APEX Exclusive: Cinesky’s Betsy Hamlin Talks Sundance Film Festival
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The 2015 edition of Sundace Film Festival kicks off today in Park City, Utah and APEX caught up with Betsy Hamlin, film industry insider and president of Cinesky Pictures to get the scoop on the event. With 2015 marking her 15th Sundance, her first being in the mid-90s (before she even started with the in-flight biz), Hamlin tells us how Sundance has changed over the years and what she loves most about the festival, known for its role as giving several distinguished independent filmmakers their big break.
What are you most looking forward to at Sundance?
I look forward to the feeling of community within the film world at Sundance. Also, seeing many friends who also attend each year, the reward of seeing films I bought into from script level for the first time (it isn’t always as rewarding as I had hoped!), the parties associated with the films, the stars that show up for the films and the Q&A sessions after each screening.
It’s also exciting to see films break out with young filmmakers and watching that metamorphosis over the course of the week. One good example was the wave with Benh Zeitlin and his film Beasts of the Southern Wild. Another example was Darren Aronofsky’s Pi followed up by Requiem For A Dream the next year. He has gone on to direct The Wrestler, Black Swan, and Noah since.
How do you prepare or what research do you do in anticipation of an event like this?
I start out by purchasing my badge in August. I’m lucky, because a friend and I both buy the badge that doesn’t require tickets and you can walk in and out of any film, as long as you’re there 15 minutes before start. So in that sense I’m lucky that I can leave my research to just before I go to the festival.
I just go film by film, pick out what films Cinesky is associated with that I should see, followed by films that are being distributed by companies I work with often, and then I just pick out the ones I want to see. I allow myself to just “play” more at this festival than others. I feel that because we work in a film based industry all year, it’s healthy to remember why I went into this business, that I love film, and try to see many that may never get distribution, documentaries, or any other film that just sounds good that I want to see with no anticipated outcome for in-flight.
Any predictions for indie films that will make it big?
Honestly I haven’t researched this year’s films yet. Also, it’s hard to guess before being in Park City and seeing the audience response. Sometimes films you think will be big fall flat, and visa versa. Last year I was immensely surprised at the gigantic breakout of Whiplash. The whole town was talking about that film. Another great place to gauge the films is on the shuttle buses between venues. I can often tell what will be a breakout hit, and possible distribution bidding wars over films just by the shuttle bus buzz.
How much do critics and reviews come into play when deciding?
Not at all, because they haven’t seen the films either. In almost all cases, the press is seeing the film for the first time too. It’s a second or third screening I may choose to go to if the reviews were great and if everyone is talking about the film on the shuttle busses.
Most memorable film you picked up?
I very rarely pick up films at Sundance. We work in an industry, as the other indie distributors do, where we pick up any bigger films from the script phase. I’m at Sundance more to support the film I may have bought one to two years earlier along with the sales agent from which I bought the film. Very sadly, in-flight has become an industry that mainly just wants to buy blockbusters, except for a few exceptions. I think we can all agree that in no way does that translate into a good film.
What’s the social scene like at Sundance?
The social scene is very, very buzzy. There are a lot of stars, lots of films and buzz around the theaters, parties, dinners out, and all while maneuvering though the snow. Chefdance is a function I attend one night each year. Over six nights, various Chefs are flown in for one night to highlight their six-course dinners, all with wine flowing, for about 200 people.
If you’re a film lover and want to get swept up into the excitement of other film lovers out to have fun, it’s a must-do at least once in life. If anyone wants to attend but they’re unsure of how to go about it, please drop me an email and I’ll walk you through it. I can guarantee you won’t have a bad time!