Releases
Projects Supported by San Francisco Film Society's Filmmaker360 to Premiere at 2013 Sundance Film Festival
'American Promise,' 'Cutie and the Boxer,' 'Fruitvale,' 'Inequality for All' and 'Narco Cultura' to Screen in Competition at One of the Nation’s Most Important Events for Indie Film
11/28/2012
Five films that have received support from the San Francisco Film Society’s Filmmaker360 program will have their world premieres at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, it was announced today in Park City, Utah. As the festival made its first round of program announcements for its January event, it was revealed that Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale will screen in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, and Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson’s American Promise, Zachary Heinzerling’s Cutie and the Boxer, Jacob Kornbluth’s Inequality for All and Shaul Schwarz’s Narco Cultura will screen in the U.S. Documentary Competition. Funded by San Francisco Film Society grants and incubated with the support of various Filmmaker360 programs, these hard-hitting films are poised to make a splash on the country’s biggest stage for independent film.
"Finding out that these fantastic films that we’ve supported are going to get their introduction to the world at Sundance is incredibly exciting,” said Michele Turnure-Salleo, director of Filmmaker360. “We’ve gotten to know these filmmakers and their projects very well and helped them put the pieces together to tell these compelling stories, so it’s immensely satisfying to see them getting the start they deserve. It has been quite a ride this last year since the Sundance premiere of Beasts of the Southern Wild, which we also supported, and we’re eager to get on that rollercoaster once again."
Filmmaker360, the Film Society’s filmmaker support program, offers unparalleled assistance and opportunities designed to foster creativity and further the careers of independent filmmakers nationwide and oversees one of the largest film grant programs in the country, which disperses nearly $1 million annually to incubate and support innovative and exceptional films. Other services offered by Filmmaker360 include project development and fiscal sponsorship, FilmHouse residencies offering free office space to filmmakers in any stage of production, Off the Page script workshops, and professional development classes. For more information visit sffs.org/filmmaker360.
The Film Society will announce the next round of FilmHouse residents, whose residencies will begin in the spring of 2013, on December 6; winners of the SFFS / Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grants totaling $300,000 will be announced December 11. For these and all other Film Society announcements, including up-to-date information about other SFFS-related Sundance films as additional festival categories are revealed, visit sffs.org/Press/Releases.
SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY–SUPPORTED FILMS AT SUNDANCE 2013
Fruitvale, directed by Ryan Coogler, U.S. Dramatic Competition
Fruitvale is the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008.
• Spring 2012 SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grant winner: $100,000 for production (more info)
• Fall 2012 SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grant finalist (winners announced Dec 11, more info)
• Off the Page script workshop, April 2012 (more info)
American Promise, directed by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, U.S. Documentary Competition
This intimate documentary follows the 12-year journey of two African-American families pursuing the promise of opportunity through the education of their sons.
• 2011 SFFS Documentary Film Fund grant winner: $25,000 for postproduction (more info)
Cutie and the Boxer, directed by Zachary Heinzerling, U.S. Documentary Competition
This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role as her overbearing husband's assistant, Noriko finds an identity of her own.
• 2011 SFFS Documentary Film Fund grant winner: $50,000 for postproduction (more info)
Inequality for All, directed by Jacob Kornbluth, U.S. Documentary Competition
In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy.
• Currently enrolled in San Francisco Film Society Project Development program (more info)
Narco Cultura, directed by Shaul Schwarz, U.S. Documentary Competition
An examination of Mexican drug cartels’ influence in pop culture on both sides of the border as experienced by an LA narcocorrido singer dreaming of stardom and a Juarez crime scene investigator on the front line of Mexico’s Drug War.
• 2012 SFFS Documentary Film Fund grant winner: $20,000 for postproduction (more info)
San Francisco Film Society–supported projects in the 2012 Sundance lineup presented earlier this year included Aurora Guerrero’s Mosquita y Mari (awarded $88,000 SFFS/Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grant for postproduction), Mark Kitchell’s A Fierce Green Fire (fiscally sponsored by SFFS) and Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin’s debut phenomenon which received two SFFS/Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grants totaling $105,000 for postproduction, and went on to win both Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize and Cannes’ Camera d’Or.
For additional information visit sffs.org/filmmaker360.
San Francisco Film Society
Building on a legacy of more than 50 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the Bay Area, the San Francisco Film Society is a national leader in exhibition, education and filmmaker services. SFFS is headed by Executive Director Ted Hope with the programmatic leadership of Director of Programming Rachel Rosen, Director of Filmmaker360 Michele Turnure-Salleo and Director of Education Joanne Parsont.
The Film Society presents more than 100 days of exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students. Through Filmmaker360, the Film Society’s filmmaker services program, essential creative and business services, professional development classes, and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to deserving filmmakers of all levels.
The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Patronage and membership provides discounted prices, access to grants and residencies, private events and a wealth of other benefits.
For more information visit sffs.org.
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"Finding out that these fantastic films that we’ve supported are going to get their introduction to the world at Sundance is incredibly exciting,” said Michele Turnure-Salleo, director of Filmmaker360. “We’ve gotten to know these filmmakers and their projects very well and helped them put the pieces together to tell these compelling stories, so it’s immensely satisfying to see them getting the start they deserve. It has been quite a ride this last year since the Sundance premiere of Beasts of the Southern Wild, which we also supported, and we’re eager to get on that rollercoaster once again."
Filmmaker360, the Film Society’s filmmaker support program, offers unparalleled assistance and opportunities designed to foster creativity and further the careers of independent filmmakers nationwide and oversees one of the largest film grant programs in the country, which disperses nearly $1 million annually to incubate and support innovative and exceptional films. Other services offered by Filmmaker360 include project development and fiscal sponsorship, FilmHouse residencies offering free office space to filmmakers in any stage of production, Off the Page script workshops, and professional development classes. For more information visit sffs.org/filmmaker360.
The Film Society will announce the next round of FilmHouse residents, whose residencies will begin in the spring of 2013, on December 6; winners of the SFFS / Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grants totaling $300,000 will be announced December 11. For these and all other Film Society announcements, including up-to-date information about other SFFS-related Sundance films as additional festival categories are revealed, visit sffs.org/Press/Releases.
SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY–SUPPORTED FILMS AT SUNDANCE 2013
Fruitvale, directed by Ryan Coogler, U.S. Dramatic Competition
Fruitvale is the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008.
• Spring 2012 SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grant winner: $100,000 for production (more info)
• Fall 2012 SFFS/KRF Filmmaking Grant finalist (winners announced Dec 11, more info)
• Off the Page script workshop, April 2012 (more info)
American Promise, directed by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, U.S. Documentary Competition
This intimate documentary follows the 12-year journey of two African-American families pursuing the promise of opportunity through the education of their sons.
• 2011 SFFS Documentary Film Fund grant winner: $25,000 for postproduction (more info)
Cutie and the Boxer, directed by Zachary Heinzerling, U.S. Documentary Competition
This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role as her overbearing husband's assistant, Noriko finds an identity of her own.
• 2011 SFFS Documentary Film Fund grant winner: $50,000 for postproduction (more info)
Inequality for All, directed by Jacob Kornbluth, U.S. Documentary Competition
In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy.
• Currently enrolled in San Francisco Film Society Project Development program (more info)
Narco Cultura, directed by Shaul Schwarz, U.S. Documentary Competition
An examination of Mexican drug cartels’ influence in pop culture on both sides of the border as experienced by an LA narcocorrido singer dreaming of stardom and a Juarez crime scene investigator on the front line of Mexico’s Drug War.
• 2012 SFFS Documentary Film Fund grant winner: $20,000 for postproduction (more info)
San Francisco Film Society–supported projects in the 2012 Sundance lineup presented earlier this year included Aurora Guerrero’s Mosquita y Mari (awarded $88,000 SFFS/Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grant for postproduction), Mark Kitchell’s A Fierce Green Fire (fiscally sponsored by SFFS) and Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin’s debut phenomenon which received two SFFS/Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grants totaling $105,000 for postproduction, and went on to win both Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize and Cannes’ Camera d’Or.
For additional information visit sffs.org/filmmaker360.
San Francisco Film Society
Building on a legacy of more than 50 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the Bay Area, the San Francisco Film Society is a national leader in exhibition, education and filmmaker services. SFFS is headed by Executive Director Ted Hope with the programmatic leadership of Director of Programming Rachel Rosen, Director of Filmmaker360 Michele Turnure-Salleo and Director of Education Joanne Parsont.
The Film Society presents more than 100 days of exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students. Through Filmmaker360, the Film Society’s filmmaker services program, essential creative and business services, professional development classes, and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to deserving filmmakers of all levels.
The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Patronage and membership provides discounted prices, access to grants and residencies, private events and a wealth of other benefits.
For more information visit sffs.org.
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