Top Filmmaking Articles of the Week – February 2, 2025

Top Filmmaking Articles of the Week - February 2, 2025

To be a filmmaker, you have to lead. You have to be psychotic in your desire to do something. People always like the easy route. You have to push very hard to get something unusual, something different.

-Danny Boyle

Top Filmmaking Articles of the Week - February 2, 2025

Here are some filmmaking articles that we found interesting the past week, mostly from Sundance, because, of course they are. We hope you enjoy!

Hollywood Reporter – Mia Galuppo

The Sundance Film Festival 2025 in Park City was marked by a subdued atmosphere and discussions about its potential relocation after 2026. The lineup featured smaller films from first-time directors, with less star power than previous years. Industry professionals expressed readiness for a change in venue, considering options like Salt Lake City, Boulder, or Cincinnati. The festival’s move from Park City is seen as a turning point, with many accepting that its time there has run its course. Despite the changes, Sundance continues to champion diversity in art and thought, maintaining its role in presenting new talent and perspectives to the film industry.

LA Times – Samantha Masunaga

Neon has acquired worldwide rights to the horror film “Together” at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival for $15-17 million. Directed by Michael Shanks and starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco, the film premiered to a positive audience response. “Together” follows a couple’s supernatural encounter after moving to the countryside and is set for a theatrical release in August 2025. This acquisition marks the first major deal at Sundance 2025, which has seen a slower market compared to previous years, partly due to recent wildfires in Southern California affecting the industry. The film’s success at Sundance highlights the continued interest in indie horror and the potential for breakout hits at the festival.

Rolling Stone – David Fear

Rolling Stone’s roundup of the best movies at Sundance 2025 highlights a diverse array of films that made an impact at the festival. The article praises “Train Dreams” for its haunting portrayal of the American West, while “2000 Meters to Andriivka” is lauded for its powerful depiction of the Ukraine conflict. “Thelma” stands out as a crowd-pleasing comedy about an elderly woman’s quest for justice. The documentary “Daughters” receives acclaim for its emotional exploration of incarcerated fathers reconnecting with their children. Other notable mentions include the surreal comedy “I Saw the TV Glow,” the intense drama “Handling the Undead,” and the thought-provoking “A Real Pain.” The selection reflects Sundance’s continued commitment to showcasing diverse voices and innovative storytelling across various genres, from intimate character studies to bold, experimental works.

Filmmaker Magazine – Lauren Wissot

“Grand Theft Hamlet” is an innovative documentary that won the Documentary Feature Jury Award at SXSW. Directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls, the film is entirely shot within the video game Grand Theft Auto V, using the game’s mechanics to stage a production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This unique approach blends classical literature with modern gaming technology, exploring themes of performance, free will, and the blurring lines between reality and virtual worlds. The directors faced creative challenges within the game’s limitations, such as a lack of indoor locations and close-ups. The film has been praised for making Shakespeare accessible to new audiences and raises questions about the future of performance and storytelling in digital mediums.

If you’ve found anything interesting this week let us know and we can spread the word next time!

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