Birth of a Nation's Nate Parker accepts Sundance award, creates youth fellowship - Action News
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Entertainment

Birth of a Nation's Nate Parker accepts Sundance award, creates youth fellowship

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, so Nate Parker is helping other aspiring filmmakers to have the same opportunity.

Sundance Institute members 'are the family I never had in this industry'

The Birth of a Nation writer, director, producer and star Nate Parker says the Sundance Institute offered him support when he needed it most, so he's going to help other aspiring filmmakers have the same opportunity. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/Associated Press)

The writer, director, producer and star of The Birth of a Nationsays 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 Nationis endowing a fellowship for a young filmmaker of colour to participate in theSundance 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. It will screen at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival andFox Searchlight will release it in theatres in October.

Making art 'to combat injustices'

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.

Armie Hammer, left, and Nate Parker appear in a scene from the upcoming film The Birth of a Nation, directed by Parker. (Elliot Davis/Sundance Institute via Associated Press)

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 SouthernWild), Ryan Coogler ( Fruitvale Station), Damien Chazelle( Whiplash) and Marielle Heller ( The Diary of a TeenageGirl). Fruitvale Stationstar Michael B. Jordan presentedParker with the prize, which includes ongoing mentorship and a cashgrant.

"I've worked very hard to use my art to combat injustices everywhere I see them," Parkersaid.

"That's my voice... and having institutions like Sundance support those things is everything."