Lisa Leeman, director of “One Lucky Elephant,” a visually captivating documentary recently featured at the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), feels honored to be part of such an important project. A decade in the making, “One Lucky Elephant,” per Leeman, focuses on the “father and daughter interspecies love story” between David Balding, a colorful and passionate circus producer and Flora, his beloved, and often stubborn, elephant.

When “Insidious” opens April 1^st, filmmaker James Wan, who is perhaps best known for directing the first “Saw” (he would go onto serve as an executive producer for the sequels), is hoping to expand his reputation among movie goers.

“Jack Falls,” the third installment of Paul Tanter’s movie trilogy based on the graphic novel series he created, was released in the UK on Blu-Ray and DVD this week. It completes the arc started in “Jack Says” (2008) and continued in “Jack Said” (2009). The trilogy box set is also on sale as well.

Creating visually striking worlds within films is something that cinematographer Jo Willems has come to be known for in the last several years. He first gained notice with the jarring indie thriller “Hard Candy,” starring Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson. The Belgian born Willems then served as DP on “London” and “Rocket Science,” and then in 2007 brought his talents to “30 Days of Night,” a slick vampire romp set in Alaska.

As a cinematographer, Flavio Labiano has nearly twenty films under his belt. But for the Spanish born, self professed film buff, it's his latest, "Unknown," that might put him on another level. Directed by Juame Collet-Serra and starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, and January Jones, "Unknown" is stylish, gritty, and is getting some very good reviews as it opens this weekend (see FSM's take on "Unknown" in our Reviews section-ed.)

When “Sanctum” opens this weekend, Australian filmmaker Alister Grierson may find that his name will be a lot more well-known to American audiences. Besides the film’s exquisite (and claustrophobic) setting, the eye-popping 3D effects, and the strong ensemble cast (headed by Ioan Gruffudd, whose credits include “Fantastic Four”), it also has the advantage of being executive produced by James Cameron.

Cinematographer Wyatt Troll has worked on some truly unique projects over the last several years. Troll’s professional resume includes working with Spike Jonze, the White Stripes, and an Independent Spirit Award nominated documentary about Kurt Kobain.

To say that cinematographer/director Arlene Nelson has carved out an eclectic career in the film business would be an understatement. While perhaps best known for her trilogy of documentaries following photographer Spencer Tunick (“Naked States,” “Naked World: America Undercover,” and “Positively Naked”), she also served as the director of photography on Christopher Guest’s satiric “A Mighty Wind,” in which writer/director Guest and his usual cast of co-conspirators turn their attention to the folk movement and the reunion of a washed up trio of singers.

Cinematographer Bobby Bukowski is no stranger to the Sundance Film Festival, and certainly no stranger to mainstream or indie filmmaking either. The veteran DP shifts between both worlds based on the quality of the script and the potential of the movie rather than the size of the budget.

Actress Rosamund Pike feared being too young might cost her the juiciest female role in the film “Barney’s Version.”

As the first weekend of Sundance 2011 came to a close, it’s apparent that more than just independent film from around the world is on display in Park City. The visceral art of film itself and the ones who create it—the writers, directors, and producers--dominate conversations in every theater and on every street.

When “The Legend of Beaver Dam” screens at this year’s edition of the Sundance Film Festival, it may have the honor of being the only horror rock musical playing in Park City this week. The short, directed by Jerome Sable and written by Sable and Eli Batalion, pays what they call “fractional homage” to both musical theater (a genre the duo has worked in for years) and horror movies, making for a very unique 12 minute film experience.