Excitement is building for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival! This year’s festival received a record-breaking 14,259 submissions from 152 countries, resulting in the most diverse film lineup in the history of the event. Here, we review the big story of the festival – diversity, give you some insider tips to enjoying the festival, and our top film picks!
Looking for Tickets to Sundance? There are so many ways to enjoy the Sundance Film Festival. Purchase a pass, a ticket package, or individual tickets in advance or catch a last-minute screening through the eWaitlist.
INDIVIDUAL TICKET SALES
Members: January 15 | Noon–8:00 p.m MT
Locals: January 17 | Noon–8:00 p.m. MT
Public: January 22 | 10:00 a.m. MT until sold out
The 2019 Sundance Film Festival will boast “the most inclusive lineup we’ve had in a long time,” said new programming director Kim Yutani — and they have the numbers to prove it.
“There’s a shift happening, and we are not only part of it but we’re responsible for leading it,” Yutani said.
The prominence of underrepresented storytelling voices and the attention to statistics showing that growing diversity are also reflective of Yutani’s new position as the first woman and first person of color to direct the programming at a major international film festival. (SLTrib)
DON’T DRIVE!
Ditch your car and use the free shuttles – they’re your best bet for getting around town. If you must drive, park at one of the commuter lots at Ecker Hill or Richardson Flat and take a shuttle!
2ND WEEK SLOWDOWN
Most visitors come to town during the 1st week of the festival. The 2nd half of the festival is far less crowded so venues are easier to access and restaurants reservations can be obtained!
CHECK OUT OTHER VENUES
Just 30 minutes from Park City, you’ll find six Sundance Festival venues that are far less crowded. Check out all the Sundance venues here, under Theaters.
MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW!
Park City’s population more than quadruples during Sundance. Make dining reservation now and pack plenty of protein bars before you head out!
Check out Park City restaurants!
HIT THE SLOPES!
Parkites love to ski while the festival is in town, and so far only a small number of festival-goers know that it’s prime time to hit the uncrowded slopes.
With over 112 feature-length films represented in this year’s festival there is no shortage of options for film aficionados. Here are a few that are generating some pre-festival buzz.
Honey Boy
A child TV star and his ex-rodeo clown father face their stormy past through time and cinema. This film was written by Shia LeBeouf, and is a semi-autobiographical film about LaBeouf’s life. LaBouef also acts in this movie, playing the role of his “father.”
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
This film chronicles the crimes of Ted Bundy from the perspective of Liz, his longtime girlfriend. This film is headlined by Zac Efron in the lead role as Ted Bundy, and also features Lily Colins, Haley Joel Osment, John Malkovich and Jim Parsons.
After the Wedding
Seeking to fund her orphanage in Calcutta, Isabelle travels to New York to meet Theresa, a wealthy benefactor. A spontaneous invitation to attend a wedding leads to a series of events that take Isabelle on an unexpected journey into her past. Based on the Academy Award-nominated film by Susanne Bier, this Day One premiere film features a cast that includes Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams and Billy Crudup.
Untouchable
This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of movie titan Harvey Weinstein. Former staffers, college friends, and reporters reflect upon the public perception of Weinstein as a visionary, while detailing his ruthless attempts to preserve his power as scandal threatened to engulf him.
Late Night
Written by Mindy Kaling, this film features Emma Watson as a famous late-night talk-show host who is accused of being a “woman who hates women”. In order to remedy this she adds Molly (Mindy Kaling) to her all-male writers room, leading to comedy that takes on white privilege, entitlement, and a culture veering toward crassness and conservatism.
Relive
Part supernatural thriller, part time-warped police procedural, Relive is the newest release from Blumhouse Productions, the innovative horror hit makers behind Jordan Peele’s Get Out. This film, which features David Oyelowo, infuses this heady hybrid with the chills of an old-fashioned ghost story and the paranoia of a conspiracy thriller.
Hope to see you around town! Be safe and enjoy the festival!
