The 2016 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 21st through the 31st in Park City, Utah. The festival is a destination for both up-and-coming and veteran filmmakers, and has earned a reputation as a showcase for some of the most critically acclaimed and Oscar-worthy films of the year. This year, out of the 12,793 submissions they received, the Sundance committee has selected just over 200 feature length and short films to play at the festival. From all of this, there is sure to be plenty of studio deals, bidding wars, trailers, clips and news — and we’re here to give you a daily wrap up of all the big developments from Park City. (And don’t forget to check out our exclusive party and event grid!)
Two more big deals for movies with Nick Jonas and Kim Jong-il (yes, that Kim Jong-il) have been made as the Sundance Film Festival enters its final days.
DEALS
THE LOVERS AND THE DESPOT
Synopsis: Following the collapse of their glamorous romance, a celebrity director and his actress ex-wife are kidnapped by movie-obsessed dictator Kim Jong-il. Forced to make films in extraordinary circumstances, they get a second chance at love — but only one chance at escape.
Category: World Cinema Documentary Competition
Directors: Robert Cannan, Ross Adam
Purchased by: Magnolia Pictures
GOAT
Synopsis: Reeling from a terrifying assault, a 19-year- old boy pledges his brother’s fraternity in an attempt to prove his manhood. What happens there, in the name of “brotherhood,” tests both the boys and their relationship in brutal ways.
Category: U.S. Dramatic Competition
Director: Andrew Neel
Cast: Austin Lyon, Ben Schnetzer, Danny Flaherty, Nick Jonas, Virginia Gardner
Purchased by: Paramount Home Media
ACQUISITION TALLY AS OF JANUARY 28, 2016:
A24: 1
Amazon: 5
Beta Cinema: 1
Blumhouse: 1
Brainstorm Media: 1
Fox Searchlight: 1
HBO: 1
IFC: 1
Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment: 1
Magnolia Pictures: 2
Netflix: 5
The Orchard: 1
Oscilloscope Laboratories: 1
Paramount Pictures: 1
Paramount Home Media: 1
Roadside Attractions: 1
Showtime: 1
Sony Pictures Classics: 2
WWE Films: 1
See all of our preview posts for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, and catch up with our full coverage of the festival in our other Sundance Spotlights!
For a complete list of festival films and details, visit sundance.org.
Dino-Ray Ramos | Staff Writer
