Netflix has announced a number of new Netflix Originals, Documentaries, and Series that will be debuting at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival early next year. The new original features and documentaries include a roster of talent including Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville, Jason Segel, Rooney Mara, Robert Redford, Elijah Wood, Rashida Jones, Melanie Lynskey, Riley Keough, Jesse Plemons, and Alfre Woodard.
“Sundance Film Festival has always been committed to giving voice to true originals, and their curation of titles for the 2017 festival is exceptionally strong and innovative,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “It’s thrilling for Netflix to have the opportunity to premiere such a compelling array of original films, documentaries and series this year.”
The Netflix Originals include four Originals, one Documentary, and two Documentary Series.
Netflix Original Films
Burning Sands
Netflix launch: March 10, 2017
Deep into a fraternity’s Hell Week, a favored pledge is torn between honoring a code of silence or standing up against the intensifying violence of underground hazing.
The film stars Trevor Jackson, Alfre Woodard, Steve Harris, Tosin Cole, DeRon Horton, Trevante Rhodes, Christian Robinson, Rotimi, Octavius Johnson, Malik Bazille, Mitchell Edwards, Imani A. Hakim, Serayah, and Nafessa Williams. Directed by Gerard McMurray, Written by Christine Berg & Gerard McMurray and Produced by Stephanie Allain, Jason Michael Berman, Reginald Hudlin, and Mel Jones. Executive Produced by Caroline Connor.
Burning Sands will compete in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.
Deidra & Laney Rob a Train
Netflix launch: March 17, 2017
Two teenage sisters start robbing trains to make ends meet after their single mother’s emotional meltdown in an electronics store lands her in jail.
Directed by Sydney Freeland and written by Shelby Farrell, the film stars Ashleigh Murray, Rachel Crow, Tim Blake Nelson, David Sullivan, Danielle Nicolet, Sasheer Zamata, Missi Pyle, Arturo Castro, and Sharon Lawrence. Susan Cartsonis and Nick Moceri serve as producers. Nicolaas Bertelsen serves as co-producer and Randy Kiyan serves as executive producers. The film will have its world premiere in NEXT at the festival.
I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore
Netflix launch: February 24, 2017
When a depressed woman is burglarized, she finds a new sense of purpose by tracking down the thieves alongside her obnoxious neighbor. But they soon find themselves dangerously out of their depth against a pack of degenerate criminals.
Written and directed by Macon Blair, the film stars Melanie Lynskey, Elijah Wood, David Yow, Jane Levy, Devon Graye, Christine Woods, Robert Longstreet, Gary Anthony Williams, and Lee Eddy. The film was produced by Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, and Anish Savjani for filmscience, and Mette-Marie Kongsved for XYZ Films. Nick Spicer executive produced for XYZ Films, along with Lee Eddy. Louise Lovegrove and Kyle LeMire served as co-producers.
I Don’t Feel At Home in this World Anymore will open the U.S. Dramatic Competition.
The Discovery
Netflix launch: Spring, 2017
A love story set in a world where the afterlife has been scientifically proven, and as a result millions of people start taking their own lives to “get there.”
Directed by Charlie McDowell, The Discovery stars Jason Segel, Rooney Mara, Robert Redford, Jesse Plemons, Riley Keough and Ron Canada. The film was produced by Alex Orlovsky of A-LO Films and James D. Stern of Endgame Entertainment, and was co-financed by Endgame Entertainment and Protagonist Pictures. Charlie McDowell and Justin Lader are the screenwriters. Executive Producers are Julie Goldstein, Lucas Smith, Mike Goodridge, Dimitra Tsingou, Hunter Gray, Charlie McDowell and co-producer Erika Hampson.
Netflix Original Documentary Features
The Mars Generation
Netflix launch: Spring, 2017
The Mars Generation, a Time Inc. production world premiering in the Sundance Kids section, is a comprehensive look at the little known history of mankind’s efforts to reach Mars as seen through the eyes of the teens who aspire to be the first ever to set foot on the Red Planet, as well as the leading experts currently pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation in space exploration. The film sheds light on just how close we are to a manned mission to Mars and the incredible impact that such a journey would have on both the scientific advancement and the collective pride of the people of Earth.
Directed by Michael Barnett, Produced by Austin Francalancia and Clare Tucker.
Netflix Original Documentary Series
Abstract: The Art of Design
Netflix launch: February 10, 2017
Abstract: The Art of Design demystifies the contemporary creative experience for a wide audience by bringing us inside the lives and minds of some of the greatest designers working today in a variety of disciplines. By seeing the world through these designers’ eyes, Abstract shows viewers in a fresh and inspiring way how design impacts every aspect of life and exposes them to a new perspective on design thinking.
Executive produced by Scott Dadich (Editor in Chief of WIRED), Morgan Neville and for Radical Media Dave O’Connor, Jon Kamen, and Justin Wilkes.
Making its world premiere, Sundance will screen an episode of the series featuring the German illustrator Christoph Niemann (directed by Morgan Neville).
Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On
Netflix launch: Spring, 2017
Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On tells personal stories about people whose lives are affected by the explosion of the Internet where pornography, dating apps and virtual relationships are all just a click away. The series explores the intersection of sex and technology telling stories of intimacy, connection, disconnection, self-promotion, race and gender politics. How is establishing sexual relationships through screens now rewiring us in fundamental ways?
Executive Producer by Rashida Jones, Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus, and the series is an extension of the feature documentary Hot Girls Wanted, which premiered at Sundance in 2015.
The 2017 Sundance Film Festival takes place in Park City, Utah from January 19 – 29th.
Which Netflix Original are you looking forward to the most out of the new slate from Netflix? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
