Hi, newbie around these parts, and was wondering if any of you have gone, and I'm sure some of you will have done so, to the Sundance Film Fest.

I'm looking for whatever help you may give, what to look for, traps to avoid, and just to get in an in-depth discussion about the prospect.

Thanks for all help in advance.

RL

It's been 7 yrs since I've been, so I'm sure there have been lots of changes. Try to get your tickets before you go if possible. I went without tickets and had to wait stand-by the first day and then waited for the box office to open around 7 am the other days to get my tickets.

Make sure to plan extra time to get from one showing to the next if they are not all in the same building. I got lost tyring to get to a screeing at the actual Sunance Institute and drove into a blizzard. It was very scary. There are shuttle buses to get around town.

Try to catch some Slamdance, Slumdance, Tromadance, etc., etc. screenings as well. There are some pleasant surprises. There are usually some cool parties that anyone can get into.

Food wasn't that expensive at the places I ate. But, I didn't eat that much anyway. I went from one screening to the next all day and snacked most of the day.

Hope this helps some.

Keep your eye on the American Spectrum category of Sundance (winner gets the "audience award"). its more likely to exhibit films selected for how good they are, instead of hype or how hard a filmmaker's press agent pushed to get it in.

If you haven't already, book a place to stay. Like right this minute. Right now is about when a lot of places are gone.

I agree with that. I wound up staying 45 minutes outside of Park City in Sandy, UT. Driving on those icy roads at night was tough.

I'll keep that in mind indeed. Any other experiences that previous Sundancers are aware of that might be cool to take in the first time?

THanks again to everyone who has replied thus far. Thanks to those who will.

So who is going to be going to Sundance? We might have someone from DVD Talk There this year!

just a heads up, i got both my films in in time for ROADANCE, an on-the-street fest around park city going on right now. they project films on the back of a cube truck outside theatres around town - egyptian, eccles, etc. for more info on the fest:
www.roadance.com

ZZalgern0n
"10 Ways to Install a Better Dad" - 3 min., super8
http://www.ZZalgern0n.com/10WaysToInstallABetterDad.mov

ZZalgern0n & the 3rd graders of Animation Station
"Animation Station" - 2:12 min., Flash
http://www.ZZalgern0n.com/AnimationStation.mpg


both films were also unanimously accepted into competition at tromanale film fest in berlin, germany feb. 10-20 & are screening at echo park film ctr. in los angeles tonite (1/27) at 8pm.

I went this year. Anyone seen any good films there this year?
I saw: Happy Endings, Dear Wendy, The Jacket and the Dying Gaul.

I saw photos of the cast of The OC and the Hilton sisters at Sundance. Has that festival really become a huge Hollywood party?

I think it has always been a Hollywood Party but it keeps getting bigger from what I hear. This was my first year and I saw a bunch of celebrities just walking around but as far as getting into the Parties, you pretty much have to know someone.
I wish I could have been there to see the OC kids. That would have made my trip. Where did you hear this info and are there links to any pics??

I saw it on yahoo.