Sundance Film Festival

Festival Overview

The annual Sundance Film Festival, held each January in Park City, Utah, is widely recognized as the premier showcase for American and international independent film. Inclusive and eclectic in its programming approach, the festival has grown to include film culture events, panel discussions, youth programs, online exhibition, and live music. Attended by more than 45,000 people from around the world each year and with an online audience exceeding 1,000,000 users, the Sundance Film Festival creates a vibrant, unique community of artists and audiences that extends well beyond the mountains of Park City, Utah.

Festival Dates

The Sundance Film Festival takes place over ten days each January in and around Park City, Utah.

The 2010 Sundance Film Festival is scheduled for January 21-31, 2010.

History & Past Festivals

In 1978, the United States Film Festival was created in Salt Lake City, Utah. During its early years, the film festival focused primarily on the presentation of retrospective films and filmmaker seminars. However, from its inception, the Film Festival featured a national competition aimed at drawing attention to new American films made outside the Hollywood system. In 1981, the Festival grew to include documentaries along with its program of dramatic features, and moved to Park City, Utah, the mountain town that continues to be the hub of Festival activity. The following year, short films were added to the Festival's program.

In 1985, the Film Festival added international films to its programming and, under the aegis of founder Robert Redford became a part of Sundance Institute. The move provided the Festival with year-round administration, backing, and a network of contacts, and Sundance Institute gained a powerful vehicle for the presentation of new work by American and international independent filmmakers. In 1991, the Festival was officially renamed the Sundance Film Festival. It celebrated its 25th year in 2009.

Past Festivals

2006

The 2006, the Festival presented a total of 194 films including features QUINCEANERA, STEPHANIE DALEY, and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, and documentaries AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, GOD GREW TIRED OF US, and THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED. In the second year of its World Cinema Competition, Sundance screened 43 international feature films representing 32 countries. While attendance at Festival theatres in Utah reached record levels, so did the Festival's official website with users downloading more than 1,000,000 short films and original content episodes from the site.

2007

In 2007, the Sundance Film Festival expanded its New Frontier program and introduced the New Frontier on Main venue. Films included AWAY FROM HER, CHICAGO 10, GRACE IS GONE, and ONCE as well as documentaries MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET), NO END IN SIGHT, and WAR/
DANCE.

2008

In 2008, the Sundance Film Festival showcased films from 35 countries, including CAPTAIN ABU RAED, the first independent feature film from Jordan. Films inlcuded FROZEN RIVER, SUGAR, and THE WACKNESS along with
documentaries AMERICAN TEEN, MAN ON WIRE, and TROUBLE THE WATER.

2009

In 2009, the Sundance Film Festival celebrated its 25th year. The 2009 Grand Jury Prize in the Drama category went to Lee Daniels' PUSH: BASED ON THE NOVEL BY SAPPHIRE. The film tells the story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem. The movie was later released through Lions Gate Entertainment under the name Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire. Ondi Timoner's WE LIVE IN PUBLIC bested 15 other Documentaries to win that category.

Tickets

Ranging from comprehensive ticket packages that are purchased months in advance to individual tickets that become available just hours before Festival screenings, there are myriad ways to purchase tickets to films at the Sundance Film Festival. Specific information about purchasing packages and individual tickets is available beginning in September on the Sundance Film Festival website. Be sure to check the site early and often for important dates and new ticket buying opportunities! Also check out great deals on Park City hotels and accommodations.