Creative Producing Summit

In recognition of the importance of producers in the creation and distribution of independent film, Sundance Institute's long-standing Independent Producers Conference has evolved into the Creative Producing Summit. Since 2009, the Summit takes place each summer at the Sundance Resort, a 6,000-acre arts and recreation community located at the base of Mount Timpanogos in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Over the three-day gathering, the Creative Producing Summit provides a forum for top industry professionals, producers, and directors to focus on three primary avenues of dialogue: narrative producing, documentary producing, and the state of the independent film industry. The 2012 Summit will take place at the Sundance Resort from August 3-5, 2012.

As part of the Institute's evolving commitment to independent producers, the Summit is an invitation-only event for up to 40 producers and directors identified through the full array of the Institute's creative development programs and the Sundance Film Festival. Building on Sundance Institute's philosophy of extending a broad continuum of creative and strategic support to diverse projects, the Summit targets producers and projects already being nurtured through Labs, Fellowships, grants, and Festival participation, or those with potential to be supported by Sundance Institute programs.

The following Institute programs offer many opportunities for artist support and accept open applications for participation throughout the year:

Feature Film Program
Documentary Film Program
Film Music Program
Theatre Program
Native American and Indigenous Program
Sundance Film Festival

We hope to extend ongoing support to the most compelling and powerful films with the best possible chances of being made. The Creative Producing Summit offers a crucial opportunity for these producers to meaningfully advance their projects.

Schedule

Each day's programmed events allow for a revolving series of conversations around critical issues producers face in the growing marketplace, including:

Case Study Sessions—working analysis of independent films.

Panels—addressing larger marketplace issues.

Roundtable Discussions—providing intimate conversations dealing with specific challenges facing producers.

One-on-One Meetings—offering nurturing individual advice for producers about moving their projects and body of work forward.

Hosted Tables at Meals—opportunities for more intimate and informal question-and-answer sessions with key industry members and producers.

Pitching Sessions—an instructional discussion and practical session on the best means of pitching material.

The intensity of the daily meetings is offset by a collegial and lively atmosphere during evening events, which include social receptions, group dinners, and larger panels.

Fostering community among participating producers and the involvement of key figures in the independent film industry continue to be cornerstones of the Creative Producing Summit.

2011 Creative Producing Summit Panelists

ERIC d'ARBELOFF
Roadside Attractions

JOSLYN BARNES
Louverture Films

JOHN BATTSEK
Passion Pictures

JOSH BRAUN
Submarine Entertainment

ANTONIO CAMPOS
Borderline Films

SEBASTIEN CHESNEAU
Rezo Films International

KARIN CHIEN
Independent Producer

BONNI COHEN
Actual Films

VICTORIA COOK
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz

LIESL COPLAND
William Morris Endeavor

PHILIPP ENGELHORN
Cinereach

JULIE GOLDMAN
Motto Pictures

ROBERT KENNER
Robert Kenner Films

LARS KNUDSEN
Parts and Labor

MARIAN KOLTAI-LEVINE
PMK*BNC

ALEX KRUGLOV
Hulu

GINA KWON
Independent Producer

TIM LEAGUE
Alamo Drafthouse

ALIX MADIGAN
Anonymous Content

SUSAN MARGOLIN
New Video

PAUL MEZEY
Journeyman Pictures

JOSH MOND
Borderline Films

CELINE RATTRAY
Maven Pictures

TED RICHANE
Cause & Affect

JONATHAN SCHWARTZ
Crispy Films

JOHN SLOSS
Cinetic Media

BEC SMITH
United Talent Agency

DAN STEINMAN
Creative Artists Agency

RICKY STRAUSS
Participant Media

YANCEY STRICKLER
Kickstarter

NANCY UTLEY
Fox Searchlight Pictures

JAY VAN HOY
Parts and Labor

RYAN WERNER
IFC Films

DIANE WEYERMANN
Participant Media

NANCY WILLEN
Acme PR