'' The Spectacular Now '' ( 2013 ) , the third feature film Ponsoldt directed , was written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber , based on the novel by Tim Tharp . The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in January , 2013 , where it was warmly received and was given the Special Jury Award for Acting for the performances from its two lead stars , Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley . New York-based distribution company A24 inked a deal for '' The Spectacular Now '' , which Ponsoldt shot in Athens , Georgia , in the summer of 2012 . The film was released on August 2 , 2013
2013 Sundance Film Festival
2013 Sundance Film Festival
James Ponsoldt