Los Angeles, CA — The snow-packed gems of the Sundance Film Festival will thaw in the summer heat of downtown LA with Sundance NEXT FEST, August 12-14 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. The program, announced today, features some of the most talented new film and music artists on the verge of breaking out. Tickets ($15-25) go on sale today at sundance.org/next.
Sundance NEXT FEST will present the Los Angeles premieres of six new independent films from the 2016 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, as well as a showcase of comedy short films. Each is paired with a music act, live performance or conversation with an icon of independent cinema.
The festival kicks off Friday with the premiere of Lovesong, an offbeat love story starring Riley Keough and Jena Malone, and a performance by Shamir. Saturday’s lineup includes: coming-of-age comedy Morris from America and a local teen talent show, hosted by Craig Robinson; the edgy, New York-set White Girl; and the premiere of intense fraternity drama Goat, starring Nick Jonas and paired with Sunflower Bean, called “NYC’s Coolest Young Band” by Rolling Stone. Sunday’s events include: a showcase of comedy short films from the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, hosted by comedian Nick Kroll and followed by a Short Film Master Class for filmmakers; the premiere of highly acclaimed, Iranian horror film Under the Shadow; and the festival closes with the wild and debaucherous The Greasy Strangler, accompanied by a live performance from a surprise music artist to be announced and the world premiere of Flying Lotus’, aka steve’s, directorial debut, the short film Royal.
John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “This year’s Sundance NEXT FEST showcases stories from all over that still hit close to home. Tied to music performances by breakout artists and extended conversations with prolific filmmakers, this weekend celebration is an indie oasis in a summer of big-budget blockbusters.”
Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “Sundance NEXT FEST has become a summer staple for independent film and music fans in Los Angeles who want to experience what’s new and next in culture. This is our biggest and weirdest lineup to date, and I can’t wait for people to see what we’ve dreamt up this year.”
Sundance NEXT FEST this year includes NEXT DOOR, a free outdoor entertainment venue next to the Theatre for attendees to mingle and enjoy a drink, snacks and sponsor activities before or after a screening. Also, just before NEXT FEST kicks off, NIGHT BEFORE NEXT, a celebration event on August 11, will benefit the Institute. Nate Parker (The Birth of a Nation) will receive the Institute’s Vanguard Award during cocktails and dinner, and the outdoor party afterwards will feature a live musical performance by White Sea, fronted by Morgan Kibby, formerly of M83. Tickets to the outdoor party start at $150 and include an Institute membership at some levels.
Members who support the non-profit Sundance Institute have access to a host of benefits related to Sundance NEXT FEST, including the ability to purchase tickets today, before they go on sale to the public tomorrow. Members also get special seating at screenings, are invited to a party during Sundance NEXT FEST and are eligible to win a prize package including a three-night stay at the Ace Hotel plus airfare. New this year, members attending the Downtown & Dirty Shorts program on Sunday have the opportunity to participate in an intimate conversation with Director of Programming Trevor Groth and Programmer Charlie Reff about the Sundance NEXT FEST program and the festival’s genesis. To join, visit sundance.org/membership.
Sundance NEXT FEST is an extension of the popular NEXT section at the Sundance Film Festival, which showcases stylistically adventurous and bold films including Obvious Child, Tangerine, James White, Nasty Baby, and Escape from Tomorrow.
Sundance NEXT FEST supporters include: Principal Sponsors – Acura and Adobe; Major Sponsor – Kickstarter; Media Sponsor – Los Angeles Times; and Supporting Sponsors – Beachside Films, BitTorrent, Dolby Laboratories, Inc., FilmL.A., Inc., Stella Artois®, sweetgreen, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Tequila Don Julio™, Trinchero Family Estates, and Utah Film Commission.
Sundance Institute
Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. The Institute’s signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, The Invisible War, The Square, Dirty Wars, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles makes its home in the historic United Artists building in Downtown LA. Built in 1927 for the maverick film studio, the ornate, storied and vibrant Theatre and the 14-story Spanish Gothic office tower that fronts it have been lovingly retrofitted into a modern hotel – enlivening the building’s historical soul with the scrupulous attention to detail that Ace has built its reputation on. It’s the kind of project that we dream about, and we’re honored to stand as a spiritual anchor at the heart of the Broadway Theater District’s vibrant modern renaissance.
Tickets on sale at sundance.org/next.
