Sundance: Zach Braff’s ‘Wish I Was Here” Added To Premieres Lineup

Sundance: Zach Braff’s ‘Wish I Was Here” Added To Premieres Lineup

It’s a long way from Kickstarter to Park City but that’s where Zach Braff is going next month. The Sundance Film Festival announced today that the Braff-directed Wish I Was Here has been be added to its Premiere selection. This is the first crowd-funded film to be picked for a World Premiere in the section in Sundance’s history and joins 17 previously announced films in the specific category for the January 16-26 festival.  The sure-to-attract-a-lot-of-attention pic about a struggling thirtysomething actor seeking meaning in his life and marriage after the death of his father also stars Braff, as well as Kate Hudson, Mandy Patinkin, Josh Gad, Ashley Greene and Joey King. The former Scrubs star co-wrote the screenplay with his brother and raised over $ 3.1 million for it in a somewhat controversial Kickstarter campaign this spring. Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg are producing the pic through their Double Feature Films. Worldview Entertainment stepped in to provide gap financing.

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Sundance also announced today that Kevin Smith’s Clerks will join the previously announced Hoop Dreams in its Collection “Class of 94” selection. Both films debuted at the festival almost two decades ago. With a new print, the pic will be played on January 24, 2014 just before midnight with the always-chatty Smith in attendance. The Oscar nominated basketball docu Hoop Dreams will play on January 20 with a Q&A with filmmakers Steve James, Peter Gilbert and Frederick Marx and subject Arthur Agee afterwards.

Deadline.com