JPCatholic MBA Students Attend Sundance 2019

For the second consecutive year, JPCatholic sent its MBA in Film Producing students to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, where they spent a week attending screenings of previously unreleased independent films, networking with industry professionals, and participating in the Windrider Forum, a conference of Christian media professionals and film students that runs concurrently with the Festival. Unlike last year, in which only a small portion of the MBA cohort was able to make the trip, a majority totaling eight students attended with filmmaker and Professor of Film, Nathan Scoggins.

Founded in 1978 as an effort both to highlight independent film and draw filmmakers to Utah, Sundance is now the largest independent film festival in the United States, with attendance exceeding 100,000 in recent years. While showcasing emerging talent in independent film, the festival also serves as an opportunity for established filmmakers to work outside the confines of major Hollywood studios.

“Sundance was an unforgettable experience that changed the way I look at making films,” said MBA candidate and former JPCatholic undergraduate Meghan Woodard. “There were tons of great networking opportunities and amazing talks that brought about hope to new and old filmmakers alike.”

“Having just completed my eighth trip to Sundance, I know just how formative this experience can be,” said Prof. Scoggins. “Students heard from dynamic filmmakers like Chiwetel Ejiofor and other Sundance filmmakers about what went into the making of their films, got to hear Roma Downey share her experience as a Catholic woman and actress and producer, and got one-on-one time with veteran Hollywood blockbuster filmmaker Ralph Winter. It was an incredible week; I’m already looking forward to bringing another group next year.”

To read reflections from one of our MBA students on his experience at Sundance, please visit our Impacting Culture Blog.