Apologies for this site being all about Sundance these last seven days, but, truth be told, not much is currently happening in the movie world. The future is uncertain for the potential of there even being a return to theatres this year. An all-digital Sundance was just what the doctor ordered, even if there was an expected dip in quality this year.
As expected, Sian Heder’s “Coda” won big. It was the film that helped the festival maintain its relevance during this strange all-virtual edition. Heder’s film was part of a heated bidding war between Netflix and Apple TV, the latter eventually won the streaming rights by shelling a record-breaking $25 million (they overpaid if you ask me).
The other big acquisition of the festival was NEON getting the critically acclaimed “Flee,” which ended up winning the Grand Jury Prize in the World Documentary section. Other than that, the acquisitions were almost non-existent at the fest. With the absence of A24 this year, not to mention Netflix being oddly quiet in its lack of spending, attention will now be turned over to Berlin and SXSW in March.
Among the just-announced Sundance ’21 awards: (a) US Dramatic Audience Award: Coda (d: Sian Heder); (b) Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble: Coda; (c) Directing Award: Sian Heder, Coda; (d) Grand Jury Prize: Coda (d: Sian Heder)