Strangely, the details of the 2012 Sundance ShortsLabs passed us by when they were announced a couple of weeks ago. (Particularly strange as both Scott and I are involved in panels at the NYC event in June!) So, I’m playing catch up now by posting the info on the workshops, including the first to be held in Seattle, which is currently undergoing an indie filmmaking renaissance.

So, from the press release, here’s the skinny on this year’s excellent events:

ShortsLabs offer filmmakers first-hand insight and access into the world of short filmmaking through panels and sessions with industry representatives, as well as Sundance Institute staff and alumni, on story development, production and exhibition of shorts. Featured participants for the series (vary by city) include Antonio Campos, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Durkin, Hal Hartley, Nicole Kassell, Josh Leonard, Brit Marling, Adepero Oduye, Nick Offerman and Lynn Shelton. Following the ShortsLab, attendees can stay connected with the Sundance Institute community through a monthly email with job opportunities, crew needs, and links to recommended shorts.

Notable Institute alumni who started their careers with short films are Wes Anderson, Todd Haynes, Spike Jonze, Debra Granik, Paul Thomas Anderson, David O. Russell, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Tamara Jenkins, and Jason Reitman.

Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, “ShortsLabs are an extension of the more intensive filmmaking Labs Sundance Institute has hosted for more than three decades. ShortsLabs give filmmakers the opportunity to improve their storytelling techniques, learn about the world of production, and explore platforms to showcase their work in an environment that celebrates and fosters individual voices.”

Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, added, “Fueled by the enthusiastic response from last years ShortsLabs we are thrilled to do them again in New York and Los Angeles. We are especially looking forward to hosting our first one in Seattle, an area with a vibrant cinema history and a wealth of emerging filmmaking talent.”

In advance of ShortsLab: NYC on Saturday, June 16, Rooftop Films will host a screening of short films the previous day (Friday, June 15) at Open Road Rooftop (Lower East Side), 350 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002. The screening is open to the public, regardless of whether they plan to attend ShortsLab: NYC the following day. Tickets to the screening are available at http://www.rooftopfilms.com/.

ShortsLab: NYC

Saturday, June 16

10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

BAM

Tickets: $150

Featured participants to include: Ilya Chaiken, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Kassell, Scott Macaulay, Adepero Oduye (schedule permitting), Hal Hartley, Brit Marling, Matthew M. Ross, Mike S. Ryan and the Borderline Films team: Antonio Campos, Michael Simmonds, Sean Durkin, Josh Mond and Zachary Stuart-Pontier

 

ShortsLab: Seattle

Sunday, July 15

12:00 p.m. – 5::30 p.m.

SIFF Cinema

Tickets: $75

Featured participants to include: Ben Kasulke, Lynn Shelton and more to be announced

 

ShortsLab: LA

August (date and venue to be announced)

Tickets: $150

Featured participants to include: Azazel Jacobs, Joshua Leonard, Nicholas McCarthy, Nick Offerman, Matt Ross and more to be announced