What is Sundance Film Festival?
Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Park City, Salt Lake City and Sundance Ski Resort in Provo, Utah at the end of January meant to showcase the new work from independent filmmakers from around the world. Formerly the Utah/US Film Festival & US Film and Video Festival, the Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the United States. There were around 47,000 people that attended in 2016 and is expected to be around 50,000 attendees in 2021.
How did it get Started?
Sundance started in August 1978, then called the Utah/US Film Festival meant to attract more filmmakers to Utah, show the potential of independent films and showcase American independent films. In 1981 the festival got its second name, US Film and Video Festival and switched from being hosted in the fall to hosting in January. This move was an attempt to attract more people from Hollywood because more people would be in attendance since they were already in Park City for skiing. In 1984, the US Film and Video Festival became Sundance Film Festival.
Big Growth & Notoriety
In the 1990s, Sundance became the largest independent film festival gaining recognition amongst international film festivals in Cannes, Venice, Berlin and Toronto. Sundance led the rise of independent films in America. This is the place to have your independent film showcased if you want to get your name out there.
Sundance has expanded outside of Utah. Robert Redford revealed in 2010 that he would expand Sundance to London. In 2014, Hong Kong saw its first Sundance Film Festival.
Quentin Tarantino, a famous filmmaker, known for his blood and gore style movies got his big break at Sundance. Popular films like 500 Days of Summer, Napoleon Dynamite Super Troopers and The Blair Witch Project got their start at Sundance.
Sundance Today
The festival has changed significantly over the years from a low-profit venue that tried to bring low-budget independent films to the mainstream. Now-a-days, Sundance has been glamorized by the biggest names in Hollywood, paparazzi and the media. Some might say Sundance has lost its focus on promoting small independent films and has become a place for celebrities to see and be seen. Attendees and locals alike trying to find and take a picture with their favorite celebrity as if this event is a big gala. Event officials have made attempts to shift the focus and culture back to their origins.
Sundance Film Festival 2022
Dates: Thursday 1/20- Sunday 1/30
There’s so much going on at this year’s festival. Here’s a lineup of competitions and film categories happening this year. Check out the festival program.
Film Competitions
US Dramatic Competition
US Documentary Competition
World Cinema Dramatic Competition
World Cinema Documentary Competition
Film Categories
Next
Bold works distinguished by an innovative, forward-thinking approach to storytelling.
Midnight
Horror and comedy works that defy genre classification.
Indie Episodic Program
A showcase for emerging creators for episodic platforms.
Short Film Program
Short Film Program is exactly that, short films.
Special Screenings
One-of-a-kind moments highlight new independent films that add to the unique experience.
Kids
For our youngest independent film fans.
Collection
Rediscover classic works of independent cinema. The collection now houses 2,000 films.
Award Winners
Watch the collection of Sundance award-winning films.
Attending Sundance
The Sundance Film Festival is a huge event in Utah with a storied past. Utah is known mostly for it’s skiing & snowboarding and other wintertime related activities. Celebrity jets line the runways at the Salt Lake City International Airport. It’s great to see so many people come to support small independent filmmakers. Find a theater that’s showing your favorite genre and be a part of the historic legacy of Sundance Film Festival. Support local businesses in both Park City and Salt Lake!
*Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to enter Festival theaters and venues.*
