Van Sant fared somewhat better as a director in 2000 with Finding Forrester, a drama about a black highschool student (Rob Brown) who becomes friends with a crusty, reclusive author (Sean Connery).

2000年，范桑特的导演事业有所进展。他拍摄了《寻找福里斯特》。影片讲述了一个黑人高中生（罗布·布朗饰）和一位脾气暴躁的隐居作家（肖恩·康纳利饰）成为朋友的故事。