Sundance hits the road for one night only
Every January, paparazzi and celebrities take over the quiet little mountain town of Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival. Created by Robert Redford, Sundance is known as an outlet for new and unknown filmmakers. It had cultivated a reputation as a place where the decidedly “unHollywood” film crowd could celebrate film that mattered. But more and more we hear criticisms that the festival seems to have lost its original vision and become a place for corporate sponsored events and parties, and where once you found great indie films, you now find big studio features gearing up for nationwide release.
Many have proclaimed their chagrin as to the changes that Sundance has experienced, and it seems that Sundance is responsive. Earlier this year, they announced the “Next” section, featuring six to eight films selected as innovative or original work in low- and no-budget filmmaking.
Well, now Sundance has announced it will bring the excitement of the festival to those who may not normally get a chance to be a part of it. On Thursday, January 28th, 2010 (during the goings on of the festival in Park City), they will bring films and events to eight cities around the US, with the goal being “to ignite dialogue as people across the country engage in a collective film experience.”
The cities will take part in the one day event that will host screenings of eight festival films to be followed by live conversations with the filmmakers. This is an innovative way to bring the festival spirit to those who wouldn’t normally be able to attend a festival as prestigious as Sundance, as well as a great way to gain exposure for filmmakers and the festival itself.
Sundance will announce the films and filmmakers traveling to the eight cities next month, along with the rest of the festival’s programming announcements.
Participating cities and theaters:
Los Angeles (Downtown Independent)
San Francisco (Sundance Kabuki Cinemas)
Chicago (Music Box Theater)
Brooklyn (BAM)
Nashville (Belcourt Theater)
Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Theater)
Brookline, Mass. (Coolidge Corner Theater)
Madison, Wis. (Sundance Cinemas Madison)
Source Variety
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