Director Miles Levin’s “Spotlight” received the prestigious Polish Film Institute Award at the US Film Festival’s industry event “US in Progress”, as well as a $50,000 cash prize for post-production in Poland.
“Working on it has been an incredibly rewarding and inspiring project. Miles is a force of nature with a clear vision and relentless drive to bring this story to life,” said Natalie Metzger, Vice President of Production and Development at Vanishing Angle.
“I am very honored to produce and be part of the US in Progress program. There is nothing like this program in America, so we are very grateful that it exists. It is a desperate need for American independent filmmakers.”
“This film has been a 10-year journey, and to have the support of US in Progress to help it shine was very meaningful,” Levine added.
In the film, starring indie stars Nick Offerman, Lake Bell, Mark Duplass, and Randall Park, a teenage boy (Pierce Guza) suffers from epilepsy — and prom is fast approaching. His mother refuses to let him out of her sight, but he longs to be like everyone else.
Also noted was Pete Ohs’ “Erupcja,” about two women reconnecting in Warsaw — featuring “Brat Summer” mastermind Charli
“Charli’s initial pitch was that one character spoke Polish, the other didn’t, and there would be something to do with volcanoes. Fortunately, she responded positively to the opportunity to travel to Warsaw and shoot a little film. We connected in the spring and Brat Summer hadn’t started yet, but she knew Indeed, she wants to get more acting experiences. diverse.
“She assured me that she is not very famous, and although she is appreciated on a daily basis, all the Polish fans were polite and respectful, and we never had any problems. I loved filming in Poland and would gladly do it again.”
“Erupcja” is produced by Luke Arreguin, Josh Godfrey, Jeremy O. Harris, Charli XCX and Ohs, who moved to Warsaw last year.
“For at least a decade, I have wanted to try directing a film in another language as a challenge and experiment. The move made this idea more realistic. The stars aligned for the Polish project to also be a Charli XCX adventure.
Amanda Kramer’s “By Design” surprised audiences with a story about a woman who swaps bodies for a chair and everyone loves her more.
Juliette Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Robin Tunney and even Udo Kier star, while Miranda Bailey, Sarah Winshall, Jacob Agger, and Natalie Wallen produce for Cold Iron Pictures and Smudge Films. Kramer’s previous film, “Please Baby Please,” opened with Andrea Riseborough at IFFR.
Other awards went to Katarina Chu’s “Bunnylovr”, about a cam girl who receives an unexpected gift of fur, which ultimately won four awards, and Mark Webber’s “Figments of Freedom” – in which an ex-Marine, suffering from an identity crisis, goes on the run. From his escape. Across the United States – and Keith Miller’s “Lucas and Iris,” about two teenagers who strive to become environmentalists.
Also screened were Joseph Marconi’s “Baby Love,” about an MMA fighter, Paula Gonzalez Nasser’s drama “The Scout,” about a weary location scout in New York, and Sabrina Greco’s “Lockjaw.” Finally, a party girl’s jaw was wired shut after she was involved in a drunk driving accident.
“Rena, played by Blue Hunt, is deeply motivated by the shame and embarrassment of her accident and all the accumulated bad decisions she makes throughout the film. Jaw Wires serves as a unique formal challenge,” Greco said.
“Our lead actress needed to give a comedic and emotionally engaging performance, while one of her main acting tools is disabled. It also serves as a story element that leads to frustration and misunderstandings with the people around her. The prosthetic was the first piece of the puzzle in writing the film and I wanted Build a world around what you might feel in this situation.
“This year’s edition of US in Progress is evidence of the great diversity and vitality of current independent film from the United States,” added AFF Director Urszula Sniejewska.
“The successes of our 2023 participants, especially ‘Familiar Touch’ and ‘Good One’, show that our event represents a valuable first-look market for industry insiders looking for new American talent and a starting point for Polish companies’ collaborations with American filmmakers.”
You can find the full list of US in Progress winners here:
“Under the Spotlight” is directed by Miles Levin and produced by Natalie Metzger
A cash award of $50,000 for post-production in Poland, awarded by the Director of the Polish Film Institute
Post-production award of $10,000 from Di Factory
Post-production award of $10,000 from Fixafilm
DCF – Lower Silesia Film Center Award, a scouting tour of locations in Lower Silesia for the producer’s next project
“Bunnylovr” is directed by Katarina Chu and produced by Tristan Scott Behrends, Rhiannon Jones, Roger Mancusi, Annie Schroeder, and Rachel Sinnott.
$10,000 for EarWorks audio design
Post-production award of $10,000 from XANF
Post-production award of $10,000 from Fixafilm
Travel grant to Poland from New Europe Film Sales
“Erupcja” is directed by Pete Oss and produced by Luke Arreguín, Josh Godfrey, Jeremy O. Harris, Pete Oss and Charli XCX
Post-production award of $10,000 from Platige Image
Post-production award of $10,000 from Black Photon
“By Design” is directed by Amanda Kramer and produced by Miranda Bailey, Sarah Winshall, Jacob Agger and Natalie Whalen
Post-production award of $10,000 from ORKA
$10,000 Post Production Audio Award from Soundflower
“Figments of Freedom” directed by Mark Webber, produced by Mark Webber, Sia Furler, and Dustin Hughes.
ATM Virtual Prize for Next Feature Film worth $25,000
“Lockjaw” is directed by Sabrina Greco and produced by Abby Jones, Josh Jason and Molly Gilula
Post-production award of US$10,000 from Wrocław Feature Film Studio
“Scouting” directed by Paula Gonzalez Nasser, produced by Ryan Martin-Brown, Matthew Romanski, and Paula Gonzalez Nasser
Sales consultation from New Europe Film Sales and script consultation for the next project
$5,000 Special Mention Award from Di Factory
“Baby Love” is directed by Joseph Marconi and produced by Lisette Oros and Maury Sterling
$5,000 Special Mention Award from Di Factory
“Lucas and Iris” directed by Keith Miller, produced by Matt Grady, Keith Miller, Joyce Mishan.
A travel grant to Poland from the New Horizons Association