PARK CITY, Utah — The dramatic story of a drummer who pursues excellence at all costs won top honors at the Sundance Film Festival.
“Whiplash” collected both audience and jury prizes for American dramatic films at this year’s awards ceremony.
The musical drama by writer-director Damien Chazelle opened the independent film showcase and rode a wave of positive buzz throughout the 10-day event.
Chazelle made his Sundance debut last year with a short version of “Whiplash” intended to gain financial support for the feature-length film. The feature stars 26-year-old Miles Teller as an aspiring jazz drummer and veteran actor J.K. Simmons as his unforgiving instructor.
Chazelle thanked his actors “who really made this movie work.” The 28-year-old filmmaker drew on his personal experiences as a member of a high school jazz band as inspiration for the film.
The documentary “Rich Hill,” a coming-of-age story about the inhabitants of a tiny town in Missouri, won the jury award for U.S. documentary. The American documentary about music’s healing effects on dementia, “Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory,” won the audience award.
Other American winners:
U.S. documentary directing: “The Case Against 8.”
U.S. drama directing; “Fishing Without Nets.”
U.S. documentary cinematography: “E-Team.”
U.S. drama cinematography: “Low Down.”
U.S. documentary editing: “Watchers of the Sky.”
U.S. documentary, special jury award for use of animation: “Watchers of the Sky.”
U.S. drama special jury award for intuitive filmmaking: “The Overnighters.”
U.S. drama special jury award for musical score: “Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter.”
U.S. drama special jury award for breakthrough talent: “Dear White People.”
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