https://youtu.be/X-eTy6xjUZI Introduced by Taylor Miller, moderator and Slamdance Unstoppable cofounder Juliet Romeo sits down with actor Lolo Spencer and actor/Slamdance Unstoppable Cofounder Steve Way to discuss disability, accessibility, and activism, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and making it as an actor and filmmaker in an inaccessible industry. This panel was originally presented as part of the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival. Watch the full panel above or check out some highlights below. On navigating the pandemic with a disability. SW: It's been now 23 months since the last time I worked. I would really, really like to make some money soon. Because I can't keep coasting and, you know, I got bills to pay and I got my house. But you know, we live in this weird society that values work and productivity over the health of those workers. So yeah, while I obviously want to work, it's not the best idea not just for me but really anyone. On choosing disabled characters with humanity. LS: What I always desire when it comes to choosing roles is, "What is the humanity of this character?" first, before what you are able to see because I have a visible disability. I think it does start to create a narrative about disability lifestyle that people are not used to...
News From Nowhere
2022 Screenplay Competition Finalists
Slamdance is honored to have recognized the following writers at our 2022 Slamdance Screenplay Competition Awards on October 23rd at the Nuart Theatre. We received over 4,000 scripts this season, with writers from across the globe submitting their stories. These screenplays represent the top 0.28% of applicants and are divided into four submission categories (Feature, Horror, Pilot and Short). We'll see you in 2023!...
Landmark Theatres and Slamdance present THE CIVIL DEAD and 2022 Screenplay Awards on October 23rd
Sunday, October 23rd | 7:00 p.m. The Nuart Theatre Slamdance is delighted to return to in-person events with a special screening of our 2022 Audience Award-winner The Civil Dead on October 23rd, 2022. The screening will be preceded by the 2022 Slamdance Screenplay Awards and will conclude with a Q&A with filmmakers Clay Tatum and Whitmer Thomas. The Civil Dead follows a struggling misanthropic photographer who just wants to watch TV and eat candy while his wife is out of town. But when a desperate old pal resurfaces, his plans are thwarted with spooky consequences. This special screening is presented by Landmark Theatres and Slamdance. Tickets are $20 each and are available for purchase now. Buy Tickets Now...
Hidden Gems: Where To Shoot Your Next Film
By Ryan Broussard Production tax incentives may sound intimidating, but they can be a powerful resource for independent filmmakers. Our partners at Cast & Crew and Media Services have put together a list of five states to consider shooting in and what you need to know about their tax incentives. The world of production tax incentives can be very exciting and even more profitable, given you choose the right jurisdiction for your project’s creative and budgetary needs. Believe it or not, there are currently more than 40 different production incentive programs in place across the United States. While we commonly hear about the most popular or longest-running ones (like those in Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico, and now the very busy New Jersey), let’s not overlook the programs in lesser-known areas that may, in fact, be more profitable options for any given project. Here’s a look at five of the U.S.’ hidden gem states for production incentives: Alabama Tax Credit Type: Fully Refundable Credit (file a tax return, get a check back). Percentage: 25—35% Minimum Criteria: $500K Notable Projects: Get Out, Gerald’s Game, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things Alabama’s $20 million-funded program is often overlooked, as it runs between two popular southern states in Louisiana and Georgia. But Bama is no slouch! It has one...
How CreativeFuture Innovation Award-Winner Hannah Saidiner Animates Her Memories
The Slamdance Film Festival has long partnered with CreativeFuture to offer the CreativeFuture Innovation Award, a recognition of filmmakers whose work and innovative use of technology exemplify the spirit of filmmaking. The 2022 CreativeFuture Innovation Award winner is Hannah Saidiner, whose heartfelt animated documentary "My Parent, Neal" documented her parent's gender transition. CreativeFuture's JC Taylor sat down with Hannah for a discussion on her career and the animation process. Although another Slamdance Film Festival has come and gone, we are always awestruck by all the astonishing talent on display. This year’s short film candidates for the CreativeFuture Innovation Award featured mesmerizing imagery, heartfelt stories, and innovative styles. But what ultimately won our hearts this year was Hannah Saidiner’s My Parent, Neal – an emotional documentation of a parent’s transition to become who they really are. A look at the complex and loving relationship between a parent and their child, My Parent, Neal evokes the innocence of youth with its distinct visual style. For its creativity and incredible heart, it deserved the CreativeFuture Innovation Award. After Slamdance 2022, Saidiner spoke with CreativeFuture about her artistic roots, her creative process, and her plans for the future. JC TAYLOR: What have you been up to since Slamdance? HANNAH SAIDINER: I graduated last year, and right after that, I...
Unstoppable: An Open Dialogue on Captioning
How To Make Your Film Accessible to Audiences With Disabilities Courtesy of the Unstoppable Programming Team Since 2020, Slamdance’s Unstoppable program has showcased cutting-edge films made by and about individuals with disabilities. Slamdance currently requires captions for all Unstoppable submissions and encourages captions for submissions to other categories, which has prompted some questions about why, exactly, captioning is essential. Here, our team answers your questions about captioning and how to create the most inclusive film when submitting to festivals. First things first: What is captioning? Captioning is a text display of the spoken dialogue and other crucial audio information in the film. It is generally used for audiences who are hearing-impaired. It can also be helpful for viewers who speak a different language from the audio track on the production or who simply want to read what is being said while they watch. Why does Slamdance require captioning for Unstoppable submissions? Slamdance requires captioning for all Unstoppable submissions because some of our programmers are deaf or hard of hearing. We want every person with a disability to feel welcomed, included, and represented. Our program's motto is "For disabled filmmakers by disabled filmmakers.” We believe that inclusion of the disability community matters, and this starts with ensuring screeners are fully accessible to every member of the...
How Making a Doc About a Punk Band Taught Me To Be an Indie Filmmaker
Slamdance alum and programmer Chelsea Christer wrote this article about her experience with her film Bleeding Audio, which played as part of our 2021 festival. Originally written for No Film School, they have both been kind enough to allow us to host the article here. The idea for Bleeding Audio had been percolating for me since early 2014, when The Matches informed me of their intention to reunite for a single live performance for the first time in years. I offered to film promotional videos since I was a close friend and filmmaker, and I wanted to support them in any way I could. This band inspired me to pursue a creative living, which I was leading happily, and in my view, this was the least I could do in return. The Matches’ fans are extremely loyal. They had been long deprived of their beloved band and community, and there was no doubt that the vacuum The Matches left behind would be instantly filled. Sure enough, their “one show” sold out in seconds, and that single show turned into a sold-out North American and Australian tour, and I had the basis of what would be a really compelling feature-length music documentary. I pitched a feature-length film to the guys and was met with the same humility that...
When I Was You I Wish I Knew: Stepping Up Your Next Production
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICZXICI1S1k David Benavente (VP of Independent Sales & Production Incentives at Cast & Crew) and Ryan Broussard (VP of Sales & Production Incentives at Media Services) sat down with Slamdance alumni Chelsea Christer and Jessica Farrell to share their experience and advice for emerging filmmakers, covering an array of production topics including financing, tax incentives and more to help prepare you for your next project. Watch the full panel or check out some highlights below. On who to have on board when you start budgeting JF: I would say always think about how you want to collaborate. The first thing before you even jump to a line producer, production assistant, anything smaller in that realm, think about your above-the-line producer. This person is really going to be your mom. Producers help with budget, help pitch, get distribution. All the way from A to Z. It’s a big commitment so you need to collaborate with the right person and make sure they fit your project. RB: Accept that you don’t know everything and team up with people that know more than you and be OK with that. Our big philosophy is — with independents — small fish become big fish. On the paperwork to have in place as you build your team JF: Start with your...
Slamdance Stands With Ukraine
Help Slamdance Support Sunflower Network After helping filmmakers Thomas Swinburn and Jayden Stevens raise more than $6,000 for the Ukrainian cast and crew of the 2021 Slamdance film A Family, Slamdance is proud to now support Sunflower Network in its mission to support Ukrainians impacted by the ongoing crisis. Learn more about Sunflower Network and make a donation here. A Statement From Slamdance Alum Marcin Borchardt Dear Friends, As a filmmaker, I can not be deaf and blind in the face of war. That's why I started this private awakening campaign. I hope you know what is happening in Ukraine. Putin unleashed a criminal war, and suddenly, one day everything changed. I have a lot of Ukrainian friends, so what's going on right now is just heartbreaking. It's difficult for me to briefly describe what is happening in Poland where I’m now. The scale of helping and engaging everyone around is unprecedented and impressive. Nobody doubts that if Ukraine falls, Poland and the other Eastern European countries will be the next target. As a Slamdance alumn, I’m proud that I can spread the ideas of the festival. Our community's most important slogan is - filmmakers for filmmakers. Now, the time is right to act. Any help, any form of demonstration of solidarity is very important. Together we can do...
Announcing the Slamdance 2022 Award Winners
https://youtu.be/QxF4vzcgnUY Slamdance is delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival. The full festival is still available for on-demand streaming through 6 February with your $10 virtual pass. Watch now. Experimental Shorts Honorable Mention: Compositions for Understanding Relationships, directed by David De La Fuente Grand Jury Winner: Chameleon (A Visual Album), directed by Jaamil Olawale Kosoki & Ima Iduozee Animated Shorts Honorable Mention: Oldboy's Apples, directed by Brad Hock Grand Jury Winner: I'm Here, directed by Julia Orlik Documentary Shorts Honorable Mention: Walls Cannot Keep Us From Flying, directed by Jonathan Mehring Grand Jury Winner: The Ritual to Beauty, directed by Shenny de Los Angeles & Maria Marrone Narrative Shorts Honorable Mention: See You, Garbage! directed by Romain Dumont Grand Jury Winner: Ratking, directed by Eric Colonna CreativeFuture Innovation Award Winner: My Parent, Neal, directed by Hannah Saidiner George Starks Spirit of Slamdance Award Winner: Sasha Levinson, director of Sylvie of the Sunshine State Audience Awards Episodes: The Ember Knight Show: "Getting Mad" created by Ember Knight & Bobby McCoy Documentary Feature: Iron Family, directed by Patrick Longstreth Narrative Feature: The Civil Dead, directed by Clay Tatum & Whitmer Thomas AGBO Fellowship Winner: Ethan Eng, director of Therapy Dogs Unstoppable Honorable Mention: Selahy (My Weapon), directed by Alaa Zabara Grand Jury Winner: Straighten Up and Fly Right, directed by Kristen Abate & Steven Tanenbaum Breakout...
Slamdance ’22 Presents: Blockchain Fairy Tales
Slamdance '22 Presents: Blockchain Fairy Tales: What if Happily Ever After Is Not Guaranteed? Made by many and in collaboration with Columbia University's School of the Arts' Digital Storytelling Lab Those formerly known as the audience will become architects of the future in this collective storytelling event. We will explore a playful world, contend with magical threats, and face the question: What if Happily Ever After is Not Guaranteed? Together, we will create new myths that come to life on our screens. This experience is made by many co-creators, leveraging Blockchain technology for creative purposes beyond commerce. Blockchain Fairy Tales examines the core of crypto through a speculative lens, subverts the current value system of cryptocurrency and uplifts shared community values. What if our voices could be part of a social system that uses decentralization to challenge the most hierarchical systems we have? Event Information Blockchain Fairy Tales (BFT) will take place over Zoom and Miro (a collaborative whiteboard platform). A Zoom link will be sent to the email you registered with. Feel free to share the event page, but please do not share the Zoom link on social media. 1st Performance Saturday, January 29th 1 p.m. EST 2nd Performance Thursday, February 3rd 1 p.m. EST...
Announcing The Slamdance Channel, Slamdance’s New Anti-Algorithm Streaming Service
Slamdance will debut a new streaming platform for independent films, The Slamdance Channel, which will launch in conjunction with the annual indie-focused Slamdance Film Festival on January 27 and feature new programming on February 7, the day after the fest wraps. The Slamdance Channel expands the organization’s mission of providing creators with maximum opportunities to reach movie audiences. The streaming platform will have a curated selection of content that allows artists to gain more visibility and recognition for their work, as well as monetary compensation for their creative endeavors. Slamdance will actively support filmmakers on the platform by sharing any profits fairly among its contributing artist community. “Slamdance has always looked at ways to overcome industry gatekeepers that block independently made films from being accessible and the Slamdance Channel represents our biggest effort yet,” said Slamdance president and co-founder Peter Baxter. “We are an anti-algorithm, artist-led collective, continually hellbent on sharing original film work with a wider audience. We’re looking forward to seeing how our Channel develops and fits into the bigger picture of a decentralized media future.” Baxter continued, “The future of film, like any art form, depends on truly unique voices that defy simple classification and transcend analytics. We are celebrating these voices on the Channel who push the boundaries of what’s possible...
Introducing Slamdance 2022 Artwork by Jamie Wolfe
Jamie Wolfe is the key artist for the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival. About her new work, she says "the central figure came from making something that embodies the raw, eclectic energy of the festival." Jamie Wolfe is an animator and artist living and working in Los Angeles, California. You can learn more about Jamie and her work on Vimeo, Instagram, or on her website. The 2022 Slamdance Film Festival will stream 100+ independent films from January 27 to February 6 in an accessible, on-demand format. Preorder your $10 virtual pass now. ...
Slamdance Film Festival Omicron Update: Online Festival Dates
Slamdance Film Festival cancels in-person portion of its festival; Continues its virtual festival program, beginning January 27 Los Angeles–December 23, 2021 – Due to concerns around the Omicron variant, and for the safety of its staff, filmmakers, and audience, the Slamdance Film Festival will forgo the in-person portion of its hybrid event in Park City, which was scheduled to run January 20-23. Slamdance will continue its virtual festival program with an accessible and robust lineup of virtual screenings, events, and live Q&A’s running January 27-February 6, 2022. The January 27 start date is a week later than originally planned, which allows the festival team to transition many of the events that were planned for the physical edition to the online format. “Although we are disappointed that we won’t be able to participate in the communal, in-person experience, we know we can create a unique festival experience for all of our filmmakers through Slamdance’s online platform.” Said Peter Baxter, Slamdance President and Co-Founder. “We are looking forward to utilizing the expertise we've already gained in attracting a global audience, building upon our accessibility goals and pushing the boundaries of what a decentralized festival can be.” Pre-buy your all-access virtual pass today....
Slamdance Announces Full 2022 Lineup
28 features, 79 shorts, and 7 episodes will be showcased during the 28th edition, which returns to Park City with a hybrid festival The Festival also integrates technology and art with the launch of Blockchain Fairy Tales Project December 8, 2021 (Los Angeles, CA) - Slamdance Film Festival, the premiere film festival and organization “by filmmakers, for filmmakers,” today announced the full lineup for its 28th edition hybrid festival. Known for challenging the status quo, Slamdance and its artist-led community have long held a reputation for discovering talent, often overlooked by the mainstream, that go on to change the entertainment industry. In 2022, the festival returns to its original home in Park City, Utah for its physical festival January 20-23, 2022, bridged with an accessible and robust program of virtual screenings, running January 20-30, 2022. “We are anti-algorithm. That’s always been true, but it’s more urgent than ever as we continue to celebrate truly unique voices that defy simple classification and transcend analytics,” said Slamdance President and co-founder Peter Baxter. “This year our programmers gravitated towards films that embody the true DIY spirit of guerrilla filmmaking and push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling. The Slamdance team is honored to introduce everyone of these storytellers, who are changing the media narrative and elevating the...
2021 Screenplay Competition Results
2021 Slamdance Screenplay Awards | October 14th, 11 AM PT/2 PM PT Join Slamdance, the WGA, and hosts Daniel Casey and Jessica Sinyard in conversation on building their careers as screenwriters, as well as the impact of screenwriting competitions on their overall trajectory. We will also announce and celebrate the 2021 Slamdance Screenplay Competition Winners in Features, Horror/Thriller, TV Pilots, and Shorts categories, as well as the 2021 Screenplay Mentorship Award and the Grand Prize winner for Best Screenplay! This event was streamed live through Slamdance's Facebook page. Visit the event page to watch the recording of the ceremony....