Jan 18, 2024
SFFILM, in partnership with the Dolby Institute, is celebrating the world premieres of two recent fellows at the 40th Sundance Film Festival this month. The fellowship supports narrative feature films from development through post-production.
Created in 2018 as part of an innovative partnership between Dolby and SFFILM, these fellowships were designed to provide an opportunity rarely afforded to independent filmmakers to thoughtfully elevate and deepen the role of sound and image in their finished films with advanced technology from Dolby Laboratories. SFFILM Makers—SFFILM’s artist development program—and the Dolby Institute offer the selected fellows artistic and industry guidance, facilitate introductions, and provide a cash grant allowing them to begin work with a sound designer during the screenwriting stage. Fellows also gain post-production support, with comprehensive sound design, a Dolby Atmos mix, and Dolby Vision color correction and mastering support.
The 2023 Dolby Institute Fellow is filmmaker Sean Wang and his film Dìdi (弟弟) which will have its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film tells the story of the last month of summer before high school begins. An impressionable thirteen-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.
“Writer and director Sean Wang’s script for Dìdi (弟弟) captured our attention with his vivid portrayal of the heart and experience of a young boy living in Fremont, California in 2008. And we are thrilled to collaborate again with producer Carlos López Estrada. We are excited to give Sean access to Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technology through this fellowship grant to bring the sights and sounds of that world to spectacular life.” Glenn Kiser, Director of the Dolby Institute.
“Our partnership with the Dolby Institute continues to give independent filmmakers astounding access to development of sound and image at every stage of the creative process, something normally reserved for major studio productions” said Masashi Niwano, Director of Artist Development at SFFILM. “Sean’s film benefits from Dolby’s guidance and tools which allows him to stay focused on the story he is telling. We are also thrilled to celebrate two Sundance premieres. Sean will be alongside our 2021 Dolby Institute Fellow, Kobi Libii.”
About the Dolby Institute
The Dolby Institute was created to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of content creators. Through educational programs, strategic partnerships, and direct artist support, we help creatives think critically and creatively about sound and image, unlocking the power of technology to help tell their stories. To learn more about the Dolby Institute Fellowships or Sound + Image Lab: The Dolby Institute Podcast, visit https://www.dolby.com/institute/
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is based in San Francisco, California with offices around the globe. From movies and TV shows, to apps, music, sports and gaming, Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiences for billions of people worldwide. We partner with artists, storytellers, developers, and businesses to revolutionize entertainment and communications with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Dolby Cinema, and Dolby.io.
Dolby, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Dolby Cinema, Dolby.io, and the double-D symbol are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
Stay In Touch With SFFILM
SFFILM is a nonprofit organization whose mission ensures independent voices in film are welcomed, heard, and given the resources to thrive. SFFILM works hard to bring the most exciting films and filmmakers to Bay Area movie lovers. To be the first to know what’s coming, sign up for our email alerts and watch your inbox.