Sundance Film Festival

Press Release: New York City Salutes its Presence at Sundance Film Festival

“Made in NY” productions once again have a leading role at this year‘s Sundance Film Festival. The Mayor‘s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting congratulates our City‘s films which are playing at the Festival:

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, directed by Dito Montiel and starring Robert Downey Jr. and Rosario Dawson, the coming of age story of a boy growing up in Queens in the 1980‘s who believes he is saved from choosing the wrong path by various saints.

Flannel Pajamas, a Jeff Lipsky character-driven production which tells the story of a couple who become instantly attracted on their first date, and what happens to their relationship over the following two years.

Half Nelson, directed by Ryan Fleck and starring Ryan Gosling, which tells the story of a teacher with a drug habit and his strange relationship with his drug dealer and one of his students.

Man Push Cart, directed by Ramin Bahrani, the story of a Pakistani immigrant who works in New York City as a street vendor.

The Night Listener, starring Robin Williams, Toni Collette and Sandra Oh, which shot at Silvercup Studios and tells the story of a radio show host’s questions about a caller’s identity.

Maria Maggenti’s new film, Puccini for Beginners, the story of a young New York writer on the rebound from a lesbian relationship, who becomes involved with a man and a woman.

Stay, starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts, which tells the story of a professor who tries to keep a student from committing suicide. The Mayor‘s Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting provided access to the roadways of the Brooklyn Bridge for two weeks for production of this film. As a result, the production decided to shoot all of its locations for principal photography on the $50 million project in New York City.

Commissioner Katherine Oliver will attend the festival to root for New York City productions and bring more film business to the City.

“We could not be prouder that these productions were ‘Made in New York,’” says Commissioner Oliver. “Not only are we the independent filmmaking capital of the United States, but when films shoot in our City, they support an industry which employs 100,000 New Yorkers, supports 4,000 local businesses and contributes $5 billion to our economy on an annual basis. The City is committed to continuing to attract and retain this important sector.”

2005 was a record breaking year for production in New York City, thanks to the “Made in NY” incentive program which includes the City‘s first-ever tax credits for film and television productions. More than half of the productions taking advantage of the credit are independently produced. The incentive program also includes free advertising for qualified productions on media throughout the City, and a discount card which has lowered the cost of production in New York City by offering discounts of at least 10 percent at more than 400 vendors across the five boroughs.

In 2005, the Mayor‘s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting also partnered with the City‘s Department of Small Business Services to award a NYC Business Solutions Training Grant to the Independent Feature Project (IFP) . The grant will provide up to a maximum of $25,000 per company, to train entry-level and incumbent workers for jobs in film production. Visit www.nyc.gov/film for more information.