Movie lovers and filmmakers excitedly look forward for the Sundance Film Festival annually held in Park City, Utah. It is where features and documentaries that stand out for originality and excellence are showcased. The event hosts premieres and screenings of what tend to be some of the best movies of the year. Hosted by the not-for profit Sundance Institute, the event is touted to be the largest independent film festival in the United States.
The annual event showcases a myriad of dramatic, documentary and short films; series and episodic content; and New Frontier, showcasing emerging media in the form of multimedia installations, performances and films. It also hosts daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions and other events. Founded as the US Film Festival in 1978 by American actor and director Robert Redford, Sundance over the years has become a platform to discover engaging and diverse range of films.
The festival has helped numerous filmmakers garner critical acclaim and reach new audiences far and wide. Being the largest independent film festival in the world, it comprises of various competitive sections for domestic, international, dramatic and documentary films, as well as feature films and short films. It also has a group of out-of-competition sections, such as New Frontier, Spotlight, Midnight, Sundance Kids, Premieres and Documentary Premieres. Each year the Sundance team peruses through thousands of submissions and only about 200 feature-length films and short films are selected.
If you are interested in attending the Sundance Film Festival, keep reading ahead.
What to Expect
At Sundance Film Festival, you can watch and enjoy several critically acclaimed movies, series and documentaries created by some of the most recognized as well as up-and-coming filmmakers. Some notable films showcased at the event in the past include Minari, Time, American Factory, The Farewell, Honeyland, Whiplash, Rich Hill, The Birth of a Nation, Boyhood, Rich Hill, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Reservoir Dogs, An Inconvenient Truth and Little Miss Sunshine. You can visit the website to know the shortlisted titles for the current year.
If you thought Sundance Film Festival is just about movie screenings and premieres then you are probably less informed. ‘The Beyond Film’ Program lets you delve into the world of independent filmmakers, artists and cinema culture though documented conversations and informal chats, such as Oscars’s Comeback, Power of Story, Reclaiming The Narrative and Machine Yearning. In addition, there are various partner events organised during the fest and you can even be part of intriguing live conversations and panel discussions with popular celebrities.
Date, Time and Schedule
Sundance Film Festival is organised in the month of January every year in Park City, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah and at the Sundance Resort. The film festival is held during the third week of January. If you are not aware, Sundance Film Festival is also held in London around June and in Hong Kong around September. You need to register online in order to purchase tickets, add films to your list of favorites, make ticket selections and watch films. You can also watch several programs for free, including talks and events through Beyond Film Program, as well as partner events.
If you are an international viewer you can be a part of the New Frontier and Indie Series programs through an Explorer Pass. Download the Sundance Film Festival app for Android or iOS to view the schedule or vote for your favorite film. There is also an Online Festival Screenings app, which allows you to watch titles directly through the app.
Contact & Support
If you are an artist or filmmaker, you can write to programming@sundance.org for queries on submission. Note the entry fee, deadline and eligibility requirements before submission. For general enquiries, you can write to sundancesupport@sundance.org. The organizer can be reached on the address – Sundance Institute, P.O. Box 684426, Park City, UT 84068.
If you have made up your mind to attend Sundance Film Festival, you can browse the Festival Program Guide online. There is a three-hour premiere window which is scheduled for live screening followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. If you wish to watch a film again, the same will be available for a second screening after two days of the premiere for a 24-hour period. You need to make ticket selections as early as possible, since attendance to second screenings is limited in capacity.
