2014 Sundance Film Festival Predictions: Yance Ford’s Strong Island

As we come close to concluding our list of Sundance predictions for ’14, it’s worth pointing out just how indispensable the backing of organizations such as the Sundance Institute, Cinereach, IDFA Forum, countless other documentary organizations (and we include Filmmaker Magazine here as well) in their efforts to assure the quality, originality, survival and success of docu films from docu filmmaker of the old and new guard. All of the above represents the kind of love that Yance Ford’s Strong Island has received over the years. Ford who has been kept busy with her day job as the Series Producer of POV (we heart PBS and obviously this channel) received some coin from Sundance back in 2012 and we think that it has a good chance at breaking the ’14 line-up.

Gist: In April 1992, William Ford, a black 24-year-old teacher argued with a white 19-year-old mechanic about the quality of a repair job. This common scenario turned deadly when the mechanic retrieved a .22 caliber rifle from the shop office and shot Ford once in the chest. Though he was unarmed, the mechanic claimed self-defense. When a Grand Jury decided not to pursue charges, his killer returned to his life and his family retreated into a devastating silence. Now, nearly 20 years after her brother’s death, director Yance Ford is asking questions.

Production Co./Producers: Thatgrl Productions’ Esther Robinson (The Canal Street Madam)

Prediction: U.S. Documentary Competition

U.S. Distributor: Rights Available

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