You ever work so hard on something for so long and with so much of yourself when it suddenly goes right you forget to share it with your people?

Yeah, me neither.

If you follow me on twitter or facebook you’ve probably already heard this but I’m really excited to announce it here too— I’ve been invited to participate in the Sundance Institute’s 2011 Directors Labs next month in Utah. I’ll be directing scenes from my feature script, “The American People” while being mentored by creative advisors.

Here’s the logline for the script:

In the heart of Alabama wiregrass country, a mother haunted by prescient visions of the future struggles to find hope and the strength to live again after the sudden death of one of her children just days before 9/11.

Sundance has been very supportive of the project since my first draft (I attended the Screenwriters Labs too) and their continued support is not only incredibly necessary to develop this material as keenly as possible… it’s also sorely needed in this current over-crowded and under-financed era for emerging writer/directors.

Sundance Resort

Additionally, this project is very personal for me as the story and characters spring from true events.

It’s a small film with a big story and needs the kind of guidance and support Sundance offers.

I won’t bore you with the details now (later I promise) but this script emerged from one of the most devastating yet ultimately hopeful times in my life.

Devastating because my family lost someone we fiercely loved and hopeful because it inspired me to share the story… A story of calamity turned to grief turned to hope.

It eventually led me to writing and directing… drove me to film school so I could prepare myself to write and direct this film… and very soon hopefully others.

For now I’ll just say I’m really grateful they continue to champion me and the project. And also happy I didn’t wreck myself writing from midnight to 6am the last few months (while directing a new short film, editing two features and teaching) so I could submit a draft to them juuuuuuuust in time to make the final (no final… no final final) deadline.

Happy and grateful indeed—

Power of Dreams

I’m also thrilled to announce the Institute and one of their sponsors, Honda have also generously awarded me their inaugural Honda Power of Dreams Fellowship.

In celebration and support of diversity and innovation in independent filmmaking, the Sundance Institute and Honda have formed The Honda Power of Dreams Lab Fellowship to recognize an outstanding filmmaker participating in the Institute’s renowned Feature Film Program Directors Lab.

Selected by Institute staff and Honda executives, The Honda Power of Dreams Lab Fellow will receive a stipend from Honda in addition to the Lab experience and year-round guidance and mentorship provided by the non-profit Institute…

“The Honda Power of Dreams Lab Fellowship is a natural extension of our Feature Film Program’s commitment to discovering diverse voices from underrepresented communities,” said Keri Putnam, Executive Director, Sundance Institute. “We applaud Honda for assisting artists in such a committed way and are grateful also for their continued support of the Sundance Film Festival.”

“The Honda Power of Dreams Directors Lab Fellowship is a win-win for the filmmaker, the film industry, and for corporate marketers,” said Barbara Ponce, Manager of Corporate and Diversity Advertising for Honda. “The filmmaker receives a career-enhancing opportunity to work with accomplished advisors, while the film industry and corporations like Honda benefit from greater diversity and fresh perspectives from the director’s chair in film and marketing content.”

Kinda sweet right? Thank you Honda!

Directors Labs Unveiled

If you’re still reading maybe you’re really curious about what we’ll be doing out there in Utah during the month of June.

Here’s a few more specifics courtesy of the Sundance press release:

• Over the course of the Directors Lab, Fellows work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors, professional actors, and production crews, shooting and editing key scenes from their screenplays.
• Through this intense, hands-on process, the Fellows workshop text, collaborate with actors, and find a visual storytelling language for their films in an atmosphere where experimentation and risk-taking is encouraged.
• Fellows also join in the week-long Screenwriters Lab with six additional projects to participate in individualized story sessions under the guidance of established screenwriters.

This year’s Creative Advisors for the Directors and Screenwriters Labs include:

I’ve created a very simple “Lookbook” for the film (mostly for me and the DP) but if you’re interested in following along as we develop the look and feel of the film here’s the site: american.keithdavis.co