This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Sundance Institute Creative Producing Summit in Sundance, UT. The Producer’s Summit is an invitation-only event for 40 producer and director Fellows associated with the Sundance Lab programs for Feature & Documentary filmmaking. I was invited to attend as one of the 20 industry Panelists who spent the weekend in session with the Fellows.

The agenda was packed with series of events including one-on-one meetings between Fellows and Panelists, round table discussions on a variety of topics, pitch sessions, and large panels addressing issues facing the independent film market. The focus of this year’s Summit was film distribution – traditional, alternative, and new models.

A highlight of the Summit for me was a very lively closing night panel on distribution, moderated by Sundance Film Festival Director John Cooper, with a panel including Submarine Entertainment’s Josh Braun, Oscilloscope Pictures co-founder David Fenkel, Sundance Channel SVP Lynne Kirby, Magnolia Pictures SVP Tom Quinn, IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring, CRM Marketing & Programming head Matt Dentler, and myself.

At moments, it felt like an episode of MTV’s “The Real World: Sundance” (cue serious voiceover: “This is the true story of seven strangers picked for a panel… to find out what happens when people stop being polite – and start getting real.”) But while each of our companies has a different model of distribution, it was clear we all share a passion for finding new ways to introduce audiences to great films. What was also clear is that with our industry – and the World – facing an economic crisis unlike any other in our lifetime, new models are absolutely needed. As one panelist pointed out, “the people who did it the old way are all gone now – but we’re still here.”

This was my first time at the Institute, and it was amazing to be surrounded by such a passionate group of people. After the one-on-ones and pitch sessions with Fellows, I now have another 20 films I need to see. And after sitting on the series of panels and round tables, I have even more respect for my fellow Panelists. Thanks to all the Sundance folks for an incredible event – I’m already looking forward to next year.

- Chris

(For more coverage of the Summit, check out Craig Emanuel’s speech at the opening night panel. The transcript is available at indieWIRE.)

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