This case is not closed.
The first thing we notice is that the interviewer Faith Salie states that these are the programmers’” so we know for a fact that these 6 people are in fact the film programmers.
When asked about “define what program means, “does that just mean you choose the films” John Cooper states that “we choose the films in the “end”.
Meaning specifically that they do not in fact watch the film submissions themselves, they are filtered through. By who?
This is the only response we have received so far to answer this question.
They have like 60-70 people watching these films for them. You can take that for whatever it’s worth, but any idiot knows that 6 people can’t watch that many films all by themselves. You’re not uncovering any new information here, jackass. They hire a ton of people to watch them, and then the programmers watch all of the ones that those folks liked well enough to pass along. Actual e-mail.
This next piece of information that requires our attention is that John Cooper goes on to state that the “next phase is “making sure that all the films come into the office”.
Meaning specifically “paid submissions” ( 12,000 for 2012) keep coming in the mail from without a box ( mandatory on-line submission service). Just keep them coming, they want your money.
We know that these films do not get watched and we also know that filmmakers who are established such as Kevin Smith and Ridley Scott do not have to submit their films through the mail, or without a box, even though we have been informed that “Yes they all do”. (Johns assistant) be assured, this is not factual and is a “lie”.
I was always curious to know who in the world actually views all those submissions & always wondered if they get to all of them. It’s reality in this industry & I’m glad that the idea was actually put into a creative vision. Reviewing your website gave me more insight as to what really goes on, Thank you.
I’ve listened to a lot of people complain that they keep submitting films and find out that it was never even shown at film festivals and I personally wondered if there would be a way to expose those bastards for cheating hard working people out of their money with false hopes and broken promises. Thank you.
In this next video clip we are informed that the programmers are not simply working in “chilly January”, but are working ” year around” to which all of them answer, “yes!”.
This is a contradiction. Working at what? Are they researching about independent films? Are they actually reaching out and contacting unknown filmmakers from youtube, vimeo, film forums? The answer is no.
Both John Cooper and Shari Frilot were sent e-mails, and were made well aware of an independent film that was produced, written, directed, by a husband and wife filmmaker team, that completed a 3 part trilogy film that was completed with no money, and without even a film crew. E- mails were sent regarding the film, and also magazine articles, television news clips, video trailers, and yet neither one of them responded with any interest. They do not “work year around”. And none of the other 4 programmers who were also aware of the film supported it either.
This is also a lie. They not only don’t watch the films, they don’t care about true independent filmmakers or their films.
John Cooper’s “Twitter Account” reveals below and proves for a fact that he is in fact traveling around the world, looking for other films from other well established film festival’s in OTHER COUNTRIES; that have won awards or have been accepted.
I previously held a position for several years as one of the programers for one of the largest film festivals in the U.S. and although I am ashamed to say, you are correct in your intuition and assumptions, most all are corrupted, I am not sure what drew me to this, or why I would be telling you this, except for the fact that it feels a bit liberating to tell the truth, and looking back I often wonder about some of the really good films that should have made it in, but never got the chance, I would be willing to share some stories with you.
The next clip reveals there are over 800 feature films submitted in “each category”.
The question is; “Is every single one watched”?
The answer is “yes” by all 6 programmers.
The next question is “Do you swear to God” to which we are informed “absolutely”.
And then we are informed that “Not by us, not exactly by us”.
The question here is, how can you answer “absolutely” stating as a fact that something is absolutely watched, if you yourself doesn’t actually watch them?
How can you “swear to God”. I could only swear to God by my “own actions” not someone else. An absolute lie.
Another important observation is to watch unrehearsed interviews, which reveals body language and also facial expressions.
Faith Salie is actually a singer, comedian, actress, and as she is asking these questions, even she looks a bit confused and perplexed to say the least trying to understand the discrepancies between yes, no, well actually, no, not exactly, and absolutely…. not us.?
This next clip Caroline Libresco quickly steps in to provide a more detailed and accurate version of this discrepancy.
” It’s kinda like a studio where you get scripts in and get them “covered”.
First of all if I was a head programmer for a well established institution as Sundance, that is taking over 12,000 film submissions, and over half a million dollars from filmmakers submission fees, and I don’t think I would be explaining a serious process as “kinda like”.
Or is it kinda like, fraud, kinda like theft, kinda like, scam?
I think if this were being taken seriously by these 6 people, someone would have had something more cohesively to explain.
Such as a definitive breakdown on “how the process proceeds and how are 12,000 films taken “seriously into consideration”?
The answer is they are not. It is clear by the explanation that this is just a very lame attempt to get off the subject and move on to the next question. Notice how no one else adds anything to the mix? They have no imput, no insight in the selection process because as the judge said, “if you cannot prove Sundance doesn’t watch at least 30 seconds…”
These “Big Name” festivals are collection huge sums of money and are screwing the small independent filmmakers they are supposed to be protecting and promoting. The whole point of these festivals were to promote the people that work hard and love the art, to keep the Hollywood cartel out unless they wanted to buy and promote the strongest of the independents. Now you cant go anywhere in sundance without finding some “indie” film that has well know actors or directors. It is a disgrace!!
Once again, listen to the process, “it’s kinda like a “studio” that gets scripts in.”
For those who don’t know, “studios” means translation>Hollywood.
Studios and Hollywood do not look at or read scripts. They do not “cover scripts” they send them back. Years ago they USE TO throw them out, but not anymore because then anyone could say “they stole my script”, they don’t even open them.
You cannot get your scripts to “Studios” because of legal implications they do not read them.
If you ever HAVE sent your script to a “studio” you know for a fact that your envelope will be returned in the mail, with a big red stamp that states your package was NEVER received and or opened, this is due to copyright protection, and the fact that they don’t want or need your scripts, what they want you to do is spend your money and time on buying books, attending seminars on trying to figure out “how to get your scripts read”.
Here is the facts; No one will look at a script, if you do not have an agent, you must have an agent. And no agent will represent you if you are not established or know someone.
Doe’s this sound similar to the Sundance “kind like”?
Sound like a “catch 22″? It is. Its a game.
And so is the Sundance catch 22. They ARE like a studio that gets scripts in! Only they don’t NEED to return your films, unlike the script returns, because they know your ill-informed and you will continue to send them money every time you make another film.
The joke is on you.
Then Caroline explains, “So we get every film “covered” ( re-watch)
and explains that this is “The first round” and uses her hand as a gesture to explain that “and then they make their way to us”.
The “first round” Caroline states, remember is those “tons of folks who watch the films, 60 or 70? Interpretation> (Were not really sure, we are not really sure who these people are, but we pretend to evaluate them.)
It is stated that “We have to find 125 features.”
Rest assured that all 6 of these people do not prepare for next years festival without having known, or have already decided on what each one of them WANTS.
During these “off month’s” they are all aware of all the established filmmakers projects in “the works”. In production, post production, editing, etc.
That is why Kevin Smith was already excepted into Sundance when he was still in production with his film “Red State” when the “deadline submissions had passed”.
And because filmmakers must pay an extra fee for a late submission, this is fraud and theft because what difference does it make if they are late?
Ridley Scott and Kevin’s films are announced way in advance they are “premiering”
at the festival, and there films ARE LATE, so by charging extra money for a late submission is theft.
The rules do NOT apply to these filmmakers.
Also it doesn’t make a difference sure they have to have 125 features but guess who wins the awards?
Sundance’s previous film’s “Another World”, and “Beast’s of the Southern Wild“, are not “pure discovery’s”.
These are in fact Sundance lab and institute films, some financed, and some developed by the Institute itself.
These films were awarded best in several categories, and also awarded money.
That’s your money filmmakers, given back to their pockets!
( more in detail about these fraud films on the press page)
Does this make logical sense, and is it fair?
“I had my attorney look over these “terms” when submitting to film festivals’ through “without a box” and was shocked to learn that filmmakers do in fact give away their rights. Seems to me that Sundance and the other 7000 film festivals’ are all in this together, including IMDB and Amazon, which now explains why my film is for sale on Amazon, without my knowing, or permission. Once what was only a film submission is now up for sale, and I don’t receive one penny of it!
And Indiewire, or Filmmaker Magazine doesn’t mention any of this?
Sounds like a big scam and cover-up. I won’t bother with any film festivals’ anymore, hope you guys get your film out the public needs to know about tis outrage, and thanks for posting” John P.
This will prove how corrupt Sundance is. Kevin Smiths film is already accepted to Sundance 2013. The film slots as we always said are TAKEN!PROOF ( the last link, Sundance must have requested they remove the article, because they try hard to cover this up, the link was gone but here is another one)
Here is a long extensive conversation with Adam Montgomery who was the puppet on the stand for the lawsuit regarding Sundance Institute.
As a filmmaker you should gain some insight and knowledge. Question here at this link is; why would someone put so much time and energy into a posting “blog” defending something so sacred to them?
Find out> http://filmfestjunkie.blogspot.com/
Because Sundance admits it doesn’t have to watch the films submitted, I believe the floodgates will now open. Thank you Sundance!
I am flabbergasted, outraged, looks like Sundance found their little ‘loop hole’ and this is the icing on the cake, when we are all dead and gone, our films will be selling on Amazon sold by Amazon, what a joke, great job Redford! Travis
” Indiewire won’t report this, they and the others receive money from advertisers like Fullsail and other facades under one big roof, the vultures awaiting all those 10′s of thousands of filmmakers who think they are going to be the next big thing” Brandon
” in the video they say, yes, and then say no, well actually no, what the hell? And what is Adam Montgomery? Damage control? This is who they sent to represent Sundance at the hearing for the lawsuit? You’ve got to be kidding?” Heather
“Sundance has actually stated that they hire many people to screen the films for them, and that they can’t watch 12,000 films but isn’t that equivalent to walking up to a stranger and giving them 100.00 and asking them what their opinion is?” filmguy
“WTF? Their all traveling, who and what do these people do? So for over 12 years now I have been submitting and not ONE of my films makes it? Man do I feel stupid.
And I just saw the news you posted about Kevin Smith’s film already up for a 2013 premiere at Sundance Holy @$$%, is there a class action lawsuit, because I want in, give me all my money back?” Michael
To the above post; try asking for your film back, you won’t get it. Why isn’t this in the news anywhere?” filmguy
This is the only response we have received from Sundance.
This is directed toward that white trash moron Billy Yeager (a.k.a. all of you). No Film Festival in the world claims to have programmers who watch all 10,000 submissions. They have like 60-70 people watching these films for them. You can take that for whatever it’s worth, but any idiot knows that 6 people can’t watch that many films all by themselves. You’re not uncovering any new information here, jackass. They hire a ton of people to watch them, and then the programmers watch all of the ones that those folks liked well enough to pass along.
Nobody is trying to hide this fact.
Furthermore, your father was a drunk, your aunt was a slut, and you’re just a washed-up wannabe who lives in a trailer with a broken toilet, so up yours, cocksucker! And be sure to keep up the libel, slander, identity fraud and extortion– if you pile up enough of that shit, it’ll be much easier to send you where you belong.
LETTERS
This is a horrendous instance of corporate geed and corruption. You have identified the problem and pointed the way towards a more sustainable path for artists. It is a very important project that will hopefully reach a huge audience and then the boycotts will begin. It’s so crazy but after I watched the trailer, it all seemed so obvious. The epiphany.
Hello; I submitted my student short film to sun dance in 2005.. they said it was good but not good enough and they stole the whole story and changed it enough so i lost rights to the film.
Walter L. Weisman, Sundance board of trustees, is a Rockefeller partner. This alone is enough to raise eyebrows;
I have viewed the site and am cognizant of the film’s subject—questioning the validity of Sundance as a truly free and independent film festival. Understandably this is a controversial topic which meeker filmmakers would shy away from due to fear of repercussions. However I find it refreshing that there are people who want to challenge the status quo and potentially extrapolate a disconcerting truth. Given my time working in the film industry, and my familiarity with frustrating festival circuits, I want to understand where exactly does the money go with an established festival such as Sundance. More so I wish that this kind of project would not only be seen but also be the catalyst for a positive change.
I have worked with LA film festival’s and know a little about the corruption involved and how certain videos are being pushed through because of contact instead of content, I know that this scam exists and I know what is actually really happening like all of us now know.
Reposted>
