There is a strong chance you are like me and haven’t heard of a single one of these films. Sundance 2012 announced their competition line-up and we have a first look at a trio of dramas. Could these be the next Take Shelter or Martha Marcy May Marlene? Check them out below and we’ll let you know when we hit Park City in January.

First up, above and below, is a hip-hop-drive drama Filly Brown from directors Youssef Delara and Michael D. Olmos. Starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera and Edward James Olmos, it follows a “mexican girl who rises to fame and consciousness as she copes with the incarceration of her mother through music.”

Next up we have a drama titled Keep the Lights On, from director Ira Sachs (Married Life). Starring Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth, Julianne Nicholson, Souleymane Sy Savane and Paprika Steen, it is an “an autobiographically inspired story of a passionate long-term relationship between two men driven by addiction and secrets but bound by love and hopefulness.”

And lastly we have the first look at Ava DuVernay‘s Middle Of Nowhere, which stars Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, Lorraine Touissant and Edwina Findley. The drama follows an woman who is struggling with her incarcerated husband.

Sundance 2012 kicks off on January 19th. Follow our complete coverage from the fest here.

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