There was a fleeting moment in the early and mid-00s when being selected for the Slamdance Film Festival could mean something for a filmmaker’s career. Sure, it wasn’t the same as being part of the more prestigious and larger Park City, Utah film festival, but the edgier offshoot event gave a voice to independent films that didn’t have an industry connection or agency influence to make the Sundance cut. That influence has waned over the last few decades, and the festival has decided to make a change.

Continue reading Slamdance Film Festival Is Moving To Los Angeles at The Playlist.

The year is 1995, and you’ve submitted your film to the Sundance Film Festival, and they’ve said no. What do you do? Are you disappointed? Yes. Do you feel lost or defeated? Maybe. Do you give up? No. That is the origin story of the Slamdance Film Festival, which happens every year in Park City, Utah, at the same time as the Sundance Film Festival. Unwilling to take “no” for an answer, Dan Mirvish, Jon Fitzgerald, Shane Kuhn, Peter Baxter, and Paul Rachman created the Slamdance Festival to give independent filmmakers a voice. 

Continue reading ‘Mad Cats’ Trailer: Director Reiki Tsuno Says “No More Depressing Films” & Tries To Supercharge Japanese Cinema [Slamdance Exclusive] at The Playlist.

For many, the idea of traveling to another country is fun and exciting. You just break out your camera, eat lots of good food, and interact with the locals, if you’re feeling adventurous. But that sort of attitude also discounts the very fact that foreigners can often be a disruptive force, interfering in the daily lives of locals while simultaneously treating them as some sort of spectacle. This is the exact relationship Kimi Takesue dissects in her upcoming documentary, “Onlookers.” 

READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2023

With “Onlookers” expecting to make its debut at next month’s Slamdance Film Festival, we’re excited to give our readers an exclusive look at the trailer for the visually-stunning documentary.

Continue reading ‘Onlookers’ Exclusive Trailer: Kimi Takesue’s Beautiful Documentary Debuts At Slamdance Next Month at The Playlist.

When you’ve let someone close to you down, and disappointed yourself in the process, the path to acceptance and re-establishing an emotional equilibrium can seem monumental. In a culture suffused with wellness mantras and self-care walkthroughs, glossy packaging and soft colors often don’t acknowledge that righting a wrong or taking the steps toward healing the scars inflicted by a mistake or lapse in judgment can feel overwhelming. Canadian filmmaker Heather Young taps into those nuances of the redemptive path in her debut feature “Murmur.” This finely-tuned, observational drama is a compelling portrait of a woman trying with quiet desperation to rebuild the fallen pieces of her life.

Continue reading ‘Murmur’ Gracefully Explores The Tough Road To Redemption [Slamdance Review] at The Playlist.

There is not now, nor is there likely ever to be, a shortage of films highlighting the awkward, confusing, and restrictive nature of teenage life. Whether it’s “The Breakfast Club” or “Ladybird”; it’s a well-covered topic spanning generations, locations, and cultures. In many ways, “Beats” is no different in this regard, yet the new Scottish film, executive produced by Slamdance alumni Steven Soderbergh, both incorporates as well as transcends the classic tropes of the genre to tap into a menacing undercurrent that lives just beneath the surface of these stories.

Continue reading ‘Beats’ Bangs Out a Familiar Tune With Perfect Grace & Style [Slamdance Review] at The Playlist.

Christmas parties are almost always terrible. And what makes the average holiday party even worse is when it’s full of old high school friends. Therefore, it makes sense that Margaret and Henry are ready to ditch that terrible scene and enter into a night of debauchery in the new film “Lost Holiday,” which is set to premiere at the upcoming Slamdance Film Festival.

READ MORE: Steven Soderbergh’s ‘High Flying Bird’ Premiering At Slamdance Before Hitting Netflix In February

And to honor the film’s upcoming debut, we’re lucky enough to present an exclusive clip from the film, which shows that the evening of craziness begins to bleed into the daytime for these folks as they attempt to solve the kidnapping of a socialite, while pretty hungover.

Continue reading ‘Lost Holiday’ Exclusive Clip: Slamdance Film Features Friends Attempting To Solve A Kidnapping After A Long Night Of Partying at The Playlist.

We’ve been wondering when Netflix was going to premiere the latest film from Steven Soderbergh, titled “High Flying Bird.” Outside of a plot description, word surrounding the film has been limited to the fact that Soderbergh finished the film a while ago and Netflix would get around to distributing it in 2019. But thanks to a new announcement from the Slamdance Film Festival, we not only know when select audiences will get a sneak preview of the film, but also when Netflix is releasing the film globally.

Continue reading Steven Soderbergh’s ‘High Flying Bird’ Premiering At Slamdance Before Hitting Netflix In February at The Playlist.

That sound you’re hearing is coming from Park City, where movies big and small continue to unspool at the Slamdance Film Festival. And one of the most intriguing entries in the festival this year is the closing night film, “Bernard And Huey,” and today we’re excited to debut an exclusive clip from the movie.

Penned by Jules Feiffer (“Carnal Knowledge,” “Popeye“), directed by Slamdance co-founder Dan Mirvish, and starring Jim Rash, David Koechner, Sasha Alexander, Eka Darville, Richard Kind, Lauren Miller Rogen, Nancy Travis, Bellamy Young, and Mae Whitman, the film follows two friends who are reunited after twenty-five years, with their lives as complicated as ever.

Continue reading ‘Bernard And Huey’ Clip: Mae Whitman Tells The Truth In Her Art [Slamdance Exclusive] at The Playlist.

The saying goes that best laid plans often go awry, at the simple idea goes to unexpected places in “Back At The Staircase.” The film from co-writer and director Drew Britton will make its World Premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival, where its knife edge tension will surely turn some heads.

Starring Jennifer Lafleur, Stephen Plunkett, Leonora Pitts, Mickey O’Hagan, Logan Lark, and Heather LaVine, the film brings together five unique individuals for a party, but their true selves emerge when one of them gets into an accident.

Continue reading ‘Back At The Staircase’ Trailer: Tensions Rise After An Accident [Slamdance Exclusive] at The Playlist.

The Sundance Film Festival is where next year’s awards contenders emerge, but the Slamdance Film Festival is where the next generation of bold cinematic voices take flight. Writer and director Wendy McColm is certainly one to keep an eye on, as her feature directorial debut “Birds Without Feathers” reveals a distinct voice behind the camera.

In addition to writing and directing the film, McColm stars as well, along with Lenae Day, Cooper Oznowicz, William Gabriel Greer, Sara Estefanos, and Alexander Stasko.

Continue reading ‘Birds Without Feathers’ Trailer: Fellini Meets Solondz Meets Lynch [Slamdance Exclusive] at The Playlist.

We all have our histories, but sometimes you meet people and their stories are simply incredible. The titular “Ingrid” is just such a person, and in the upcoming documentary which will make its World Premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival, we’re lucky enough to get to step inside her fascinating world.

Directed by Morrisa Maltz, “Ingrid” introduces audiences to a woman who left Germany, came to the United States, and now lives a life of solitude out in nature.

Continue reading ‘Ingrid’ Trailer: An Artist & Fashion Designer Escapes To Nature [Slamdance Exclusive] at The Playlist.

Don’t for a moment think that the Slamdance Film Festival is in the shadow of Sundance. The annual event is where tomorrow’s next great talent is unearthed and its the place for tiny gems to get the shine and attention they deserve. “Human Affairs” is just such a film, and it brings together an array of terrific names for an intimate drama.

Written and directed by Charlie Birns, starring Dominic Fumusa, Kerry Condon, David Harbour, and Julie Sokolowski, and shot by the great Sean Price Williams (“Good Time,” “Golden Exits,” “Heaven Knows What“), the story follows a young couple who use a surrogate to conceive a child, and complications that follow among the trio.

Continue reading ‘Human Affairs’ Clip: Step Into Lucinda’s World [Slamdance Exclusive] at The Playlist.

It’s not always easy to get noticed on the festival circuit with your debut feature film, but writer/director Pascal Plante is making waves with “Fake Tattoos.” The movie made a big splash this fall, winning Best Canadian Film at the 2017 Festival du Nouveau Cinema, and the industry paid attention. “Fake Tattoos” is getting ready to make its U.S. premiere at the upcoming Slamdance Film Festival, and after that, it will travel abroad to the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival for its European bow.

Continue reading ‘Fake Tattoos’ Trailer: Punk Rock & True Love Collide [Slamdance Exclusive] at The Playlist.

We meet again. Thanks again for tuning in to the latest episode of Indie Beat!

This one is particularly special as our guest is long time friend and collaborator Paul Taylor.

Paul and I met during our tenure at Long Island University. We made a number of films together with him acting as the cinematographer (“Bridges,” “The Winds That Scatter,” “Mohammad So-And-So,” “Incorrectional”) but for the podcast I mainly focused on Paul’s directorial work.

Continue reading Indie Beat With ‘Driftwood’ Director Paul Taylor [Podcast] at The Playlist.

It was hard enough to decode the intricacies of flirtation before the age of smartphones and social media, but now it can be near impossible to get the root of an emotional connection in a sea of emojis and selfies. And it’s that world that Canadian director Joyce Wong wants to explore in “Wexford Plaza,” making its North American Premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival.

Starring Reid Asselstine and Darrel Gamotin, and described as being in the spirit of Amy Schumer and Lena Dunham, the film follows Betty, whose misunderstanding of a sexual encounter leads to unexpected consequences.

Continue reading Slamdance Exclusive: Clip From ‘Wexford Plaza’ Sends Some Sexts at The Playlist.

Sometimes it’s nice to go to a bar where everybody knows your name, but being an outsider in that environment isn’t always easy. And that’s the perspective director Pete Gleeson takes in the documentary “Hotel Coolgardie” which, after screening at Hot Docs, Sydney Film Festival, New Zealand International Film Festival and many more, will make its U.S. debut at this month’s Slamdance Film Festival.

Continue reading Slamdance Exclusive: It’s A Tough Night At The Bar In Clip From Documentary ‘Hotel Coolgardie’ at The Playlist.

Invermere, British Columbia is three hours and change from Calgary, and it might not be the first place on your list to go if you’re attached to city living. But if you need somewhere to shake off the past and prepare for the future, then it might hold the key to sorting things out.

In Canadian director Jordan Canning‘s (“We Were Wolves“) newest film “Suck It Up,” she tracks the journey of two best friends, Ronnie (Grace Glowicki) and Faye (Erin Carter), who take a debaucherous journey into the mountains to cope with the loss of the man they both loved — Ronnie’s brother.

Continue reading Slamdance Exclusive: Hit The Road In Clip From ‘Suck It Up’ at The Playlist.

The Sundance Film Festival has all the A-list stars, genre hits, indie sensations, and potential Oscar breakouts, but it’s at the Slamdance Film Festival where some of the most exciting cinematic voices of the next generation first make their mark. Christopher Nolan, Marc Forster, Jared Hess, Benh Zeitlin, Lynn Shelton, and Lena Dunham all made early impressions at the fest, which brings us to Adrian Murray, who is hoping to join those prestigious alumni.

Continue reading Slamdance Exclusive: There’s Money In The Laundry In Clip From ‘Withdrawn’ at The Playlist.

Slamdance Review: Documentary 'Dead Hands Dig Deep' Tells The Haunting Tale Of A Heavy Metal Frontman

Continue reading Slamdance Review: Documentary ‘Dead Hands Dig Deep’ Tells The Haunting Tale Of A Heavy Metal Frontman at The Playlist.

Slamdance Exclusive: Say Grace With Clip From 'Neptune'

Continue reading Slamdance Exclusive: Say Grace With Clip From ‘Neptune’ at The Playlist.

Slamdance Film Festival Rounds Out Its 2016 Lineup

Continue reading Slamdance Film Festival Rounds Out Its 2016 Lineup at The Playlist.

Continue reading 2016 Slamdance Film Festival Unveils Narrative And Documentary Competition Lineup at The Playlist.

Slamdance Review: Thriller Tries To Hide The 'Body'

Continue reading Slamdance Review: Thriller Tries To Hide The ‘Body’ at The Playlist.

Slamdance Review: Ambition & Narcissism Duel In 'Diamond Tongues'

Continue reading Slamdance Review: Ambition & Narcissism Duel In ‘Diamond Tongues’ at The Playlist.

Slamdance Review: 'Spring Breakers' Star Ashley Benson Gets Hacked In 'Ratter'

Continue reading Slamdance Review: ‘Spring Breakers’ Star Ashley Benson Gets Hacked In ‘Ratter’ at The Playlist.