Every year in northern Utah, one of the nation’s top independent film festivals takes place in the snow-capped mountains of Park City. Expert storytellers and passionate film enthusiasts gather together to share their stories and find inspiration. What started as an idea to promote Utah filmmakers is now an established festival that’s gained worldwide critical recognition and praise. We’re talking about none other than the Sundance Film Festival.
In this article, we’re taking an inside look at the Sundance Film Festival. We’ll start with its origin story and end with how you can attend this world-class festival. Let’s begin by going back to 1978, when two university students came together to expand the reach of Utah’s local filmmaking community.
The Sundance Film Festival Story Started in 1978
Sundance Film Festival started in Salt Lake City, Utah August 1978 when recent film BYU graduate, Sterling Van Wagenen, and Utah Film Commissioner, John Earle, had the idea to host a film festival for Utah filmmakers. Thus, the Utah/US Film Festival was founded. Van Wagenen and Earle’s vision for the festival involved the following three goals:
- Host a national event that would bring in more filmmakers to Utah.
- Showcase well-known American classics, followed by panel discussions with filmmakers, critics, and others.
- Start a competition where films outside of the Hollywood industry could be shown to a wider audience and gain higher recognition.
The first year was mildly successful, bringing in large audiences to screen indie films and high-profile panelists like actress Cicely Tyson. Over the next few years, the Utah/US Film Festival went through many name changes and continued to draw in crowds of filmmakers and film fanatics.
In 1981, one circumstance in particular would begin the trajectory for the Utah/US Film Festival to be pushed into the limelight. Well-known actor Robert Redford, who was one of the festival’s board chairmen, started the Sundance Institute to promote independent film, risk-taking, and emerging creatives in American film. Redford’s Sundance Institute took over the festival in 1985 and changed the festival’s name to what we know it today—the Sundance Film Festival. Although the festival was successful before, the Sundance Institute takeover quickly turned the festival into a public spectacle.
Today, the Sundance Film Festival draws more people each year while expanding its award categories and earning significantly more industry and press attention. It is now the largest independent film festival in the US, with a combined in-person and online viewership of 423,000 people in 2023. So what actually takes place at this festival? Keep reading to hear what the Sundance Film Festival is all about.
The Basics of Sundance Film Festival
Although the Sundance Film Festival started in Salt Lake City, it’s now held in Park City, Utah with additional events in Ogden, Salt Lake City, at the Sundance Mountain Resort, and it can even be watched online. The Film Festival takes place around the end of January, and lasts for about ten days. If you’re attending the festival, you can expect your schedule to be quickly filled with film screenings, panel discussions, and more.
Before buying a ticket for the Sundance Film Festival, you might wonder what a typical day at the festival looks like. What goes on at this indie festival, and what should you expect as an attendee? While you’ll most likely be wiped out by the end of your time at the festival, you’ll also feel filled to the brim with inspiration because of what you experienced. Here’s what to expect at the Sundance Film Festival:
What to Expect at the Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival involves ten days of film screenings, panel discussions with directors and celebrities, workshops, and filmmaker Q&A sessions. What we’re saying is it’s basically a film lover’s absolute dream. About 200 films are shown during the festival, which yearly boasts a variety of award-winning filmmakers and independent artists. Film genres include dramas, documentary features, short films, and episodic content.
In short, there’s plenty to see and do at the Sundance Film Festival, so it’s important to plan, study the festival schedule on the Sundance site, and figure out what you want to watch or what events you’ll attend throughout your attendance. After you check out the schedule and decide which parts of the festival you’ll participate in, it’s time to purchase the tickets. We’ll give you a brief rundown of the ticket-buying process.
How to Attend Sundance
One of the best things about the Sundance Film Festival is that it’s open to anyone and everyone. Whether you’re an up-and-coming director or you’re just someone who loves film, you’re welcome to attend Sundance! To attend the festival, you can either purchase individual tickets or a festival pass. What’s the difference between a ticket and a pass? The individual tickets are great if you’re just interested in seeing specific films or attending certain panel discussions. They can be bought online or at various festival box office locations in Park City. If purchased in person, be prepared for long lines and extended wait times.
There’s also an option to get a ticket package that includes a total of ten tickets. A festival pass is another convenient way to have access to multiple film screenings, and they ensure entry to popular showings. Even with a pass, it’s encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before the screening to ensure a good seat and less waiting time.
3 FAQs About the Festival
Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions we hear about attending the Sundance Film Festival:
- How much does it cost to attend Sundance?
The cost of attendance depends on the type of ticket you purchase. Festival passes can range from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars. However, individual tickets start at around $25. Ticket packages range in price but also usually start at around $25. You’ll also want to consider other expenses such as transportation, lodging, food, souvenirs, and parking fees. - What should I wear to the Sundance Film Festival?
For the festival, you’ll want to wear warm clothing and stay bundled up! Park City is a frigid city in January, and it’s important to stay cozy with sweaters, scarves, long coats, and a good pair of wool socks while you’re experiencing all that the Sundance Film Festival has to offer. - Where can I stay for the Sundance Film Festival?
Park City has many accommodations including hotels, vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and more. It’s important to consider your budget and book in advance. Since Park City is a small mountain town, accommodations fill up very quickly around the festival season. Plan ahead of time to save money, time, and stress!
Work With a Creative Studio Trusted By Sundance Film Festival
Perhaps you’ve attended Sundance and feel motivated to start that film project you’ve been dreaming of for a while. You can start right now with the help of Avalanche Studios. After all, we’ve earned a spot on the list of Sundance Film Festival’s choice of creative studios to partner with. Since 2008, the Sundance Film Festival has trusted Avalanche Studios with content creation, extensive film coverage, and more. Our team has captured Sundance’s movie premiers, red-carpet events, film panels, brand experiences, and more. Over the years, we’ve built connections with countless Sundance attendees who are now some of our best clients.
When you partner with Avalanche Studios, you’re working with an award-winning team endorsed by one of the nation’s top acclaimed film festivals. Avalanche Studios’ diverse portfolio represents exactly what we’re capable of. Whether you have a fresh idea for a television commercial or want to create the next blockbuster hit, we’re all ears to hear what you have in mind. Let’s make your dream a reality. Contact our team to start working on your next film project today.
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