Destin Daniel Cretton wins Sundance

The Sundance Film Festival is all about discovering new talent. It has launched the careers of the Coen Brothers, Steven Soderbergh, Alison Anders, Robert Rodriquez, Kevin Smith, and Quentin Tarantino. Every year, a few lucky (and talented) filmmakers get an invitation to the ‘dance. Opportunities to participate in the Sundance Institute’s acclaimed workshops for writers and producers often follow. It is not a guaranteed ticket to a long career. But it is a significant boost in an industry where every contact matters.

Each year, thousands of filmmakers attempt to crash the party. More than 5000 short films were submitted to the 2009 festival. Less than 100 short films were chosen to screen in Park City. So imagine my sense of pride when two of my former students made the cut. Their riveting 22-minute film, Short Term 12, went even further. It won the prize as the Best Short film at Sundance 2009!

Destin Daniel Cretton and Craig Detweiler

Destin Daniel Cretton and Michelle Steffes both spent a semester in Hollywood with the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC). The program offers an internship with a local production company and the chance to practice their craft. A native of Hawaii, Destin came from Pt. Loma University in San Diego. Michelle arrived in Hollywood from Taylor University in Indiana. Both were a long way from home but demonstrated empathy, initiative and originality. It was a privilege to awaken a sense of possibility in such eager students.

Michelle Steffes and Craig Detweiler

They did not know each other at the LAFSC. They attended during different years. But upon graduation, both paid their dues and developed their own short film projects. Destin created the Angelus Award winning short, Deacon’s Mondayswith Lowell Frank. Michelle made Driftwood during the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women. They got a taste of the festival circuit, understanding how much excellence is required to rise above an abundance of competition. Having met at a film festival in Savannah, they rekindled their friendship after screening their films at the 2008 Windrider Forum in Park City.

Daniel had written a script based on his experiences working in a residential treatment facility for troubled teens. Short Term 12 was slated as his thesis film from the Masters program at San Diego State. Michelle immediately saw the potential in the powerful story. She brought in Katie Taylor, another one of my former students from the LAFSC, as the casting director. For the lead role of Denim, they secured Brad William Henke who had breakout performances in Chokeand Sherrybaby at Sundance 2008. He was attracted to the material because of his experience adopting a daughter from a similar situation. Daniel rallied friends and family from Pt. Loma to serve in crucial crew positions. MacLaren Children’s Center opened their doors for the production. And the shoot was on!

Short Term 12 Crew

After Short Term 12 won Best Short, I talked with one of the Sundance judges, acclaimed indie actor Lou Taylor Pucci (from Sundance faves like Thumbsucker and The Go Getter). He praised Destin’s ability to create such believable and empathetic characters in 22 brief minutes. Lou said, “Many features don’t display the same level of depth.” Nothing makes me prouder as a teacher than to see my students shine.

Short Term 12

Short Term 12 is a harrowing experience, the worst day imaginable for a health care professional. Drugs and f-bombs fly amidst the blood, sweat and tears. And yet, Denim and the abused students of Short Term 12 rise above their trying circumstances. Empathy, compassion and love keep them alive, fighting for a place in a fractured world. Short Term 12breaks your heart in all the right ways. Check out my backstage interview with Daniel and Michelle here at the Kindlings Muse.