I usually begin these type of "Sundance Institute" updates by stating that these are the future names to watch out for on the indie film scene or in future editions of the festival, but the truth of the matter is, this year's batch of twelve are names we already mention on this site. Filmmakers such as Craig Zobel and Cherien Dabis are returning with their latest screenplays-in-progress and folks such as Lance Weiler, Sean Durkin (producer of Afterschool) and Edwin (multiple fest winner Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly) are making this an 2010 group to watch out for.
One look at the filmmaker names below, and it appears as if the Sundance alumni have come out in droves. We find a known variety of filmmakers such as Spike Jonze (Being John Malcovich), Ira Sachs (Married Life), Nicholas Jasenovec (Paper Hearts), James Franco and the Zellner bros. who have dabbled this year in the short form while working in between their feature film projects.
Tons of Park City alumni are bringing their latest films, but I'm a bit surprised that March-pegged releases of The Weinstein's All Good Things and Focus Features' Greenberg aren't getting a Park City push. Instead, as expected, Sony Pictures Classics will show up and they get to showcase Get Low and A Prophet (Spotlight section) once again, and they'll preem Holofcener's Please Give. Overture will introduce Philip Seymour Hoffman's directing debut (Jack Goes Boating) and Fox Searchlight will preem Duplass Bros.' untitled comedy, which I'm calling Center of Attention - because its a great title considering the subject matter.
I can't say that I was itching to see this fantasy fish tale, Neil Jordan is a hit and miss director in my books, but then I learned who the cinematographer was. I look forward in seeing how Christopher Doyle and Neil Jordan partnership will work with all things Irish.