Independent filmmakers Hank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller’s documentary SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS was one of 16 films chosen—out of 624 entries—for the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. For 10 exciting and exhausting days, they immersed themselves in the “Sundance experience.” Read their wrap-up entry below and sign up for the Independent Lens newsletter for future updates.

Diary Entry
February 1, 2005

It has been so hard to write this last entry. Maybe we just don't want it all to end. Maybe we're too exhausted to put two coherent sentences together. The end of the festival was so bittersweet. It was an amazing, fantastical experience. Like living in another world for 10 days. It could hardly have been better. And then at the 11th hour, the final night, there was an awards ceremony, which we were not prepared for. It suddenly all became a competition, and we didn't win any awards. You get this weird, disappointed feeling and it’s hard to shake that. But now, two days later, the good times and experiences start returning to the fore.

Some of our favorite moments:

Thank you to everyone who made this fantastic ride possible. Now, we are sorting out all the offers on the film, and looking towards future festivals and opportunities. We'll keep you all posted.

Thanks so much for reading.
J & H

Read the diary from the beginning >>

Learn more about Hank and Jilann >>

Check out the Sundance scrapbook >>