In 1981, Robert Redford founded the Sundance Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of independent artists and audiences. One of the Institute's programs, the Sundance Film Festival, has become one of Utah's major tourist attractions. The festival, held every January, is based in Park City, but also has screenings and events in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and the Sundance Resort.
Each year, thousands of films from all around the world are submitted for consideration into the premier showcase for U.S. and international film. When selecting films, Sundance programmers look for a combination of originality, diversity, and risk-taking in the filmmaking. Those selected films are shown to an audience of thousands of independent film fans, who eagerly greet a line-up of revolutionary and though provoking films.
The Sundance Film Festival is open to the public, and tickets, passes, and ticket packages can be purchased in advance. Locals are given the opportunity to participate in the festival through passes and packages that are only available to Utah residents. Tickets can also be purchased day-of at Sundance Film Festival Box Offices. If a person is unable to purchase a ticket in advance, the wait list line is a great way to get into a screening, and to meet and interact with fellow film lovers.
Aside from film venues, the Sundance Film Festival boasts other locations - the Filmmaker Lodge, the Sundance House, New Frontier on Main, and the Music Cafe - where patrons can listen to music, relax, mingle, and enjoy the festival atmosphere.
For those people looking to become involved in the world of independent cinema, whether as a creator or simply as a fan, there is no better place to start than the Sundance Film Festival. For information on the Festival, and the other programs offered through the Sundance Institute, please visit www.sundance.org.
