Sundance Institute Announces 2024 Fellows for Native, Directors and Screenwriters Labs
¡Hola, mi gente! The Sundance Institute, a treasured hub for artistic innovación, has recently announced the selection of sixteen incredibly talented fellows for this year’s Directors, Screenwriters, and Native Labs. Desde hace más de cuatro décadas, these labs have been a nurturing ground for filmmakers to explore and expand their creative visions under the mentorship of seasoned advisors.
This year’s cohort is nothing short of impresionante, with artists from diverse backgrounds ready to dive deep into their unique narratives. The Native Lab, especialmente, will shine a spotlight on Indigenous storytelling, taking place in the culturally rich Santa Fe, N.M. from April 29 to May 4. Among the chosen are dynamic figures like Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan and Charine Pilar Gonzales, who are set to refine their feature films with ayuda from expert advisors.
Meanwhile, the Directors Lab is set to unfold in the scenic vistas of Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo., from May 7 to 22. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Gyula Gazdag, fellows like Keisha Rae Witherspoon and Sylvia Khoury will engage in intensive workshops, where they’ll direct scenes, work with actors, and refine their scripts. Este año, the Labs are blessed with a stellar lineup of advisors including Miguel Arteta and Ed Harris, who will impart their sabiduría to the next generation of directors.
Not to be left behind, the Screenwriters Lab will embrace the digital sphere, running online from June 4 to 7. Here, writers will polish their scripts in one-on-one sessions tackling story structure, character development, and more. Este salon virtual will be spearheaded by Howard Rodman and will feature insights from industry veterans like Scott Frank and Jenny Lumet.
Adam Piron, director of the Indigenous Program, reflected on the Labs, saying, “We can’t wait to see what this group’s combined strengths contribute to each other’s projects as they collaborate and create.” Truly, it’s this spirit of comunidad and colaboración that makes Sundance Labs a beacon for emerging talent.
Among the notable alumni who have passed through these labs are giants of filmmaking like Quentin Tarantino and Ryan Coogler—each bringing their distinct voz and vision to the cinematic world. It’s clear that Sundance isn’t just about creating films; it’s about fostering voices that resonate across geographies and generations.
Focus on this year’s fellows like Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan from the Philippines, whose project, ‘Hum,’ is a poignant exploration of a mother’s relentless search for her missing husband in the wild jungles. And let’s not overlook Lindsay McIntyre, whose film ‘The Words We Can’t Speak’ promises a heart-wrenching journey across the Arctic.
As the Sundance Institute continues to nurture these diverse talents, it’s thrilling to think of the new stories that will soon unfold on our screens—stories of love, challenge, triumph, and, most importantly, human spirit. So, to the 2024 fellows—your journey is just beginning, and we, your película-loving familia, can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you! ¡Buena suerte a todos!
