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What happens every year in Mid-January and in Utah no less? The Sundance Film Festival. And oh, is the festival something to see.
What began in 1978 when disco was hot and folks focused on retrospective films and seminars by filmmakers, today includes hundreds of folks from around the world hoping to see the next big movie getting their jump start miles away from the Hollywood arena; movies that include documentaries, dramatic features and short films.
Held in Park City Utah, past festivals have included movies such as: “Little Miss Sunshine” in 2006, “Chicago 10” in 2007 and in 2009, “Push” a drama based on the book of the same name, by author, Sapphire. This year the festival proved to be just as intriguing, perhaps even more so.
Some facts:
- Sundance was founded in 1981 by actor, Robert Redford.
- The festival was named after the Sundance Kid, a role that Redford played in the movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
- Sundance is the largest independent cinema festival held within the United States.
- Famous films like “The Blair Witch Project,” Little Miss Sunshine,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape,” and “Napoleon Dynamite” began their careers at the Sundance Film Festival.
- This year, there were more entries than ever before; 1,102 total. From that number 16 films were selected as winners.
- 29 countries were involved.
- There were 40 first-time filmmakers.
- For the first time in Sundance history, Festival Insiders were placed throughout the festival to give direction and help to those visiting.
Festivals such as the Sundance Festival give fans an opportunity to view films long and short, eat and drink, and hopefully, get a quick view of a movie star without necessarily having to pay a hefty ticket price. This year, folks could get into the festival for a mere $15.
To “see what was playing at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival,” search google.com.
Next year’s Sundance Film Festival will be held from January 19-29.
