On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, legendary producer and WMA agent Cassian Elwes reflects on his years attending Sundance and how they helped shape the independent film industry.
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screenAmericas Editor Jeremy Kay and Elwes – Producing credits include: Blue Valentine, Dallas Buyers Club and butler – Let’s start by remembering the late Robert Redford, who co-founded the festival and collaborated with Elwes on several occasions.
“The film industry owes a huge debt to him,” Elwes said. “It wasn’t just the fact that there was a film festival and movies were shown there, it was that there was a program that he started, a program that he started with his own money called the Sundance Institute.
“There were some great filmmakers who went through that program and are now big-star directors,” the Elwys continued, citing the likes of Ryan Coogler and Steven Soderbergh.
The two also talk about Sundance Institute’s new CEO, the festival’s longtime late-night deal, and what the impending move to Colorado means for the event.
London-born Elwes was co-head of William Morris Independent from 1994 to 2009, where he represented independent films and filmmakers and helped create the modern packaging model.
The Screen Podcast has now transitioned to weekly episodes, released every Thursday. Produced and edited by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director.
