Wright State well represented at Sundance Film Festival

Karri O’Reilly, Production Manager on Carol

Wright State University is well represented at the Sundance Film Festival, which runs Jan. 21-31 in Park City, Utah.

Several films featured at the film festival have connections to the award-winning Wright State Motion Pictures program, and Motion Pictures professor emeritus Julia Reichert received a $50,000 grant.

The feature film “Goat” will premiere in the prestigious Narrative Competition section. The film is co-produced by 1994 Wright State graduate Karri O’Reilly. Other Wright State Motion Pictures alumni who worked on the film include Amy Faust, Laura Dennings, Brock Komon, Mike Dittiacur, Scott Lipez, David J. Getz and Nathan Hippenmeyer.

“Miles Ahead,” a biography of jazz legend Miles Davis, will screen in the Premieres section. Wright State film alumna Hannah Beachler ’05 is the movie’s production designer. Other Wright State Motion Pictures alumni who worked on “Miles Ahead” include Selena Burks, Vanessa O’Kelley, Scott Lipez, Chance Madison, Mike Dittiacur, Amy Faust, Eric Risher, Brittany Shyne, Ashley Brandon, Alex Maxwell, Laura Dennings, Ryan Tudor, David J. Getz and John Mays.

The short documentary “Speaking Is Difficult” will premiere in the Sundance shorts program. One of the film’s cinematographers is Steven Bognar, Wright State Motion Pictures alumnus and current professor in the Motion Pictures program.

Reichert was one of five recipients of Breakthrough Filmmaker Awards from Chicken & Egg Pictures, a leading supporter of female nonfiction filmmakers. The award consists of a $50,000 grant and a yearlong mentorship program. The program will help award recipients reach new heights and continue to be strong filmmaker-advocates.

Beyond Sundance, Wright State Motion Pictures alumni continue to shine.

Karri O’Reilly is the production manager on “Carol,” which garnered six Academy Award nominations and was named Best Picture of the Year by the New York Film Critics Circle. The film’s crew includes 20 other Wright State graduates and students.

O’Reilly also produced “A Christmas Melody,” which premiered on the Hallmark Channel in December. Other Wright State alumni who worked on the film include set decorator Vanessa O’Kelley, prop master Laura Dennings, camera operator Alex Esber, background wrangler David J. Getz and numerous other alumni in supporting positions.

Hannah Beachler was the production designer of “Creed,” the seventh installment in the “Rocky” series.

This story written by the  Wright State Media Team.