In its nineteenth year, the Slamdance Film Festival appears to be pulling out all the stops, thanks to their recent announcement of a very impressive slate of Special Screenings and their all-new Slam Collective, launching at January’s fest. The list of Special Screenings includes a film that may very well be one of Slamdance’s most impressive bits of programming ever, the World Premiere of Philippe Caland‘s Vipaka,a mysterious project about karma with a cast that includes Forest Whitaker, Anthony Mackie, Mike Epps, and Sanaa Lathan. Listen up, Slamdancers, this is going to the hot ticket of the festival. We’re anxious for our tickets already!
The festival has also announced the films that make up their new Slam Collective, a collaboration “between global filmmakers using innovative methods and shared experience.” This new section is “inspired by the idea that with digital technology, cameras, online distribution, like-minded filmmakers from different cultures across continents can embrace a basic concept and create several films with one unifying theme; the discovery of community.” This year’s inaugural Slam Collective features seven filmmakers from five different continents, all working to create one new documentary, comprised of their own linked documentary shorts.
These titles join the festival’s already-announced Features lineup, which also appears to be packed with some gems-in-the-making. Check out the full list of Special Screenings and the Slam Collective films after the break!
SPECIAL SCREENINGS PROGRAM
Between Us – Director: Dan Mirvish, Screenwriters: Joe Hortua & Dan Mirvish
(USA)
In this darkly comedic drama based on a hit Off-Broadway play, two couples reunite over the course of two volatile evenings where anything can happen.
Cast: Taye Diggs, Melissa George, David Harbour, Julia Stiles
Jug Face – Director & Screenwriter: Chad Crawford Kinkle
(USA) World Premiere
Teen, pregnant with her brother’s child, tries to escape from a backwoods community when she discovers that she must sacrifice herself to a creature in a pit in this dramatic horror offering.
Cast: Lauren Ashley Carter, Sean Bridgers, Sean Young, Larry Fessenden, Daniel Manche, Scott Hodges, Katie Groshong, Alex Maisus
Vipaka – Director: Philippe Caland, Screenwriter: Shintaro Shimosawa (USA) World Premiere
You reap what you sow.
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Anthony Mackie, Mike Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Nicole Ari Parker, Ariana Neal
SLAM COLLECTIVE
I WANT TO BE AN AMERICAN
(United States, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, India) World Premiere
I Want To Be An American – Director: Dale Yudelman
Stix, a 19-year-old youth has lived on the streets of Cape Town and the suburb of Manenburg all his life. The Americans he mentions are a notorious gang on the Cape Flats, but what Stix really wants is to see the world and America someday.
Clown In The Crowd – Director: Maya Newell
Yani, a 29-year-old Peruvian refugee, leads a double life: part wife and mother, part clown.
Aidee – Director: Dylan Verrechia
The story of Aidee, a stripper living in Tijuana struggling relentlessly to provide her daughter with a good education and a better life.
Suzanne Takes Me Down – Director: Q
Through the course of one night, Suzanne, a transgender sex worker, walks the streets of Kolkata, confessing her dreams.
Listen – Director: Monteith McCollum
A story about man’s love affair with shortwave radio.
All About Eve – Director: Peter Baxter
Eve, an outgoing 12-year-old girl living in Hollywood, California is preparing to meet the world and life in the 21st Century.
Rosa – Director: Daniel J. Harris
Rosa is about a traditional wedding song in Cape Malay culture, now sung mostly at choral competitions.
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The 2013 Slamdance Film Festival will take place from January 18th to 24th, 2013 in Park City, Utah. [Press Release]