As Sundance Kicks Off, the Specialty Film Biz Confronts an Uncertain Future
Gregg Goldstein, provided by
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As the 2021 Sundance Film Festival kicks off, the survival of independent and specialty films in theaters has never been more uncertain. Even when theaters fully reopen after COVID-19 vaccines roll out and the pandemic ends, how can arthouse pics survive amidst competition from similar films with A-list stars bowing on streamers and majestic franchise fare?
“There’s going to be strain on the marketplace,” says Peter Kujawski, Focus Features chairman. “How many theaters are going to struggle to reopen? How many films will find a large enough audience to justify the initial theatrical release?”
Image Credit: Film Festival Alliance
The Film Festival Alliance and Theatrical-At-Home presents its first Film Festival Day virtual screening event of 2021 following the culmination of the hugely successful FilmEx gathering event including 850 participating film festivals and film organizations with Ashley OâShayâs inspiring documentary UNAPOLOGETIC with a special Filmmaker Q&A on Saturday, January 16. FFAâs Film Festival Day screenings, which were launched last year to great effect, benefit both the filmmakers and each of the participating film festivals across the country with a share of the eveningâs proceeds. Support for the event also comes from Firelight Films and Kartemquin Films.