Sundance 2024 and a Special Announcement (Psst! OMHP Is Launching a Production Company!)

Welcome back to One Moore Hollywood Podcast, your favorite place to get the latest Hollywood scoop from three movie-loving industry insiders: Chris Moore, Katie Marpe, and Dennis De Nobile. As our hosts will be attending the Sundance Film Festival this year, this episode centers on their varied experiences of Sundance in years past, what they're looking forward to at the festival this year, and what makes Sundance so fun.

Additionally, this episode marks the announcement of this trio’s new production company! Dubbed Fusion Productions, their exciting new endeavor will focus on working with filmmakers early in their careers. Whether first or second-time filmmakers–or those who work in a different part of the film business but want to try their hand at making an indie feature–this announcement is for you! 

A Brief Sundance History

And now, back to Sundance.

In 1978, Robert Redford started the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the American answer to other world-renowned film festivals (Cannes and Toronto, etc.) Founded initially to highlight American independent films, Sundance now includes international selections and is held every January in the small, snowy ski town of Park City, Utah. 

Over the years, Sundance has become a huge promotional opportunity for filmmakers and producers to gain exposure and a marketplace for their films. These days, the festival also attracts a fair number of celebrities. 

"It's a real celebration of movies and new television. They're doing their best in a world where everything gets corporatized."

–Chris Moore

Sundance used to be a discovery zone for previously unknown independent films. Nowadays, films get discovered there a lot less, partly because there are so many other festivals to premiere at and partly because Sundance often screens films that already have some hype around their productions. 

Everything To Love About Sundance

Rarely these days do we get to walk into a movie theater knowing very little about the movie we're seeing, and that's one thing Moore is greatly looking forward to at Sundance. "Ten movies in five days sounds pretty good to me," he says. 

The first time Moore went to Sundance was in 1989 when the independent film distribution side of the festival was starting to develop. Moore was a literary agent then, primarily seeking writers and directors to represent. Essentially, he says, it was a huge party for the industry.

"Film festivals are a great place to find out what's motivating people. I remember watching Winter's Bone…and the poverty…those filmmakers were touching on something that moved me."

–Chris Moore

Marpe's first experience at Sundance was as an assistant with an independent distribution company based in LA that was in the market for some movies. While Marpe didn't see any films her first go around, she had a great time scoping out the scene and driving cool writers around town. 

The most recent time Marpe attended, she happened to see (and love) Manchester by the Sea, which, if you don't know, is one of Moore's crowning achievements as a producer.

"Film festival audiences are different from anyone on Earth. It's sort of like seeing a small band in a venue before they become U2."

–Chris Moore

De Nobile had his first Sundance run when his manager mother accompanied an actor she represented in a small indie film called Girlfight. Lo and behold, Girlfight won the Grand Jury Prize (the most prestigious award offered) at the festival that year. Because of this, De Nobile's entry to Sundance was rather dramatic, landing him smack dab in the middle of helping new actors navigate a major unexpected win. 

The next time De Nobile went to the festival, he met the one and only Chris Moore for the first time and got himself an internship with LivePlanet. 

"I love the atmosphere in Park City during Sundance. There are a lot of entertainment folks all together seeking out good stories and storytellers."

–Dennis De Nobile

All three hosts can attest that when you're at Sundance to watch movies rather than do business (like sell a movie), it's a much more enjoyable experience. With endless films, panels, and parties, something is always happening. 

This year, some of the movies our hosts are excited to see include: Hit Man, Freaky Tales, My Old Ass, Love Lies Bleeding, and Love Me (a love story between a buoy and a satellite, if you can believe it.) Moore is also interested in seeing several films involving Ukraine and some American Pie-esque movies centering on the female experience.

Do Film Festival Awards Make A Difference?

So what does winning a major award at Sundance–or any major film festival–do for a film? Does it guarantee success? Does it set you up for future awards? Does a good movie even need an award to build its momentum? Since Anatomy of a Fall went from winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes to winning Golden Globes for Best Screenplay and Best Motion Picture–Non-English Language, De Nobile proposes this question to the group.

For Marpe, it depends on the award and the festival. While The Grand Jury Prize at Sundance is an important accolade, to her, it doesn't hold quite the same weight as the Palme d'Or at Cannes. "That one's a fancy stamp," she says.

Of course, it's always helpful to acquire a stamp of approval from an international brand like Sundance, but there's no way to know exactly how helpful it will be. "It's like co-signing," De Nobile adds.

 "I think film festival awards and inclusion in a festival with a brand like Sundance gives you an advantage." 

–Katie Marpe 

However, this kind of cultural capital does not guarantee financial success or longevity in the public eye. For instance, if you look at a list of all the films that have won The Grand Jury Prize at Sundance over the years, you will only recognize a few of them. 

In De Nobile's opinion, the most important prize at Sundance is The Audience Award rather than the coveted Grand Jury Prize. The Audience Award is given to the film loved most by everyone who saw it, meaning that its selection is purely based on audience enjoyment. "I think The Audience Award is the one to win," he says.

"As opposed to financial capital, cultural capital or symbolic capital uses awards, nominations, a film festival emblem, or being a part of a film festival selection as a currency…and the currency is status, legitimacy, or prestige."

–Katie Marpe

Overall, there are many ways to measure success at a festival like Sundance. Considering the often cutthroat mentality of the modern entertainment world, it's a setting that provides a rare and rejuvenating opportunity to be around those who genuinely love getting good stories out into the world.

So, if you ever go to Sundance, soak it all in. And remember that you never know who you might run into. Be nice to everyone (especially those assistants running around carrying five coffees).

Who knows, you might pull a De Nobile and land an internship on the spot.

Listen to the entire episode here: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio.