St. Nick at IFP Labs

David Lowery's feature film project ST NICK, which received a 2007 TFPF production grant, was announced as one of 11 films selected for the IFP's 2008 Independent Filmmaker Lab. At the Lab, which takes place this week in New York City, filmmakers participate in workshops where they will receive advice on technical, creative, and post-production issues. Lab leaders include producer Gretchen McGowan (COFFEE AND CIGARETTES) and producer Scott Macaulay (RAISING VICTOR VARGAS). Workshop leaders include composer David Mansfield (TRANSAMERICA) and editors Lee Percy (BOYS DON'T CRY), Chris Tellefsen (CAPOTE), Sabine Hofmann (THE BALLAD OF JACK AND ROSE), and Kate Williams (FROZEN RIVER).

But, the big news is that one of these 11 films will receive a big honking $50,000 finishing funds grant from an anonymous donor to the IFP. The juried award will be presented during IFP’s Independent Film Week, which runs September 14–19.

A couple other films in the lineup have Texas connections, as well. PERIPHERY, directed by Duane Allen Humeyestewa and written by Deepa Donde, was shot here in Austin, and Dia Sokol's film SORRY, THANKS marks a return to the screen for Austinite and DAZED AND CONFUSED & WAKING LIFE star Wiley Wiggins (besides his appearances in films by the Zellner Brothers like GOLIATH & FRONTIER, of course).