Added: 02/17/2006 |
Now Sundance Film Festival is considered to be in the same league as Venice and CannesThe Sundance Film Festival is a film festival in the United States, and ranks amongst the top five events of its type in the world. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the U.S. Held annually in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, Utah as well as at the Sundance Ski Resort, the festival is the premiere showcase for new work from American and international independent filmmakers. The Sundance Film Festival comprises competitive sections for American and independent dramatic and documentary films, and a group of showcase sections, including the Sundance Online Film Festival and the Short Film Festival. Controversially so, the festival has also become the premiere showcase for sponsors and "swag giveaways".
What began in 1981 as a little film festival out West, instigated by Robert Redford to stimulate and encourage innovative and alternative cinema, has now bloomed into a major stomping ground for the international film community. It's now arguably the world's premiere competitive marketplace for independent film.
In fact, the Sundance Film Festival has been so successful that some credit it with helping to blur the lines between big budget Hollywood fare and India cinema. Sundance Film Festival is now considered to be in the same league as Venice and Cannes. Major celebrities, film executives, and film patrons attend the Festival, making it popular not only for the quality of films shown, but also for stars who make appearances as Hollywood migrates to Park City.
Within the last fifteen years, Corporate America has also taken notice of the festival by setting up independent marketing operations during the festival. Today, controversy surrounds the festival for its shift to star-driven films, corporate sponsorships, and marketing tie-ins that have helped christen it with the nickname of "Swag-fest". Some of the organizers have regularly criticized the fact that he festival has become a press event for celebrities, with stars like Keira Knightley, Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Federline attending it.
Sundance's biggest draw is the world premieres of many of the films participating in the festival. In the past, such films as The Good Girl, Love and Basketball, and The Motorcycle Diaries have celebrated their world premieres.
Sundance Film Festival distinguishes itself by being the United States' party festival. As celebrities swarm on Park City, a full-blown ten day party begins. Festivities begin early and end late, if at all. If you get home before dawn, then you haven't really experienced what the SFF has to offer!
Something is always happening. In 1996, the Sundance Film Festival experienced a snowstorm no one could have expected. With 10 feet of snow falling within the span of 10 days, celebrities, movie lovers, and crews were trapped indoors. However, few had any complaints as everyone enjoyed the relaxing time offered by the mandatory hibernation, and the Festival still went on so few people missed screenings and premieres during the week.
The Sundance Film Festival is a special event, it has something for everyone, filmlovers and fans of winter sporting, and it is worth visiting!
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