WATCH: Get To Know 5 Sundance Film Festival Filmmakers (And Their Films)

The Sundance Film Festival opens Thursday with a new crop of anticipated American indies - some of which will define the cinematic year. Last year's narrative winner Beasts of the Southern Wild received a slew of Oscar nominations this year along with other titles. Which ones will emerge this year. Over the next week, M.L. will give a snapshot of the filmmakers themselves in their own words along with trailers. The first five filmmakers profiled today include Lynn Shelton's Touchy Feely (U.S. Dramatic Competition), David Lowery's Ain't Them Bodies Saints (U.S. Dramatic Competition), directors Aaron Aites, Audrey Ewell, Nina Krstic, Lucian Reade's 99%: The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film (U.S. Documentary Competition), Bastian Guenther's Houston (World Dramatic Competition) and Stacie Passon's Concussion (U.S. Dramatic Competition).

Touchy Feely by director Lynn Shelton - [U.S. Dramatic Competition]

Synopsis
What happens when a family?s delicate psychic balance suddenly unravels? Abby is a free-spirited massage therapist. Her brother, Paul, an emotional zombie, owns a flagging dental practice, where he enlists the assistance of his equally emotionally stunted daughter, Jenny. Suddenly, transformation touches everyone. Abby develops an uncontrollable aversion to bodily contact, which seriously hinders her chosen profession and the passionate love life she once shared with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, rumors of Paul?s ?healing touch? begin to miraculously invigorate his practice. As Abby navigates through an identity crisis, her brother discovers a whole new side of himself.

Boasting superb performances from an ensemble cast that includes Rosemarie DeWitt, Josh Pais, Ellen Page, Scoot McNairy, Allison Janney, Ron Livingston, and newcomer Tomo Nakayama, Touchy Feely is about learning to live in your own skin?literally and figuratively. Written and directed by talented Sundance alumnus Lynn Shelton (Humpday, Your Sister?s Sister), Touchy Feely bristles with originality, coupled with Shelton?s trademark sensitivity to…

Source: http://www.celebrities.com/celebrities-gossip/watch-get-to-know-5-sundance-film-festival-filmmakers-and-their-films/

Chandra West Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke China Chow