer might roll out an invite for. Red State is ready for Sundance but is Sundance ready for Kevin Smith? If so, this would be the highlight of the Midnight in Park City section.

From The Blair Witch Project to The Freebie, actor Joshua Leonard has been a much appreciated presence in Park City. There is no other place on the fest circuit where we could imagine seeing him unveil his feature narrative directorial debut. With filming having been completed almost one year to the date, and populated with Sundance folk in Jess Weixler, Mark Webber, Kelli Garner and Jane Adams, I expect Leonard had ample time to prep The Lie for a fest premiere.

Lifelong cynics will most certainly love the plan that Fox Searchlight just hatched. Call this a marriage made in dark comedy heaven, names Alexander Payne and Dan Clowes are being mentioned in the same sentence as Searchlight appears to be giving Payne a vote of confidence once again by looking to move him from The Descendants to Wilson -- the Dan Clowes graphic novel. Payne's Ad Hominem will produce with Josh Donen, on behalf of Sam Raimi's Stars Road.