Sundance Film Festival

Highlights from North America's most important Festival for Independent Films

The sun doesn't dance too often in Park City, Utah, USA. The town always comes alive in winter, as it borders three major winter sports areas, Park City Resort, Deer Valley and The Canyons. But the town is not only the headquarters of the US Ski Association: For 40 years, it has also been the main venue of the famous Sundance International Film Festival, one of the most important festivals for independent films. It is organised by the Sundance Institute, which was founded by actor Robert Redford in 1981 - he named it after his role of the Sundance Kid in the classic western film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" ("Two Bandits", 1968). In 1985, the Sundance Institute took over the management, and in 1991 the festival was renamed the Sundance Film Festival. Worldwide, it is valued as a springboard for up-and-coming directors and as a marketing and PR platform for the films. Many independent filmmakers owe their breakthrough to the festival, including Kevin Smith, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, James Wan, Marc Forster, the Coen brothers and Jim Jarmusch.

In 1985, the Sundance Institute took over the management, and in 1991 the festival was renamed the Sundance Film Festival. Worldwide, it is valued as a springboard for up-and-coming directors and as a marketing and PR platform for the films. Many independent filmmakers owe their breakthrough to the festival, including Kevin Smith, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, James Wan, Marc Forster, the Coen brothers and Jim Jarmusch.

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