The Best of Sundance 2014

The rapid breakneck pace of the Sundance Film Festival forced me to cram 17 movies over the past 5 days. No matter how mentally and physically exhausting it's been, I loved the experience. Keeping in mind that I only watched 17 of these anticipated indie films, here's a quick rundown of the best movies, performances and directors the Sundance Film Festival had to offer in 2014.

Best Picture

Honorable Mention: The Skeleton Twins and Blue Ruin

#3. Laggies

#2. Whiplash

Winner - Infinitely Polar Bear

Best Director

Honorable Mention: Lynn Shelton (Laggies) and Kat Candler (Hellion)

#3. Craig Johnson  (The Skeleton Twins)

#2. Damien Chazelle (Whiplash)

Winner - Maya Forbes (Infinitely Polar Bear)

Best Actor

Honorable Mention: Bill Hader (The Skeleton Twins) and Jason Schwartzman (Listen Up Philip)

#3. Brendan Gleeson (Calvary)

#2. Miles Teller (Whiplash)

Winner - Mark Ruffalo (Infinitely Polar Bear)

Best Actress

Honorable Mention: Anna Kendrick (Happy Christmas)

#3. Anne Hathaway (Song One)

#2. Kristen Wiig (The Skeleton Twins)

Winner - Keira Knightley (Laggies)

Best Supporting Actor

Honorable Mention: Luke Wilson (The Skeleton Twins) and Johnny Flynn (Song One)

#3. Richard Jenkins (God's Pocket)

#2. Sam Rockwell (Laggies)

Winner - J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)

Best Supporting Actress

Honorable Mention: Kaitlyn Dever (Laggies) and Mary Steenburgen (Song One)

#3. Melanie Lynskey (Happy Christmas)

#2. Chloe Grace Moretz (Laggies)

Winner - Elisabeth Moss (Listen Up Philip)