Sundance Film Festival Awards

Back in 1978, there was not very much happening in Utah to attract tourists. The Utah Film Commission then came up with the bright idea of having a film festival once a year. This is how the 'Utah/United States Film Festival' came to be.

During the early years, a few independent films were shown, but the festival consisted more of presentations and seminars. This resulted in it apparently being quite a boring affair. However, from 1985 a few things happened that eventually turned the whole show around. So much so, the Sundance Film Festival is now considered the major film festival in the United States. Holding its own amongst other festivals held in Cannes, Toronto and other parts of the world.

When he founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, I don't think Robert Redford had any idea how much he would eventually contribute to the success of the festival. He named the institute after one of his favorite characters 'The Sundance Kid'. A non-profit organization, the aim of the institute was, and still is, to help young independent filmmakers showcase their films.

When he became chairperson of the festival in 1985, Robert Redford set things in motion that would put the festival on the map.

By 1991, not only did the festival have a new name: The Sundance Film Festival, it had also been moved to Park City and was now held in January every year. With the Redford connection and a ski resort as venue, the Sundance Film Festival became a very popular event.

Many an unknown filmmaker has been propelled to success by the festival. Steven Soderbergh with his Sex, Lies and Videotape and Quentin Tarantino with Reservoir Dogs come to mind. Movies such as The Blair Witch Project, Saw, Napoleon Dynamite and The Full Monty might have gone unnoticed if not for the festival. Today you actually know, be successful at the Sundance Film Festival Awards and you are just about guaranteed success.

Not all movies shown at the Sundance Festival is necessarily received in a positive way. Some seem out to shock and really get people very hot and bothered. This year a few that are considered 'out-there' are "Zoo", "Black Snake Moan" and Hound Dog"

Even though standing in line for a good part of the, the Sundance Film Festival is something you should experience at least once. Not all films are worth mentioning, but you are bound to discover a few gems.

Over the years, some people have tried to turn the Sundance Festival into a media and advertising circus. To some extent they succeeded, but the organizers have distanced themselves from this and even distributed buttons that read "Focus on Film" to filmmakers at the 2007 festival. One can only hope that the festival will remain independent and not become a Utah Hollywood.

Fact is, the festival is a hip and happening event. Whichever way you look at it, the Sundance Film Festival is still the best opportunity for independent filmmakers to be noticed, and hopefully, become successful.

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