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The Sundance Institute’s 2024 Documentary Edit Intensive: A Deep Dive into “#NunsToo”
A new chapter for Sundance mentorship programs
The Sundance Institute has announced that Lorena Luciano’s feature documentary, ”#NunsToo,” has been selected for its 2024 Documentary Edit Intensive. This prestigious event will take place from July 15-19 at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, north of Manhattan. Traditionally held at the Sundance Resort, the Documentary Edit and Story Lab fellowship has been reimagined this year due to construction at the resort. This shift follows other relocations within the Sundance mentorship programs, such as the Directors Lab at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, and the Producers Lab in Ucross, Wyoming.
The team behind “#NunsToo”
Lorena Luciano, who is both directing and editing “#NunsToo,” will attend the Intensive alongside the film’s producer and cinematographer, Filippo Piscopo. The week-long Documentary Edit Intensive is designed to support one film team at a critical point in post-production. Fellows share a work-in-progress and spend the week immersed in rigorous conversation and experimentation. The goal is to advance their project, bringing it closer to completion. They work closely with director and editor advisors, as well as Institute staff, in a supportive environment.
The story of “#NunsToo”
“#NunsToo” explores the harrowing experiences of nuns who have endured unspeakable abuse at the hands of male clergy within the Catholic Church. The documentary follows a group of courageous women who break their silence, defying the institution that once silenced them. The film documents survivors who have found their voices, inspiring a movement that challenges the very foundations of faith and power.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/nuns-too.
The importance of the Intensive
Kristin Feeley, interim director of Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program, expressed her admiration for the courage of the film team and participants. “This work demands a level of care that the supportive environment of the Intensive can provide. Our hope is that the expertise and sensitivity of the advisors can also provide the film team with renewed energy to bring this ground-breaking work to completion,” she said.
Filippo Piscopo added, “The support from the Sundance Institute Intensive Edit Lab offers a unique opportunity to tackle the narrative challenges of our documentary hands-on, working freely in a safe, encouraging space where creative boundaries are pushed, and narrative strength is pursued collaboratively.”
The advisors
This year’s Intensive advisors include filmmakers, musicians, and multimedia artists Mike Palmieri and Donal Mosher, known for “The Gospel Of Eureka” and “October Country,” as well as documentary editor Erin Casper, recognized for her work on “Fire of Love” and “American Promise.”
The challenge of storytelling
Lorena Luciano highlighted the complexities of telling such a deeply personal and rarely covered story. “This presents the challenge of striking the right balance between maintaining a compelling, character-driven narrative while thoroughly exploring the complexities of the subject matter. Achieving this requires thoughtful storytelling and a nuanced approach. The productive feedback from a group of incredibly talented and accomplished peers contributes to unleashing the potential of the thought-provoking story we aim to tell through cinematic language,” she said.
A reflective closure
The journey of “#NunsToo” through the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Edit Intensive is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of providing a platform for voices that have long been silenced. As the film moves closer to completion, it serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action, challenging us to confront uncomfortable truths and inspire change. The supportive environment of the Intensive not only nurtures the creative process but also underscores the significance of community and collaboration in bringing such vital stories to light.
