A First timers Guide to everything what goes around in Sundance Film festival!

 

Every year around the middle of January, a mass moving takes place in the western state of America, Utah. The mass moving includes the people from the communities of Cinema all around the world and especially from the United States of America. An amalgamated mass of celebrity hunters, industry people, Critics and filmmakers are seen heading to the resort town Park City, located exactly about 30 miles from the Salt Lake City, for the one and the only ‘Sundance Film Festival’ that takes place annually.

 A networking hub, an exhibition and what not! It won’t be wrong to say that ‘Sundance is a lot of things’. Considered as an exhibition for the most excitingly produced independent films from the US and around the world, Sundance turns out as a fortune teller of the year’s movie trends. Giving out the most to the independently charged filmmakers, it serves as the best networking hub for filmmakers and another talent (s) who are looking to break into the movie business.

Earning itself the title of the largest independent film festival in the United States “Sundance” is still a bit hazy for the vast majority of people. What is it? Where did it come from? Why does it matter? The answer to all your 5w’s and 1 H are here.

What is a Sundance Film Festival?

Not just a place to spot celebrities in puffy jackets and furry boots; Sundance Film Festival is a palate cleanser after the hectic fall movie season. Straddling into two worlds Sundance is a big name! a) An award-winning movie world and b) The Scrappy Indie Film World for all the cinema lovers, attending Sundance is like getting the first inklings of Oscar buzz. Organized also as a forum, it is the best opportunity for the creative minds to come together on a dialogue platform as huge as this for discussing issues and groundbreaking technologies that affect film and media today.

 Put simply, as one of the most exciting events among others of the year. Sundance helps independent films find an audience, both at the festival and after it. For people who love movies, anything can happen in the Park City. Sundance Film Festival is a feeling in the air that any movie could be a breakout hit; any talent could become the next star. The Film Festival is that one spot to kick-start your career and fly high and high and high in the sky!

What happens at the Sundance Film Festival?

 At Sundance Film Festival, independently produced films are selected to play for screenings which are made available for acquisition at the festival, the screenings then help independent films get their start with independent production companies or filmmakers who get enough investment (or invest their own capital) to get the film off the ground, these films need an audience, and that’s where festivals like Sundance and distributors come into picture.

Sundance Film Festival offers special screenings for the Distributors where they can watch the movie and decide on the acquisition of the films. The chances of being bought by the distributors or studios go way up for an independent film when it gets selected for Sundance; Studios like Netflix have had deep pockets for acquisition at these screenings in the Sundance Film Festival.

How does a Film get selected at the Sundance Film Festival?

Every year to get into the list of selection these Independent Creators have to get into the tussle of tough screening scrutiny. Filmmakers must submit their films ahead of time for consideration to the festival’s panel of programmers and if they’re lucky, the film will be selected to play at the festival both to press and industry!

But the chances to get selected at the festival are as thin as the needle. Reportedly, in 2017, 4,068 feature-length films were submitted for consideration, the submissions were inclusive of 8,985 short films. And the results were as shocking as we expected! Ultimately, at most only 113 feature films made through the process of selection. Out of these 113, Thirty-seven of the features came from first-time filmmakers, 98 of them were world premieres which means they haven’t been shown anywhere else before and 32 were from countries other than the United States of America.

What’s stored in it for you?

You see, Sundance isn’t just about buying and selling of the movies!
To cater to the movie lovers attending the festival, Sundance organizes movie screenings which include some non-movies — that are there not to compete, but for the movie lovers who are to attend the movies.

 The Sundance Film Festival organizes special events such as screenings of TV series and screenings of films that were premiered at other festivals along with some other musical performances, presentations, panel discussions, and star-studded conversations focusing on the development of the independent filmmakers.

With a jury of experienced filmmakers, festival directors, and experts there are various sets of prizes given out in different sets of competitions running throughout the festival. With prizes like the Grand Jury, films gain a foothold with the audiences. Also, there are some competitions running under the audience category where the audience attending the screenings fills out their ballots for their best movie in the festival to win.

I am not a movie lover. Is the festival still worth attending?

Yes. Sundance has a bit of a spring break feel; it is like an adventure island, but with an older crowd to it. Park City will be a lot of fun for you if you want to party and mingle in the snow – there are parties for everything — from celebrating achievements, brands, film premieres, and production companies — these are all open for you to have fun.

Clustered with brands sponsors like Chase Sapphire, Canon, and Stella Artois also set up shop in various locations all over town. Sipping on their coffee cups you may find Journalists interviewing filmmakers and while discussing their review of their films. And almost everyone at least likes movies, so you’ll still probably have plenty of fun.

If you like winter sports you could go skiing too, there’s definitely no better mix of action and social life like it but who has the time?

We at TravelUR have some amazing itineraries and travel plans for you to explore around the Sundance. You can also rely on your travel companion for booking at best and comparative rates in market. Have a happy travel and holidays.