IFP Minnesota Partners with Sundance Institute on FREE Workshop
Registration Open for Sundance ShortsLab St. Paul, noon to 4 pm, April 28 at Schmidt Artist Lofts, St. Paul
Sundance Institute, host of the renowned Sundance Film Festival, has announced that it will host a free filmmaker workshop in St. Paul, supported by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. ShortsLab St. Paul, a half-day seminar focusing on narrative short-form storytelling, from noon to 4 pm on April 28 at Schmidt Artist Lofts, is one of only 5 taking place throughout the United States. It will offer filmmakers firsthand insight and advice into the world of story development, production, working with cast and crew, and how to get the most out of making a short film. Participants will hear from established independent filmmakers, including Eliza Hittman and Andrew Droz Palermo about their work and creative process.
IFP Minnesota members, other independent filmmakers, local students and film lovers are invited to attend this FREE event. Space is limited. Pre-registration is recommended.
Eliza Hittman is an award-winning filmmaker, born and based in New York City. Her critically acclaimed debut feature film IT FELT LIKE LOVEpremiered at the Sundance Film Festival in NEXT and the International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Tiger Competition in 2013. Her short film FOREVER'S GONNA START TONIGHT was on Indiewire's list of "the Best of the Best" at Sundance in 2011. She was recently named one of Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Indie Film and was nominated for a Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Gotham Award.
Andrew Droz Palermo's first feature film, RICH HILL, co-directed with his cousin, won the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. ONE & TWO, his narrative feature debut, debuted at the Berlinale in February. In addition to directing, Andrew has served as cinematographer on a of number features and short films including 6 YEARS, YOU'RE NEXT, A TEACHER, BLACK METAL, and THE GATHERING SQUALL.
ShortsLab St. Paul is part of Sundance Institute’s recently expanded efforts to connect with independent artists and audiences in regions across the country. Additional upcoming Sundance activities in Minnesota include Film Forward, a touring program designed for 18 to 25 year olds, students and artists that offers film screenings and discussions to excite and cultivate new audiences for independent film. It uses the power of cinema to promote broader cultural understanding, inspire curiosity and enhance awareness of shared stories and values across generations, religions, ethnicities and borders. Free screenings of acclaimed independent films Difret with producer Mehret Mandefro and Little White Lie with director Lacey Schwartz with moderated discussions, feedback sessions for emerging filmmakers and filmmaker reception will be offered in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Northfield, Minnesota April 29 through May 1. For a full schedule of the Film Forward events and venues visit the Institute's website.
Sundance Sundance Film Forward is an initiative of Sundance Institute and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Support for both ShortsLab St. Paul and the Film Forward events in Minnesota is provided by IFP Minnesota.