Sundance accepts Seattle film

Robinson Devor's made-in-Seattle drama "Police Beat" is one of 16 films chosen for the dramatic competition of the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. More than 700 narrative features were submitted in the category.

Devor co-wrote the film, the story of a week in the life of an African-born bicycle cop, with Seattle writer Charles Mudede, whose column "Police Beat" in The Stranger provided the initial inspiration. It is the sixth film completed through the nonprofit Northwest Film Forum's Start-to-Finish grant program.

Formerly titled "Cascadia," "Police Beat" was shot in nearly 100 locations around Seattle in fall 2003 and will have its world premiere at Sundance.

Sundance, among the most important showcases for American independent film, will take place Jan. 20-30 in Park City, Utah. For information: www.sundance.org.

Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times movie critic