FIRST EVER ALLIANCE FOR SUNDANCE CHANNEL AND SUNDANCE INSTITUTE WITH SHINE GROUP & LIVITY’S YOUNG PRODUCERS PROJECT
New York/London – 18 April 2012 – To celebrate the first-ever Sundance London film and music festival (26-29 April at The O2), Sundance Channel in Europe and Asia will feature new programming, including the television premieres of recently acquired titles from the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
Airing 5-6 May, the network’s exclusive coverage of Sundance London will be created by young aspiring producers, thanks to a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Sundance Channel and Sundance Institute, and the young producers programme recently established by Shine Group and youth agency Livity.
Robert Redford commented, “This is a continuation of our mission that began 30 years ago in the mountains of Utah. Independent film has since become one of the most exciting forums to showcase diverse voices and compelling stories. Sundance Channel continues to provide a platform for emerging talent. It’s also exciting that young artists will become involved in the first Sundance London festival and that their work will be seen on the network internationally.”
The network has acquired three films that premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, including: California Solo from U.S. writer/director Marshall Lewy and starring Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting); Brazil’s Father’s Chair (A Cadeira do Pai) from director Luciano Moura; and Greece’s L directed by Babis Makridis.
Additionally, Sundance Channel in collaboration with Sundance Institute have commissioned the newly established youth-run production unit set up by Shine Group and youth outreach agency Livity to produce selected highlights packages from around Sundance London that will be showcased internationally on the Channel throughout the weekend.
The commission marks the first for the as-yet-unnamed project which enables 10 young producers from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to become professional, independent creators through a one-year apprenticeship.
Bruce Tuchman, President of AMC/Sundance Channel Global, commented, “Sundance Channel’s
mission is to provide compelling, independent-minded entertainment to audiences across the globe. This extensive promotion to support new voices and outstanding creativity will enable viewers to experience the energy and excitement of Sundance London and the Sundance Film Festival in their own homes.”
Ben Hall, Managing Director of the Shine Group and Livity young producers scheme said, “We are delighted to be given the task of capturing all aspects of the inaugural Sundance London and to bring it to life for viewers of the Sundance Channel internationally. It is a wonderful first commercial commission for the team.”
Sundance London takes place 26 – 29 April at The O2, and will feature the UK premieres of films fresh from the 2012 Sundance Film Festival which took place in January in Park City, Utah. Daily live music performances, discussions, panels and other public events will round out the four-day festival.
About the Film
California Solo / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Marshall Lewy) – A former Britpop rocker has long settled for an unfettered life working on a farm outside of L.A. When he’s caught driving drunk and faces deportation, he must confront past and current demons in his life to stay in the country. Cast: Robert Carlyle, Alexia Rasmussen, Kathleen Wilhoite, A Martinez, Danny Masterson.
Father’s Chair (A Cadeira do Pai) / Brazil (Director: Luciano Moura, Screenwriters: Elena Soarez, Luciano Moura) – Following the trail of his runaway teen son, Theo confronts his own identity as a son, a father and a man along the way. Cast: Wagner Moura, Mariana Lima, Lima Duarte, Brás Antunes.
L / Greece (Director: Babis Makridis, Screenwriters: Efthimis Filippou, Babis Makridis) – A man lives in his car. His job is to locate and bring the finest honey to a 50-year-old man who is narcoleptic and cannot drive. A new driver shows up and the driver gets fired. The man’s life changes. Hefinds itabsurd that no one trusts him anymore. Cast: Aris Servetalis, Makis Papadimitriou, Lefteris Mathaios, Nota Tserniafski, Stavros Raptis.
About Sundance Channel
Dedicated to founder Robert Redford’s mission to celebrate creativity, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, imaginative and uncompromising, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of high-quality independent films, documentaries and original programs. In addition to being widely distributed throughout North America, Sundance Channel is available throughout Europe and Asia. Owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., Sundance Channel is a highly recognizable and magnetic brand that is available in HD and across multiple platforms.
About AMC Networks Inc.
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: AMCX) owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming origination and distribution company.
About Sundance Institute
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a global, nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in film and theater, and to supporting intercultural dialogue between artists and audiences. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to unite, inform and inspire, regardless of geo-political, social, religious or cultural differences. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. For more information about Sundance London go to Sundance-London.com.
Shine Group includes some of the most respected and prolific production companies in the worlds of scripted and non-scripted television, now numbering 26 across three continents and responsible some of the world’s best known and loved programmes. Shine Group companies include award-winning genre specialists such as UK-based Dragonfly (factual), Kudos (drama), and Princess Productions (entertainment) along with award-winning multi-genre producers Shine TV, and Metronome Film & Television, the Nordic region’s pre-eminent production group. Shine International, the group’s international distribution arm is responsible for the distribution of over 3000 hours of broadcast content annually. In the last two years the group has successfully established international companies Shine Germany, Shine France and Shine Australia and Shine Iberia. The group has recently enhanced its digital and direct to consumer credentials with the additions of social gaming specialists Bossa Studios and market-leading online broadcaster and original content producers, ChannelFlip.
About Livity
Livity is a socially responsible youth communications agency that works directly with young people every day to produce co-created campaigns and content for brands, broadcasters, charities and local and central government that achieve client objectives whilst improving the lives of young people. For more information, please visit www.livity.co.uk.