Because the Dramatic Main Competition category can only hold so many titles, the Spectrum becomes a second option for Sundance staff to include some more dramatic fair. 12 of the 16 selected are world premieres (I caught Johnny Mad Dog at Cannes and missed out on Lymelife at TIFF) from returnee directors such as Sterlin Harjo, Jeff Lipsky and Bobcat Goldthwait.
Chances are better than average when you workshop a screenplay at the one of Sundance's yearly director and screen writing labs that eventually things...