The Town with Matthew Belloni Venice, Sundance, and the New Film Festival Hierarchy
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Aug 27, 2025 
Christine Vachon, a notable independent film producer behind hits like 'Boys Don't Cry,' joins the conversation to delve into the state of independent cinema. She shares insights about her latest project, 'Materialists,' and discusses the evolution of film festivals, highlighting Venice and Sundance as crucial venues for indie filmmakers. Vachon addresses financing challenges and the shift in audience engagement through streaming platforms, while reflecting on how innovation is vital for arthouse films in a competitive landscape.
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Fall Festivals Still Set The Season
- Fall festivals (Venice, Telluride, Toronto, NYFF) still shape awards season and indie market momentum.
- Festivals serve as both curator and marketplace for distribution deals and audience testing.
Late Fame As An Execution-Dependent Drama
- Christine describes Late Fame as a small, execution-dependent dramedy that they built independently.
- She warns character-driven dramas must be executed perfectly to connect with audiences.
Buyers' Interest Has Fragmented
- Fall festivals still matter, but buyers' attention is fragmented and changing with streaming strategies.
- Producers feel they hear more about what companies won't buy than what they will.