Utah residents may have grown accustomed to having the largest film festival in the country right in their backyard, but the Sundance Film Festival has some new and exciting things to offer this year.
The 10-day festival begins Thursday in Park City and is quietly celebrating its 25th year of independent filmmaking with a record-breaking number of film submissions.
According to a news release, 118 feature-length films were selected, including 87 world premieres, 19 North American premieres and four U.S. premieres, representing 21 countries with 42 first-time filmmakers, including 28 in competition.
The festival kicks off with a claymation film about pen pals called "Mary and Max," on Thursday at the Eccles Center for Performing Arts in Park City.
The Sundance Institute was founded in 1981 by Robert Redford as a not-for-profit organization that helps promote the development of original storytelling in film and theater. The institute also presents the Sundance Film Festival and is internationally acclaimed for its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theater artists.
Having the Sundance Film Festival close to the BYU campus has provided several benefits to students in the film program.
"Film students have a huge opportunity, being this close, knowing that this is one of 'the' festivals to attend," said Christopher Garcia, a recent graduate from the film program. "As locals, there are certain screenings that are only available to locals. Others pay thousands of dollars to come here and we get it cheaper."
The festival also creates opportunities for film students to explore future job opportunities.
"It is hard for a BYU film student to go to a studio job, but it is much easier to go into an independent job which is what the film festival showcases," Garcia said. "It is not just a festival where you just watch movies. There are parties, networking opportunities and there are important people to meet and share ideas with."
Along with the program of independent films, reasons for attending the festival include live music shows, panel discussions with prominent filmmakers, celebrity watching and parties.
Celebrities will be attending the festival this year to publicize charities and support their films, according to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Robert Redford said "there will be more tendency to focus on what it is that we're really about, which is the independent filmmakers and the quality of the work."
For those interested in the music themed films and events, this year's program will include a celebration of seminal rock and rollers, persecuted musicians risking their lives to be heard, artists creating the pulse of cinema through inventive scores and Grammy award-nominated rapper Lil' Wayne, according to a press materials.
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Copyright Brigham Young University 14 Jan 2009
