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The Slamdance Film Festival's commercial distribution enterprise Slamdance Studios has announced that viewers can stream a selection of its film on Hulu beginning today. Premiering in this collection is the short "D.I.Y." about the world of do it yourself filmmaking that includes interviews with Chris Nolan, the Russo Brothers, Penelope Spheeris and Rian Johnson. Slamdance Studios' new agreement with Hulu follows recent distribution success with Nicole Teeny's "Bible Quiz," winner of the festival's Grand Jury Prize that is now playing on Netflix. "If you want to see the best in true indie filmmaking come and experience Slamdance on Hulu," said Peter Baxter, Slamdance President & Co-Founder. The first Slamdance programs available to stream on Hulu at launch are: "D.I.Y". (Directed by Peter Baxter, Ben Hethcoat & Eric Ekman) A documentary about the do it yourself filmmaking movement. "Bindlestiffs" (Directed by Andrew...

Slamdance Studios and Hulu kicked off a new partnership on Wednesday.

The popular online video delivery site reached a deal with Slamdance Film Festival’s commercial distribution wing, Slamdance Studios, to stream a curated collection of films. The inaugural batch of Slamdance offerings includes 12 features and one documentary short.

See Photos: Inside The Wrap’s Sundance 2015 Industry Panel

Included among those titles immediately available is “D.I.Y.,” a documentary short featuring interviews with directors Chris Nolan (“Interstellar”) and Rian Johnson (“Star Wars: Episode VIII”); and “Tony,” a London-set thriller. Slamdance Studios also plans to add new programs to its Hulu channel on a monthly basis.

Reese Witherspoon and Jean-Marc Vallée making Wild

Jean-Marc Vallée’s eighth feature film Wild is just about to begin its theatrical release in North America. The film stars Reese Witherspoon, who plays Cheryl Strayed as she goes on an incredible, though unprepared, hike across the Pacific Crest Trail to morn the death of her mother. This new release provides a great opportunity to reflect on the director’s career and survey the literature surrounding him.

Even though I’m sympathetic to Barry Hertz’s article in Maclean’s, "Jean-Marc Vallée: Film’s redemption man" (Sept. 15, 2014), for acknowledging the director’s talent and growing international reputation, it still doesn’t do Vallée justice as it concludes with vague generalizations that, instead of enlightening, overlook his actual merits. Hertz overemphasizes Vallée’s work with actors and argues that he ‘lacks’ a unique style of directing, criticizes him for his modesty, and...