It’s always sad to hear of layoffs and I wonder if other festivals are facing the same tough decisions?
And these are the reasons:
“Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente notified staff in a memo on Wednesday, writing: “We entered FY23 with a deficit, and it has gotten more expensive to run the Institute due to rising costs from inflation, a drop in our earned revenue, and a more challenging fundraising climate.”
I assume, although may be wrong that the drop in ‘earned revenue’ is linked to the fall in ‘marquee sales’ and the streamers not turning up in force, last year?
https://www.screendaily.com/news/sundance-institute-laying-off-6pc-of-wo...?
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Any organization dependent on mainstream studios for its outlook and constituency risks going the way of the dodo in the next few years. Apple, Sony, Amazon - if they end up owning the industry as many of us expect - won't be supporting these organizations. They are & will be creating their own in-group. Sundance is venerable and respected - but also among many accomplished independent filmmakers often criticized as elitist (I don't think there's any argument about that) and being part of the group that squashes actual independent work in favor of boosting studio-associated projects. A behind-the-scenes understanding of the machinations that went on between Sundance and John Pearson with Artisan Entertainment on Blair Witch is very instructive and does lend credence to the reasoning for resentment. I think the major industry might miss Sundance if it ever goes down - but on the other hand, they are maneuvering to continue to abandon the theatrical-based paradigm of the past as they try to figure out how to survive themselves. Perhaps their support is waning...
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Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg Thanks Shadow. I would agree that Sundance is follow the path of elitism, but where does that leave the indie filmmakers? Go anywhere except Sundance? What are the best festivals for indie filmmakers to aim for?
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Geoff Hall, check the list of Academy Award and BAFTA Qualifying festivals in addition to Sundance at Film Freeway.
Thanks Dane. I’ll check it out.
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Seriously important subjects, will like to hear relevant positive outcome, from all this.