Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024

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SUNDANCE INSTITUTE X CHICAGO

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024! This groundbreaking cultural event included Midwest premieres of exciting films, insightful panel discussions on pivotal topics in the independent film industry, and exclusive presentations and master classes by Sundance Institute staff.

Thank you to all the Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 sponsors who made this event a success. And thank you to our partners and venues for their commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive event.

Keep exploring Chicago’s diverse film community and rich cinematic legacy with film festivals and events all year long.

Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024, photo by @tequilagraphics

Sundance Institute x Chicago FILM Premieres

Exclusive premieres programmed by the Sundance Institute

Luther: Never Too Much

Luther: Never Too Much chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso. Using a wealth of rarely seen archives, Vandross tells his own story with assistance from his closest friends and musical collaborators including Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson and Roberta Flack. The film relives the many stunning moments of Vandross’ Grammy® award-winning musical career, while exploring his personal life, health struggles, and a lifelong battle to earn the respect his music deserved.

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About the film

If you know, you know — there’s only one Luther. Acclaimed Festival alum Dawn Porter invites audiences on a musical journey into the life of the iconic Luther Vandross, the man with the soulful velvet voice. An archival tapestry of performances and recording sessions immerse us in his legendary musical talent as a singer, songwriter, and producer. Porter then goes beyond the spotlight to delve into the man behind the music — insights from musicians and friends alongside archival interviews with Luther himself reveal his humor, frustrations, loneliness, and unwavering dedication to his craft.

Luther: Never Too Much delivers a sensitive and jubilant celebration of Luther Vandross and his music that resonates with evocative power. Some will form newfound admiration for Luther, while others will be transported to moments when his timeless melodies were the soundtrack to their lives. Good luck not singing along and dancing in your seat.— Stephanie Owens, Sundance Film Festival

Credits

DIRECTOR(S)

DAWN PORTER

PRODUCERS

TRISH D CHETTY

Ged DOHERTY

Jamie FOXX

Datari TURNER

Leah SMITH

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

DAWN PORTER

ELI HOLZMAN

Aaron SAIDMAN

Tom MACKAY

Richard story

Jon PLATT

Brian MONACO

Colin FIRTH

David GOTTLIEB

Phil THORNTON

Edited By

Mark Fason

Additional Editor

Jessica Congdon

Music By

Robert Glasper

Supervising Producer

Amanda Goscinski

Line Producer

Adam Goldberg

Director of Photography

Bryan Gentry

Archival Producer

Julia Palermo

Associate Producer

Gabrielle BARLATIER

Year

2023

CATEGORY

Feature

Country

United States

Language)

English

Run Time

101 Min

Contact

Devan.schulte@sonymusic.com

Sugarcane

An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school ignites a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.

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About the film

Filmmakers Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie deliver a multilayered film that invites audiences to confront profound questions about morality and justice, and to bear witness to the lasting intergenerational legacy of trauma from the residential school system — including forced family separation, physical and sexual abuse, and the destruction of Native culture and language. Drawing on their backgrounds in activism and journalism — as well as NoiseCat’s own personal connection to the story and community — the filmmakers deftly weave together multiple strands to form this compelling, heartbreaking narrative. Demonstrating unparalleled humanity, compassion, and grace for the affected Indigenous communities in North America, their powerful documentary operates from a place of pure and total empathy. At the same time, NoiseCat and Kassie recognize the resilience of the survivors and their descendants, and their unflagging determination to seek answers to long-buried secrets. Ultimately, Sugarcane reminds us to respect the humanity in ourselves as well as in others.—Bobbi Broome, Sundance Film Festival

Land Acknowledgement: Honoring Chicago’s Indigenous Communities

We acknowledge that Chicago is situated on the unceded homelands of the Three Fires, or the Anishinaabe: the Odawa, the Ojibwe, and the Potawatomi people – and many other tribes – some whose names we know and others whose names we may never know.

Today, the Chicagoland area is home to many Native Americans representing over 100 tribal nations. Chicago is one of the largest and fastest growing urban Native American areas.
The Sundance Institute and the Chicago independent film and storytelling communities commit to uplifting Indigenous voices, films, narratives, and dialogues.

Please visit Native Land Digital at native-land.ca to research whose land you occupy and who your neighbors are. We invite you to join us in learning from, donating to, and supporting Indigenous groups.

Credits

DIRECTOR(S)

JULIAN BRAVE NOISECAT

EMILY KASSIE

PRODUCERS

EMILY KASSIE

KELLEN QUINN

Director of Photography

Cristopher Lamarca

Cinematographer

Emily Kassie

Editors

NATHAN PUNWAR

Maya Daisy Hawke

Composer

MALI OBOMSAWIN

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Bill Way

Elliott Whitton

Jenny Raskin

Geralyn White Dreyfous

Tegan Acton

Emma Pompetti

Grace Lay

Sumalee Montano

Sabrina Merage Naim

Douglas Choi

Adam & Melony Lewis

Meadow Fund

Janalee Cherneski & Ian Desai

David & Linda Cornfield

Maida Lynn

Robina Riccitiello

Co-Executive Producers

Meryl Metni

Jennifer Pelling

Year

2024

CATEGORY

Feature

Country

United States/Canada

Language)

English, Secwepemctsin

Run Time

107 Min

Contact

krquinn@gmail.com

A Different Man

Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.

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About the film

Writer-director Aaron Schimberg’s latest film is a surreal, singular tale of one man’s desire to self-actualize. Sebastian Stan is Edward, a man overcome by the reality of his appearance, intent on curing his alienation and transcending his self- and socially enforced artistic potential. Adam Pearson and Renate Reinsve carefully embody foils to Edward’s ambition, an artistic and philosophical juxtaposition of his, and our, conceits.

Through a haunting score and folkloric magical realism, a unique psychological thriller emerges. A stylish vision of the theatrical currents of New York stages a universe where reality and fiction blend in beautiful ways; where lies, expectations, and internal turmoil weave a man’s consequentially incipient senses of truth and becoming. A Different Man is a reflexive allegory for the modern tortured artist, a subversive, gothic fairytale that deftly begets obsession.—Cameron Asharian, Sundance Film Festival

Credits

DIRECTOR(S)

AARON SCHIMBERG

SCREENWRITER

AARON SCHIMBERG

PRODUCERS

CHRISTINE VACHON

VANESSA MCDONNELL

GABRIEL MAYERS

Principal Cast

Sebastian Stan

Renate Reinsve

Adam Pearson

Year

2023

CATEGORY

Feature

Country

United States

Language)

English

Run Time

112 Min

Contact

info@a24films.com

Your Monster

After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again after she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming Monster living in her closet. A fantastical and dark romantic comedy about falling in love with your inner rage.

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About the film

Filmmaker Caroline Lindy invites us into the wondrous and dazzling world of her debut feature, a genre-defying monster mash that’s equal parts twisted and romantic with a dash of musical whimsy. Melissa Barrera shines as Laura, capturing her ascent from pie-eating post-surgery doldrums to empowered theater stardom in which the sinister sides of herself are finally allowed to bubble freely to the surface. In Tommy Dewey, she finds a perfect match for her fantastical, unexpected monster — charming, witty, and dangerously likable. A welcome re-steering of the rom-com into darker realms, Your Monster encourages us all to liberate our inner demons.—Ana Souza, Sundance Film Festival

Credits

DIRECTOR(S)

CAROLINE LINDY

SCREENWRITER

CAROLINE LINDY

Producers

Kayla Foster

Shannon Reilly

Melanie Donkers

Kira Carstensen

Caroline Lindy

Principal Cast

MELISSA BARRERA

Tommy Dewey

Meghann Fahy

Edmund Donovan

Kayla Foster

Year

2024

CATEGORY

Feature

Country

United States

Language)

English

Run Time

102 Min

Company

Merman

Website

https://hellomerman.com/

Contact

mark@frankpublicity.com

Panel Discussions

Playing for Keeps: How Development Labs could be the investment that leads to local artistic sustainability

How can Chicago build a more robust infrastructure to support the creative development of its diverse storytellers and enable a sustained commitment to inclusive risk-taking projects? While Sundance Institute has been supporting new voices and the creative process for 40+ years, Chicago is widely seen as a collaborative training ground for talents who value authenticity above conventional measures of success. What can Chicago creatives and organizations learn from Sundance’s experience with development labs that could help establish Chicago a hub for more creative careers?

Panelists included Ilyse McKimmie (Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute), Angie Gaffney (Moderator, Producer, 521 Films), Elijah McKinnon (Co-Founder / Executive Director, OTV), Emily Kassie (Director/Producer/Cinematographer, Sugarcane), haydée souffrant (Manager of Filmmaker Programs, Kartemquin Films)

A Better Way? New Sustainable Models for Financing and Distribution: Dual Value, Philanthropy, and Social Impact

In the wake of Participant Media’s recent shuttering, the future viability of social impact projects of scale appears uncertain. This panel explored new hybrid approaches to financing and distribution that incorporate both monetary and social value. As philanthropic and impact investors seek new ways to promote change, could socially engaged independent film become a compelling investment opportunity?

Panelists included Adrienne Becker (Level Forward), Jason Matsumoto (Full Spectrum Features), Lauren Pabst (MacArthur Foundation), Jonah Zeiger (Moderator, Chicago Film Office), Gabriel Mayer (Producer, A Different Man and Head of Film, Killer Films).

Stronger Together: How festivals, art houses, and independent exhibitors are working together to revive and reinvent the theatrical experience in the post-pandemic era

It’s no secret that theatrical movie-going is facing unprecedented challenges from the rise of streaming, the pandemic, and the collapse of old models. In response, national and local alliances have fostered new levels of sector collaboration in which Chicago plays an increasingly key role. The Independent Exhibitors Conference (IND/EX) and Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF) are prime examples. This panel featured voices from Sundance Institute together with leaders from the national and local exhibition scene who are helping chart a future based on sector-wide collaboration.

Panelists included Eugene Hernandez (Director, Sundance Film Festival), Karen Cardarelli (Facets and Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals), Kate Markham (Managing Director, Art House Convergence) (moderator), Mimi Plauché (Artistic Director, Chicago International Film Festival), Caroline Lindy, (Writer/Director, Your Monster), Emelyn Stuart (CEO and Owner, Stuart Cinema & Café).

Sundance Institute Short Film Master Class

Presented by:

Sundance Film Festival Short Film Senior Programmer Mike Plante’s Master Class presentation discussed the art of the short film, how Sundance submissions work, and how to navigate the Festival process with your short.

Mike Plante has worked for the Sundance Film Festival since 2001, and is one of the programmers who selects the short films that the Festival plays from 12,000 submissions. He also books the Sundance Shorts Tour into art house movie theaters around the country.

Filmmakers Jason Park (BJ’s Mobile Gift Shop) and Jennifer Reeder (A Million Miles Away, Knives and Skin) spoke about making films in Chicago and using local resources from production to exhibition.

Sundance Institute Artist Programs Presentation:
Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sundance but Were Afraid to Ask

Presented by:

Ilyse McKimmie, Deputy Director for Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program spoke about the Institute’s year-round support of artists working in scripted features, documentary, and episodic formats. Guests also learned about Sundance Collab, the Institute’s digital space for artists to learn from experts as part of a global filmmaking community and gained insight into how to apply for Sundance Institute’s artist programs.

Ilyse McKimmie oversees the Directors and Screenwriters Labs and the Screenwriters Intensive, provides year-round creative and strategic support to alumni filmmakers, and plays a key role in the Producers and Episodic Programs. Films developed at the Labs during her tenure include Dìdi (弟弟), A Thousand and One, Aftersun, Nanny, The 40-Year-Old Version, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, The Farewell, Sorry to Bother You, We the Animals, Beach Rats, Swiss Army Man, Diary of a Teenage Girl, Fruitvale Station, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Pariah, Sin Nombre, Red Road, Me and You and Everyone We Know, Paradise Now, and Maria Full of Grace, among many others.

Joining Ilyse was writer, director, actor, and Chicago local McKenzie Chinn. McKenzie shared her experience as an alumna of the 2021 Screenwriters and Directors Labs with her in-development feature A Real One. Her proof-of-concept short of the same title won the Gold Hugo for Live Action Short Film at the 2023 Chicago International Film Festival.

SUSTAINABILITY at Sundance Institute x Chicago

Sundance Institute x Chicago is committed to acknowledging and improving the film industry’s impact on the environment by leading by example. We teamed up with EcoFixr, a Chicago-based Women’s Business Enterprise-certified group, to integrate eco-friendly best practices throughout the weekend’s events, including a thoughtful resource recovery plan.

These pioneering efforts set a new standard for film events, honoring the Sundance Institute’s 40+ year legacy of storytelling, celebrating Chicago’s independent filmmaking scene, and actively reducing the impact on our planet. These efforts are also laying the groundwork to be one of the first film presentations to earn the Environmental Media Association Green Seal.

About Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024

What is the Sundance Institute?

Founded by Robert Redford in 1981 with the mission of fostering new voices in independent storytelling, the nonprofit Sundance Institute is an iconic institution and a champion of independent filmmakers globally. Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 will bring the Institute to Chicago, providing an opportunity to celebrate Chicago’s creative community and sharing information from the Institute’s artist support programs to support emerging artists in the city.

Are there media resources for Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024?

See our press release for the latest details. For local media inquiries, please contact Stephen Crano or Madeline Long.