THE SAND STORM marks writer/director Jason Wishnow’s return to narrative filmmaking. Wishnow, the driving force behind the web-series TEDTalks, shot this dystopian sci-fi story under challenging conditions in China. Wishnow went the complete independent route producing the film through crowd funding. The film explores a city facing a water crisis in the near future from the viewpoints of a woman, a man, a lover and a water smuggler.
THE SAND STORM recently became one of the most successful short film fundraising campaigns in Kickstarter history, and possibly it’s most contentious–when the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei shut it down himself, temporarily, as widely documented in over 200 news outlets. This dual release marks the first time anyone anywhere sees the film.
This acquisition of THE SAND STORM is an example of Fandor’s continued mission to make meaningful and entertaining cinematic experiences available to a wider audience. It is also in keeping with their dedicated filmmaker program, FIX, where Fandor fosters community between filmmakers and audiences; providing resources and greater creative control to make their films accessible and viable.
This is the third short film acquisition this year by Fandor to have a day-and-date run tied to the film’s festival premiere.