The Town with Matthew Belloni Is the Sundance Dream Still Alive?
Jan 26, 2023
John Sloss, an entertainment dealmaker and media advisor with Cinetic Media, shares insights from Sundance. He discusses the festival’s return and the shifts in film acquisition, particularly the rise of streaming platforms. Sloss expresses concerns about independent scripted dramas and the future of arthouse films in a rapidly changing market. He elaborates on the complexities of investing in first-time filmmakers and the delicate balance between streaming and theatrical releases today, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
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Sloss's Sundance History
- John Sloss has been involved in major Sundance sales, including producing the Best Picture nominee Boyhood.
- He's known for a story about escaping to a snowy field during the Little Miss Sunshine bidding war.
Evolving Sundance Dream
- The Sundance dream, where unknown filmmakers sell their movies for large sums, has changed.
- Sundance remains a festival of discovery, with strong curation despite political factors.
Pandemic's Impact and Streamer Preferences
- The pandemic and the changing theatrical market affected Sundance.
- Streamers show interest in documentaries but less in independent scripted dramas.