SALT LAKE CITY – When the 2020 film awards season began on Wednesday with the announcement of Golden Globe nominees, the Sundance Film Festival also ended the first major event of the new film year.
The 2021 Sundance Festival Awards were presented on Tuesday evening. The festival, which was held virtually online for the first time, began on Thursday and ends today.
The winners of this year’s Sundance Grand Jury were “CODA,” which won the top prize in the U.S. drama contest, “Summer of Soul (… Or, when the revolution couldn’t be televised)” in the U.S. documentary contest “. Hive” in the World Cinema Dramatic contest and “Flee” in the World Cinema Documentary contest.
“This was not a‘ virtual ’festival, it was a real festival and the power of these artists and their work was what made it so,” Sundance Festival director Tabitha Jackson said on Tuesday. “It has been a privilege to help this play meet new audiences and enter the culture with so much fanfare, especially now, when breaking the noise is harder than ever.”
“CODA,” “Summer of Soul” and “Hive” also won audience awards, as well as the Indian documentary “Writing With Fire” and the drama “Ma Belle, My Beauty.” You can find the full list of awards at this link.
In addition to all the awards, “CODA” also brought home the bacon: Apple’s $ 25 million acquisition of the film destroyed Sundance’s previous record for highest bid. Previously, Andy Samberg’s comedy “Palm Springs,” which sold out to Neon and Hulu at last year’s festival for $ 22 million.
Sundance Institute general manager Keri Putnam also promoted the creative work presented at this year’s film festival.
“Seeing people come together to connect and discuss new and exciting work has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s a resounding confirmation that great independent stories inspire rich conversation,” Putnam said.
Here’s a look at the rest of the deals posted so far at Sundance this year.
“Ailey”
Distributor Neon picked up the documentary “Ailey,” which is about dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, for an undisclosed sum, according to the Hollywood Reporter. It is directed by Jamila Wignot.
“CODA”
“CODA,” Sian Heder’s drama about a deaf adult child who is the only hearing member of his family, set a record $ 25 million at Sundance, according to Variety. Apple Studios won the rights to distribute the film after a bidding war between several other major distributors, Variety reported.
“Cryptozoo”
Dash Shaw’s eclectic adult animated film sold to Magnolia Pictures, according to Variety. The film follows two lovers who throw themselves into the woods for a date, bumping into a park full of fantastic creatures. It features the voices of Lake Bell, Michael Cera and Zoe Kazan.
‘Escape’
Sundance’s second Neon collection this year is the animated documentary “Flee”. According to Deadline, it was sold to Neon in partnership with Participant for a seven-figure deal. Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, “Flee” documents the story of the persecution and flight of an Afghan refugee.
“Jockey”
Clifton Collins Jr. won a special award from the Sundance jury for best actor for “Jockey,” which was sold to Sony Pictures Classics, according to Deadline. Collins plays an aged horse racer who reconciles with his deteriorating health when he encounters a novice rider who claims to be his missing son.
“Playing with sharks”
National Geographic Documentary Films bought distribution rights to the documentary “Playing With Sharks,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film features Australian conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor.
“Superior”
Visit Films acquired the rights to distribute the neo-noir “Superior,” which features two twin sisters who meet in mysterious circumstances, according to Screen Daily.
Offers completed before the festival began
- “A Glitch In The Matrix”: Magnolia Pictures announced that it acquired the documentary, which examines simulation theory, late last year, according to The Wrap.
- “The Most Beautiful Boy in the World”: Juno Films acquired the American distribution rights for this documentary, Deadline reported. The film documents the life of former acting star Björn Andrésen.
- “Prisoners of the Ghost Land”: RLJE Films will release Nicolas Cage’s action film, according to The Wrap. Previously, the dealer released the art house titles “Mandy” and “Color Out Of Space,” which also featured Cage.
- “Together Together”: Bleecker Street acquired the distribution rights to the comedy, starring Ed Helms and Patti Harrison, according to Variety.
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Jacob Klopfenstein