Slamdance Film Festival
The Slamdance Film Festival is an annual film festival focused on emerging artists and low-budget independent films, created in 1995.[1]
Slamdance Award Ceremony 2015 | |
Location | Park City, Utah, United States |
---|---|
Founded | 1995 |
Language | English |
Website | slamdance |
Slamdance has since developed to become a year-round organization fostering the continued career development of independent filmmakers at all stages of the creative process, consisting of the Film Festival, Screenplay Competition, and Slamdance Studios.
History
Founding
The festival was founded in 1995 by Dan Mirvish, Jon Fitzgerald, Shane Kuhn, and Peter Baxter[2] along with Paul Rachman[3][4] after they had been unsuccessful in submitting films to the Sundance film festival.[5] Slamdance has since become a year-round organization championing emerging filmmaking talent and their new work. Baxter has been in charge of Slamdance since 1997.[6]
Festival discoveries and notable moments
Festival discoveries have included directors Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy), Marc Forster (Monster's Ball), Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), Oren Peli (Paranormal Activity), Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses), Lynn Shelton (Humpday), Lena Dunham (Girls), and the Russo brothers (Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame). Slamdance also attracts renowned alumni including Larry Clark, Steven Soderbergh, and Jonathan Demme.
At the 2005 Festival, Slamdance screened the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, which was immediately purchased by Paramount Pictures for the largest amount ever for a feature-length documentary. Also in 2005, actor Chip Godwin, won an unprecedented Honorable Mention Sparky award for his performance in John Erick Dowdle's comedy, The Dry Spell.
At the 2007 Festival, Seth Gordon's premiere The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters became another sought after documentary and was acquired by New Line Cinema.
In 2008, Oren Peli's Paranormal Activity played its Festival premiere at Slamdance[7] and was acquired by DreamWorks who then passed domestic control of the film onto Paramount. During the weekend of October 11–12, 2009, Paranormal Activity broke the box-office record[8] for a film playing at fewer than 200 theaters by selling $7.1 million worth of tickets in the US and Canada. As of October 25, Paranormal Activity had earned $66 million and reached number 1 at the box office.[9] By January 10, 2010, the $10,000 budgeted picture had amassed $107 million at the domestic box office and $193 million worldwide.[9] The documentary film Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father by Kurt Kuenne, about the murder of Zachary Turner, also premiered at the festival and was later acquired by MSNBC for distribution.[10]
2009 festival highlights included the premieres of Mississippi Damned, directed by Tina Mabry, and I Sell the Dead, produced by Larry Fessenden and directed by Glenn McQuaid; the latter which was acquired by the Independent Film Channel and Anchor Bay Entertainment. A Quiet Little Marriage, directed by Mo Perkins, won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Feature and shortly afterward was picked for distribution by the Independent Film Channel.[11]
2010's festival event took place in Park City, Utah on January 21–28, 2010.[12] It included the world premiere of Steven Soderbergh's And Everything Is Going Fine (a documentary about the late actor and monologuist Spalding Gray) and introduced the "Filmmaker Summit".[13] This Summit invites the global filmmaking community to collectively craft a new charter for storytelling and content distribution that can succeed by using new technology.[14] The Jury Prize for Best Narrative film was won by Snow and Ashes, directed by Charles-Olivier Michaud and the Jury Prize for Best Documentary was won by American Jihadist, directed by Mark Claywell. The Audience Award for Best Narrative was won by The Wild Hunt, directed by Alexandre Franchi and the Audience Award for Best Documentary was won by Mind of the Demon: The Larry Linkogle Story, directed by Adam Barker.[15]
For the 2011 Festival, Slamdance received a record number of over 5,000 submissions. The Sparky for Best Narrative Film went to Stranger Things and Best Documentary went to Bhopali, which also won the Audience Award. The Audience Award for Best Narrative went to Silver Tongues. Following their premieres at Slamdance, Superheroes was sold to HBO and Atrocious was acquired by the same team at Paramount that developed the Paranormal Activity franchise.[16]
At the 2012 Festival, Canadian distributor Phase 4 Films acquired the high school comedy Bindlestiffs. The Slamdance title directed by Andrew Edison was the first movie to be released under Kevin Smith's SModcast Pictures Presents label.[17]
In 2013, Slamdance screened the horror film Jug Face, which was acquired by Gravitas Ventures for a VOD release. Also acquired by Gravitas were Michael Urie's He's Way More Famous Than You, Steven Feinartz's The Bitter Buddha starring Eddie Pepitone, and Peter Baxter's Wild In The Streets.[18] The Sparky Award for Narrative Feature Film went to Matt Johnson's The Dirties and the Jury Prize from Documentary went to Nicole Teeny's Bible Quiz.[19] Audience Awards went to the feature Hank and Asha, directed by James E. Duff, and the documentary My Name is Faith directed by Jason Banker, Jorge Torres-Torres, and Tiffany Sudela-Junker.
In 2014, Slamdance celebrated its 20th anniversary. Notable alumni like Christopher Nolan and the Russo brothers made special appearances.[20] The Jury Award for Narrative Feature went to Rezeta by Fernando Frías de la Parra and for Documentary Feature to Elliot (now Kung Fu Elliot) by Matthew Bauckman and Jaret Belliveau. The Audience Awards went to Copenhagen by Mark Raso (Narrative) and Kidnapped for Christ by Kate S. Logan (Documentary).[21]
The 2015 Festival included the premiere of Dana Nachman's Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World,[22] which was acquired by New Line Cinema for distribution with Julia Roberts attached to star in and produce the feature adaptation of the film;[23] also in the program were Gabrielle Demeestere's Yosemite starring James Franco,[24] and Dr. God's Bloodsucking Bastards, which was acquired by Shout! Factory for distribution.[25]
A special "Coffee With..." event was held with Franco and Variety's Scott Foundas,[26] discussing the world of DIY filmmaking according to Franco. The Jury Award for Narrative Feature went to Tired Moonlight directed by Britni West. Special Mentions for Narrative Feature were made by the Jury for Across the Sea and They Look Like People. The Jury Award for Documentary Feature went to Ben Patterson's Sweet Micky for President. A Special Mention for Documentary Feature from the Jury was given to 20 Years of Madness. The Audience Award for Narrative Feature was given to Nisan Dağ and Esra Saydam's Across the Sea. The Audience Award for Documentary Feature was given to Sweet Micky for President.[27]
The 2016 Festival featured the world premiere of the crowdfunded comedy Director's Cut, directed by Adam Rifkin and written by Penn Jillette. Additionally, Slamdance hosted a "Coffee With..." event featuring Rifkin and renowned duo Penn & Teller.[28] The program also featured The Million Dollar Duck directed by Brian Golden Davis, which took home the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for Documentary Feature, and was acquired by Lionsgate and Animal Planet.[29] Highlights also include the documentary film Fursonas by Dominic Rodriguez, which took home the Spirit of Slamdance award and was acquired by Gravitas Ventures.[30] Buddymoon by Alex Simmons, Flula Borg, and David Giuntoli (formerly titled Honey Buddies) took home the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and was acquired by Orion Pictures and Gravitas for theatrical distribution.[31] Featured in the Beyond Program, How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town directed by Jeremy Lalonde was acquired by Gravitas Ventures.[32] A part of the Special Screening program, Let's Be Evil by Martin Owen was acquired by IFC Midnight.[33]
The Jury Award for Narrative Feature was awarded Driftwood, written and directed by Paul Taylor. A Special Mention for Narrative Feature was given to Hunky Dory, directed by Michael Curtis Johnson. A Special Mention for Documentary Feature went to Art of the Prank directed by Andrea Marini, while a Jury Honorable Mention for Experimental Short went to Cup of Stars by CalArts alumni, brothers Tyler and Ryan Betschart.[34]
The 2017 Festival featured the world premiere of the environmental water crisis documentary What Lies Upstream directed by Cullen Hoback.[35] The program also featured Strad Style directed by Stefan Avalos, which took home the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for Documentary Feature. Highlights also include Beyond Feature Neighborhood Food Drive by Jerzy Rose, which took home the Spirit of Slamdance award. Narrative Feature Dave Made a Maze by Bill Watterson took home the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. Future '38 by Jamie Greenberg took home the Audience Award for Beyond Feature, the first to be awarded at the Slamdance Film Festival.
The Jury Award for Narrative Feature was awarded Dim the Fluorescents directed by Daniel Warth. A Special Mention for Narrative Feature was given to Kate Can't Swim directed by Josh Helman. A Special Mention for Documentary Feature went to The Modern Jungle directed by Charles Fairbanks.[36]
Screenplay Competition
In addition to the festival, Slamdance's Screenplay Competition have discovered a number of talented screenwriters, including Joshua Marston (Maria Full of Grace) and Steven Fechter and Nicole Kassell, co-writers of (The Woodsman). In 2008, Slamdance entered into an agreement with Upload Films to develop and produce Drool, the winner of Slamdance's Screenplay Competition. Written and directed by Nancy Kissam, Drool premiered at the 2009 Festival and thereafter was acquired by Strand Releasing.[37] Chad Crawford Kinkle's southern horror screenplay Jug Face won the 2011 Grand Prize. During the 2012 Festival, Modernciné producers Andrew van den Houten and Robert Tonino announced their production of Jug Face in Nashville, Tennessee.
Each year, the winning Short Screenplay is produced by Slamdance and premieres at the film festival as part of the $99 specials which are paired with a non-competition Special Screening. In 2011, Dead in the Room, written by Marjory Kaptanoglu (winner of Slamdance's 2010 Short Screenplay Competition) was directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Adam Pertofsky. In 2012, Harold's Bad Day, written by R.J. Buckley, was directed by Slamdance alum Jordan Brady. The 2011 Grand Prize winner Jug Face, written by Chad Crawford Kinkle, premiered at the 2013 festival, where it was picked up for distribution by Gravitas Ventures.[38]
The Slamdance 2013 Screenwriting Competition was presented by JuntoBox Films. Awards were given to the top three scripts in each category, with a Grand Prize of $10,000 cash that went to Butterfly Children by Melanie Schiele.[39] The Short Screenplay winner Think Ink by Emily Hu was produced and premiered at the 2015 Festival, as part of the Special Screenings section.[39][40]
The 2014 Screenplay Competition saw an original teleplay (Search for Life by Andrea Janakas) take home the Grand Prize. Search for Life was also given the award for Best Original Teleplay, the Best Narrative Feature was given to HF Crum's The 3 Faces of Hunger & Thirst, the Best Horror Screenplay was given to Sean Patrick Geraghty's The Hounds of House Rearden, and the Best Short Screenplay was given to David Shushan's Over the Line (And Far Away). The awards were given at the Writers Guild of America West in Los Angeles.[41]
The 2015 Screenplay Competition received a record breaking 50% increase in submissions, with nearly 3,500 total submissions.[42] Narrative Feature script The Delegation by Shane Andries was awarded the Best Narrative Feature and Grand Prize Award, Best Horror Screenplay was awarded to Speak of the Devil by Jesse J. Cook, Best Short Screenplay was awarded to Deep Storage by Susan Earl, and the Best Teleplay was awarded to Castle Rock by Jamie King. The awards were given at the Writers Guild of America West in Los Angeles for the second time.[42]
The 2016 Screenplay Competition received a record-breaking number of submissions, with 3,600 total scripts submitted.[43] Narrative Feature script Great White Shark by Andrew Kightlinger was awarded the Best Narrative Feature and Grand Prize Award, Best Horror Screenplay was awarded to The Housesitter by Suju Vijayan, Best Short Screenplay was awarded to Conviction by Anju Andre-Bergmann, and Best Teleplay was awarded to Feral by Bryan Kett. The awards were given at the Writers Guild of America West in Los Angeles for the third time.[44] Andrew Kightlinger has received representation from Principato-Young Entertainment and is currently in development on a new narrative feature which focuses on sex trafficking.[45]
The 2017 Screenplay Competition received over 3,000 submissions. Horror Feature "Day Shift" by Tyler Tice was awarded $2,000 for Best Horror Screenplay and $8,000 for the Grand Prize Award. Best Narrative Feature was awarded to Escher by Jason Kessler, Best Short Screenplay was awarded to The Clown-Faced Plumber by Frederick Jones, and Best Teleplay to Jackrabbit by David Schlow. The awards were given at the Writers Guild of America West in Los Angeles for the fourth time.[45]
Slamdance On The Road
The Slamdance organization has established "Slamdance On The Road", a traveling theatrical showcase supported by the film festival organization and its filmmakers. "On the Road" brings popular Slamdance films to audiences that otherwise would not have the chance to see them and provide theatrical venues with an alternative film program experience.[46] "On The Road" events usually take place in US cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Austin, and Detroit,[47] but have also traveled to countries like Canada, China, Poland, France, and Chile.
Slamdance Cinema Club
In 2015, as a further development of its theatrical distribution efforts, Slamdance announced a partnership with ArcLight Hollywood to produce and promote the Slamdance Cinema Club, which features two Slamdance films a month for the first three quarters of 2015.[48]
In 2016, the Slamdance Cinema Club expanded to include programs at ArcLight Chicago while continuing its program in Hollywood.[49]
Slamdance Presents
In January 2010, Slamdance and Microsoft announced its partnership of year-round Slamdance Film programming[50] on Xbox and Zune.
Slamdance president and co-founder Peter Baxter said, “Slamdance has a true independent identity and proven track record of unearthing great films. It's time now to be progressive and unleash our film programs outside of the festival and directly help filmmakers find popular, worldwide audiences. The standard of Slamdance films deserve this much and we believe the audience will respond.”[51]
As of opening day at the 2011 Festival, select Competition Feature Films were made available via Zune Video Marketplace as part of this year's Festival and VOD Showcase for the duration of the festival, January 20–27. Select films included narrative features Modern Imbecile's Planet World, Snow on tha Bluff by Damon Russell, and The Beast Pageant by Albert Birney & Jon Moses; documentary features Road Dogs and Scrapper, as well as films from previous years’ festivals.[52]
In 2013, Slamdance expanded its VOD business onto iTunes, Amazon, Google, Vudu, and PlayStation. Slamdance Studios acquired and released four Slamdance favorites and award winners through Cinedigm/New Video, including Monteith McCollum's Hybrid, Ron Eyal and Eleanor Burke's Stranger Things, Rudd Simmons' The First Season, and Daniel Martinico's OK, Good.[53][54]
Also in 2013, "The Slam Collective" made Slamdance's first collaborative feature film called I Want to Be an American. In the spirit of the surrealist parlor game of chance Exquisite Corpse, 7 Slamdance filmmakers each made a documentary short film based on imagery forwarded on by the previous filmmaker in the chain.[55][56]
In 2014, Slamdance Studios acquired Nicole Teeny's 2013 Sparky Award-winning feature documentary Bible Quiz for a limited theatrical release in major markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Austin, with a wide video release on Netflix, iTunes, and all major video on demand platforms with new partner Virgil Films.[57]
In January 2015, Slamdance Studios launched a streaming program on Hulu that includes Slamdance favorites and independent classics including Marc Levin's Slam, Cullen Hoback's Terms and Conditions May Apply, and Gerard Johnson's Tony.[58] The Slamdance-produced short film "D.I.Y.", featuring conversations with prominent Slamdance alumni Christopher Nolan, Penelope Spheeris, and the Russo brothers also premiered on the platform.[58]
In 2015, Slamdance partnered with filmmakers Steve Yu and Diamond Dallas Page for a theatrical release of The Resurrection of Jake the Snake as the first title for Slamdance Presents, a distribution enterprise dedicated to creating theatrical and other commercial opportunities for independent filmmakers.[59][60] The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake documents the rehabilitation of Jake Roberts and Scott Hall.[61] The film played in markets in the United States and Canada, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.[60] Upon its subsequent VOD release, The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake became the number one documentary on iTunes.[62]
In August 2016, Slamdance Presents launched the week-long release of Claire Carré's sci-fi film, Embers, at ArcLight Hollywood, which led to Carré's nomination for a Film Independent Spirit Someone to Watch Award.[63]
In 2017, Slamdance Presents acquired four award-winning and critically acclaimed films now available on VOD: Driftwood by Paul Taylor, Dead Hands Dig Deep by Jai Love, Without by Mark Jackson, and The Ground We Won by Christopher Pryor.[64]
Slamdance Digital, Interactive & Gaming (DIG)
In 2015, Slamdance integrated digital, interactive, and immersive art into its program with the launch of DIG.[65] DIG opened at Big Pictures Los Angeles on December 4, 2015, and showcased cutting-edge works in the field of digital storytelling.[65]
Featured projects included Pry by Tender Claws; The Visitor by James Kaelan, Eve M. Cohen, and Blessing Yen; Sleighting by Rachel Ho; Woman Without Mandolin by Fabiano Mixo; Simulacra by Theo Tagholm; Thumper by Drool; Memory of a Broken Dimension by XRA; Apoptosis by Kytten Janae; Line Wobbler by Robin Baumgarten; and TL;DR [the shape of the internet (Orgy)] by Theo Triantafyllidis.[66]
In 2016, Slamdance DIG continued into its second iteration, expanding its program with the creative input of Dekker Dreyer and virtual reality network Littlstar.[67] Featured projects included (THREE² x 3P2:VR) by Float (Kate Parsons & Ben Vance); Bad News by Expressive Intelligence Studio ([James Ryan, Ben Samuel, & Adam Summerville); Infinit-O by Corazon Del Sol; Manifold Garden by William Chyr; Natural History by Lillian Mehrel; Soundstage by Logan Olson; The Magic Dance Mirror by Kyle Ruddick; and You Must Be 18 or Older to Enter by Seemingly Pointless.[68] DIG opened at Big Pictures Los Angeles on December 2, 2016, and then again at the Slamdance Film Festival in January 2017.[68]
In 2017, Slamdance DIG featured artists from South Africa, Poland, and beyond. Projects included Brief Excursion by Aaron Oldenburg; BVOVB: Bruising Vengeance of the Vintage Boxer by Michal Rostocki; Dujanah by Jack King-Spooner; Everything is going to be OK by alienmelon (Nathalie Lawhead); F.L.O.W. (Future Ladies of Wrestling) by Jennifer Juniper Stratford of Telefantasy Studios; Laser Non Laser by Jeanette Bonds of GLAS Animation; Nour by Terrifying Jellyfish (aka TJ Hughes); Semblance by Nyamakop (Cukia Kimani and Ben Myres); Sundays with Absalon by John Vanderhoef; Super Void by Sam Weiss (Shnabubula) and John Donohue Bell (Lazy Brain Games); The Game: The Game by Angela Washko; ULTRA ADHD (Amazing Death and Huge Destruction) by Alon “DancingEngie” Karmi. DIG opened at Big Pictures Los Angeles, December 1, 2017.[69]
Select projects, including The Game: The Game, BVOB: Bruising Vengeance of the Vintage Boxer, and [The (De)escalation Room by Columbia University's Digital Storytelling Lan with Lance Weiler and Nicholas Fortugno[70] will be featured at the 2018 Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Guerrilla Games Competition controversy
The festival used to host a computer and video game competition called "Slamdance Guerrilla Games Competition".
In January 2007, the festival for the first time dropped a finalist. The game Super Columbine Massacre RPG! was announced as a finalist in late November 2006, but the controversial game was dropped by Slamdance founder Peter Baxter with no outside pressure as initially reported.[71] In response to this 6 other finalists withdrew from the competition in protest, Jonathan Blow withdrew Braid,[72] thatgamecompany withdrew Flow,[72] Waking Games withdrew Once Upon a Time,[73] the developers for Toblo withdrew their game (however, on January 16 the college which they attend, the DigiPen Institute of Technology against their wishes "overwrote our decision and readmitted Toblo to the Slamdance Festival", because the developers did not consult the college prior to their withdrawal decision),[74] Queasy Games withdrew Everyday Shooter,[75] Nick Montfort withdrew Book and Volume,[76] and The Behemoth withdrew Castle Crashers.[77] The University of Southern California has also withdrawn its sponsorship of Slamdance over this controversy.[78]
On 26 January 2007, the date the game awards were to be presented, a panel discussion with the remaining finalists resulted in the withdrawal of the "Official Jury Selection" for all finalists, and no awards were handed out.[79] The competition has not been held since.
Growth of festival
Slamdance continued to create new avenues for its filmmakers expanding beyond Park City during the festival by creating the annual Filmmaker Summit in 2010.
In 2011, Slamdance presented the second annual Filmmaker Summit, along with the Ford Foundation, Indieflix, and Banyan Branch, bringing together some of the most innovative thinkers in the industry. Speakers included Scilla Andreen (Indieflix), Tiffany Shlain (Director of Connected, Yelp), Brian Newman (Sub-Genre Media), Jenny Samppala (Banyan Branch), Amy Powell (Paranormal Activity), Lance Weiler (Pandemic 1.0), John Anderson (Variety), Orlando Bagwell (Ford Foundation), and Greg Pak (Robot Stories and Hulk comic book scribe).
At the 2011 Festival, Slamdance launched a Student Initiative program involving both students and their faculty to help them gain a greater understanding of the current realities and opportunities in independent film.
In 2014, Slamdance celebrated its 20th anniversary and welcomed back alumnus Christopher Nolan where he was presented with the Founders Award.
In 2015, Slamdance partnered with emerging digital cinema camera company Digital Bolex to produce and promote a short film competition utilizing Digital Bolex's D16 Digital Cinema Camera. Films in the competition included work from Slamdance alumni, including Paul Rachman, Ntare Mwine, Marie Jamora, Nedra McClyde, along with films by Elle Schneider, Lindsey Haun, and Seed&Spark & Bright Ideas Magazine's tribute to Jean-Luc Godard's Alphaville, starring Caitlin FitzGerald.[80]
Slamdance also partnered with Zealot Networks in 2015, bringing an in-depth "Coffee With..." chat with former Maker Studios CEO Danny Zappin. Zappin explored his beginnings as an early-adopter of D.I.Y. digital distribution through YouTube, further talking with filmmakers about developing a platform for success through social media.
When the Festival began, it received 48 submissions. As of 2015, Slamdance receives over 7,500 submissions per annum and is now known as a significant festival of discovery.[81] Filmmakers who showcased their first feature films at Slamdance have gone on to have a collective worldwide box office gross of more than $10.618 billion.[82]
In October 2017, Slamdance announced the launch of the inaugural Russo Brothers Fellowship Award. Slamdance alumni Anthony and Joe Russo (Welcome to Collinwood, Captain America: Civil War) have partnered with Slamdance to further develop the mission of the artist-led organization with their inaugural Fellowship Award. The award winner will receive a $25,000 cash prize and mentorship from the Russos in the development of the winner's next project at the brothers' new Los Angeles-based studio. Every participating filmmaker at the 2018 Festival is eligible for this prize. The award will be presented annually to a new recipient at the Slamdance Film Festival.[83]
Both Russo brothers will be the recipients of the Founders Award, presented to alumni who continue to support the indie spirit of the festival well into their careers, at the 24th edition of the film festival.[70] The 24th Slamdance Film Festival took place from January 19–25, 2018 in Park City, Utah.
The organization behind the Slamdance Film Festival and ArcLight Cinemas announced the launch of Emergence, a four-day festival of screenings, workshops, panels, and happy hours. Emergence took place from March 26–29, 2020 at the ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood.[84]
Pop culture
Slamdance was referenced in the season 19 episode of The Simpsons entitled "Any Given Sundance",[85] and also referenced in the series finale of Glee on March 20, 2015.[86] In 2017, Slamdance was referenced in the season 6 episode of Girls entitled "Gummies" by alum Lena Dunham.[87]
See also
References
- "About". Slamdance.com.
- "Slamdance" (PDF). Slamdance.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
- "Slamdance". Slamdance.com. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
- "The New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2005-12-20.
- Lyons, Charles; Lyons, Charles (2019-01-24). "Slamdance Is 25 Years Old, and Still Maintains the Spirit of an Unruly Teenager". IndieWire. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
- "Peter Baxter, Slamdance". Retrieved 2 September 2012.
- Vasquez Jr., Felix (January 25, 2008). "Slamdance Gut Punch: Paranormal Activity…". Film Threat. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
- Fritz, Ben. "'Paranormal Activity' sets box-office record". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- "Paranormal Activity". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
- https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/dear-zachary-a-letter-to-a-son-about-his-father-1200548699/
- "A Quiet Little Marriage". ifcfilms.com. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- "Slamdance Unveils 2010 Lineup". indiewire.com.com. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
- "A REPORT FROM THE SLAMDANCE/OPEN VIDEO COALITION FILMMAKER SUMMIT". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- "The Filmmaker Summit Returns to Slamdance". Open Video Alliance. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- Swart, Sharon (2010-01-28). "Slamdance announces winners". Variety. Retrieved 2010-01-28.
- "PARANORMAL ACTIVITY AND INSIDIOUS PRODUCERS REMAKING ATROCIOUS". Twitch Film. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- "Phase 4 Films Acquires High School Comedy 'Bindlestiffs' for Kevin Smith's Banner". Retrieved 2012-07-29.
- Jr, Mike Fleming (21 January 2013). "Sundance: Gravitas Ventures Nabs Trio Of Slamdance Films". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Film Threat". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Oldham, Stuart (19 January 2014). "Christopher Nolan at Slamdance: 'I've Only Ever Been Driven By Story'". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance Film Festival Awards and Acquisitions - ScreenCraft". 25 January 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "'Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World': Slamdance Review". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Lang, Brent (12 March 2015). "New Line Nabs 'Batkid' Documentary Distribution, Future Film Rights (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Thecredits.org
- "Slamdance: Shout! Factory Sinks Fangs Into Dr. God's Vampire Comedy 'Bloodsucking Bastards' (Exclusive)". 29 January 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Barker, Andrew (21 January 2015). "Slamdance Hits 21 With Sense of Anarchy Intact". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "2015 Slamdance Winners Announced". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Parkrecord.com". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Prudom, Laura (25 January 2016). "'Million Dollar Duck' Doc Acquired by Animal Planet and Lionsgate". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Lincoln, Ross A. (22 January 2016). "Gravitas Sews Up Slamdance Furry Subculture Docu 'Fursonas'". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Lincoln, Ross A. (31 March 2016). "Gravitas Ventures Travels With Slamdance Audience Winner 'Buddymoon'". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Pedersen, Erik (23 March 2016). "Gravitas Hooks Up 'How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town', Sets Release Date". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "IFC Augments Reality With 'Let's Be Evil' - Bloody Disgusting". bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance: 'The Million Dollar Duck' Wins Top Audience, Jury Documentary Feature Awards". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Murthi, Vikram (14 December 2016). "'What Lies Upstream' Selected To Be Slamdance Festival Opening Night Film". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- McNary, Dave (27 January 2017). "'Dim the Fluorescents,' 'Strad Style' Win Slamdance Awards (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Strand Releasing to Drool all over US". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- "Gravitas Ventures Releasing 'Jug Face' On VOD Before Theatrical Roll Out - Bloody Disgusting". bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- McNary, Dave (10 October 2013). "Slamdance Screenplay Prize Won By 'Butterfly Children'". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Reilly, Travis (2014-12-08). "Slamdance Unveils Remaining 2015 Lineup (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
- "2014 Slamdance Screenplay Competition Announces Awards; Winning... - Slamdance". slamdance.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "2015 Slamdance Screenplay Competition Announces Awards; Shane... - Slamdance". slamdance.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- McNary, Dave (7 October 2016). "'Great White Shark' Wins Slamdance Writing Prize". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance 2016 Writing Competition Announces Winners; Andrew... - Slamdance". slamdance.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- McNary, Dave (14 October 2017). "Vampire Story 'Day Shift' Wins Slamdance Writing Competition". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Staff, Indiewire (21 September 2011). "Slamdance Announces "On The Road" Tour". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance on the Road". Houston Press. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- McNary, Dave (18 February 2015). "Slamdance, ArcLight Cinemas Partnering for Cinema Club". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "ArcLight's Slamdance Cinema Club Expands to Chicago". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Kilday, Gregg (2010-10-13). "Slamdance inks deal with Microsoft". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
- "Slamdance Pacts With Microsoft For VOD". Indiewire. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- Knegt, Peter (12 January 2011). "Slamdance Extends VOD and Theatrical Distribution; Launches Second Filmmaker Summit". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "SLAMDANCE STUDIOS EXPANDS COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE WITH VOD RELEASE OF... - Slamdance". slamdance.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Holloway, Clint (9 October 2013). "Slamdance Studios Set to Release 'OK, Good'". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance Film Review: I Want To Be An American – SLUG Magazine". 22 January 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2013 SPECIAL SCREENINGS PROGRAM AND... - Slamdance". slamdance.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slam Studios: BIBLE QUIZ - Slamdance". showcase.slamdance.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Cipriani, Casey (28 January 2015). "Slamdance Studios Launches Film Collection on Hulu". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance goes to the mat, launching 'The Resurrection of Jake the Snake'". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- McNary, Dave (18 August 2015). "Slamdance to Release 'Resurrection of Jake the Snake'". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- ""The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake" Is As Real As Wrestling Gets". 10 November 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "How Self-Distributed Documentary 'The Resurrection of Jake the Snake' Hit #1 on iTunes". 10 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (22 November 2016). "Spirit Awards Nominations: 'Moonlight', 'American Honey', 'Manchester' & 'Jackie' Rally". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Winfrey, Graham (5 May 2017). "Film Acquisition Rundown: Focus Features Picks Up 'Tully,' Electric Entertainment Buys 'LBJ' and More". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Saad, Nardine. "Slamdance Film Festival adds digital, gaming components with DIG - Los Angeles Times". latimes.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Sharf, Zack (16 November 2015). "Exclusive: Slamdance to Unveil DIG Interactive Digital Showcase in December". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance Film Festival, Clever Fox and Littlstar Encourage VR Submissions for Event". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Anderson, Tre'vell. "Slamdance announces lineup for second Digital, Interactive and Gaming showcase - Los Angeles Times". latimes.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "Slamdance DIG Interactive Digital Showcase Announces 2017 Lineup - Slamdance". slamdance.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- N'Duka, Amanda (19 December 2017). "Russo Brothers To Be Honored At Slamdance 2018; Special Screenings Program Lineup Unveiled". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- McCauley, Dennis (6 January 2007). "More Details & Reaction Emerge on Slamdance Festival & Super Columbine Game". GamePolitics.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
- McCauley, Dennis (7 January 2007). "Developer Pulls Out of Festival Competition in Protest over Super Columbine Decision". GamePolitics.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2007-01-09.
- "HugeDomains.com - WakingGames.com is for sale (Waking Games)". onceuponatime.wakinggames.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- An Open Letter to the Slamdance Festival Archived 2010-06-27 at the Wayback Machine
- "Everyday Shooter by Jonathan Mak". www.everydayshooter.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Grand Text Auto » Book and Volume Withdrawn from Slamdance
- "Slamdance Update". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Ludicidal Tendencies: USC Interactive Media Division Withdraws Slamdance Sponsorship Archived 2010-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
- Slamdance Game Competition Ends in Dissolution Archived 2009-08-16 at the Wayback Machine
- "Website is under construction". DigitalBolex.com -. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Harris, Brandon. "Critic's Notebook: Slamdance 2013, Part One - Filmmaker Magazine". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Mirvish, Dan. "Slamdance's Big Footprint in Hollywood: First-time Directors Have Grossed $10.618 Billion - Filmmaker Magazine". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "The Russo Brothers, Slamdance partner on filmmaking fellowship". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Carson, Rene (25 January 2020). "Arclight Cinemas and Slamdance launch Emergence screening series". Film Fetish. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "The Simpsons: Lisa Turns Her Camera On". 5 May 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- "TV Recaps". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Vulture.com