By Sandy Cohen, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES --The writer, director, producer and star of "The Birth of a Nation" says the Sundance Institute offered him encouragement and support when he needed it most.
"They are the family I never had in this industry," Nate Parker said as he accepted the organization's Vanguard Award at a fundraising dinner Thursday night at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.
Parker wants other aspiring filmmakers to have the same opportunity, so the cast and crew of "The Birth of a Nation" is endowing a fellowship for a young filmmaker of color to participate in the Sundance Institute's Ignite program each year for the next five years.
Parker said Sundance support validated and inspired him as he struggled to bring the true story of slave rebellion leader Nat Turner to the screen in "The Birth of a Nation." The film won audience and grand jury prizes when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Fox Searchlight will release it in October.
Parker compared the long process of making the film to being on a deserted island.
"You're by yourself and all you have in your hand is your script and your dream – whatever that thing is, your voice – and you're surrounded by fear," he said.
That's when the Sundance Feature Film Program stepped in to help, and Parker said he's been "desperately humbled" to accept its support and accolades.
Parker is the fifth filmmaker to receive the Vanguard Award, joining previous recipients Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"), Ryan Coogler ("Fruitvale Station"), Damien Chazelle ("Whiplash") and Marielle Heller ("The Diary of a Teenage Girl"). "Fruitvale Station" star Michael B. Jordan presented Parker with the prize, which includes ongoing mentorship and a cash grant.
"I've worked very hard to use my art to combat injustices everywhere I see them," Parker said. "That's my voice … and having institutions like Sundance support those things is everything."
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More