The Sundance Film Festival

Wes Cathcart

In the last few years, North America has become infatuated with independent films. This new interest can be seen in all its star-studded glory at The Sundance Film Festival. The festival, which is held in Park City, Utah, is one of the most publicized film events in the USA. Part of the reason for this hoopla is one of the festival's biggest supporters, Robert Redford. Redford's film school, the Sundance Institute, is key in the organization of the festival.

The highly-publicized festival takes place each year during the month of January, which means entertainment magazines are full of articles regarding celebrities, and who was at what party in which chalet. Well, thanks to the net, you can go to the official Sundance Festival site and pick up lots of great info. From this point you can check out great write ups on the films that were in competition. You can also check out past results at major film festivals in North America. A great place to check out lists of past winners at Sundance is on the Sundance Institute's page regarding the festival.

The Sundance site is a great example of how the Internet can spread knowledge and culture that even a few years ago wouldn't have been possible. The Internet has given movie lovers a way to get the exact information when they want it. Many people don't live in Utah or anywhere near there and now, instead of buying three different magazines to get the information they want, movie lovers can find it easily online.

There is no telling where the internet could take film festival coverage. One day you could subscribe to a festival and watch the film while it's being screened instead of reading about it and hoping a studio will pick it up and distribute it. The Internet could give people a chance to see films that may never be seen again.

At the Sundance Festival there is an award given by the audience for their favorite film. Many winners of that award have gone on to succeed in their other works. Can you imagine watching the films and voting for your favourite from the comfort of your own swivel chair? Independent films will be exposed to a global audience, and a filmmaker's craft will be shared with anyone who wants to see it.

As long as film festival's like Sundance keep rising, North American movies won't just be explosions and gun shots. There will be great new talent rising up and doing exciting new things in films and keeping audiences intrigued in the art of filmmaking.

Ed Burns

Writer, director, producer, and actor, Edward Burns won the Grand Jury Prize for his 1995 film, The Brothers McMullen. He has gone on to star, and do everything else in two films. He also played a bitter soldier in Stephen Spielberg's masterpiece, Saving Private Ryan.

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith tied for the Filmmaker's Trophy in 1994. He's found great success as a writer, director, producer and actor.

Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez won the Audience Award in 1993 at Sundance and has gone on to have great success as a director.

Here's a list of some great movie information sites: