Famous for its mix of Hollywood elite and underground auteurs, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States. The 28th annual Sundance Film Festival will showcase 112 feature-length films from 29 countries. These films, selected from 4,042 feature-length film submissions from all over the world, will be shown in theaters and converted screening venues in Park City and Salt Lake City from January 19-39. 89 of these are world premieres.
Yes, there will be celebrities. And, yes, you will see them walking down Main Street like regular folk.
The reigning king of Sundance is, of course, Robert Redford. One of the festival founders and its principle namesake (the festival was officially named Sundance in 1991 after Redford’s famous film: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), Redford’s Sundance brand is synonymous with independent film which he promotes through his Sundance Institute and cable channel.
Redford and other Hollywood A-listers like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Parker Posey, may overrun the town with their limos and entourages, but the mountains are likely to be empty. Here are some of the deals resorts are offering this year:
- Deer Valley, the best resort as voted by SKI Readers this year, is offering a “buy three get the fourth night free” special at participating Deer Valley properties January 18-30.
- Canyons Resort will provide discounted lift tickets and a complimentary daily breakfast to every guest staying at a Canyons Resort property during the festival through the Ski, Stay, & Savor package ( http://www.canyonsresort.com/lodging_packages.html?pacid=56) . No minimum stay required.
Many seminal films have debuted at Sundance throughout its history, so you might catch the next Napoleon Dynamite or Reservoir Dogs. Highlights this year include Red Hook Summer, Spike Lee’s latest joint, 2 Days in New York, actress/director Julie Delpy’s follow up to 2 Days in Paris, featuring Chris Rock, and the highly anticipated documentary West of Memphis about the wrongful conviction of three teenagers for murdering three 8-year-olds in West Memphis, AK in 1994. See a complete schedule here. You can purchase tickets on the Sundance website. Tickets cost $15 each and sell out fast. However, a select number of “waitlist” tickets are available before each screening. Special discounts for film students and Utah residents are available.
For more tips on how to do Sundance like a pro, click here.
