Sundance - New Years Present

THE BIG DANCE IS BACK! SUNDANCE THAT IS! THE 2O11 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL RUNS FROM JAN. 20TH-30TH!

The Sundance Film Festival has been going strong for over thirty years now. I've been attending since 1994 and while the ability to acquire tickets can be difficult, its well worth the effort. Sundance is, quite simply, the definitive independent film showcase and has been a springboard for the careers of more film-makers than we have the room to mention in this article. Among them; Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Bryan Singer, Steven Soderbergh, Christopher Nolan, Robert Rodriguez, and Darren Aronofsky. Just this week, Sundance announced its line-up for the upcoming festival (which runs from Jan. 20th-30th). In addition to an incredibly diverse selection of shorts and features from all around the world, the festival will also offer up various film related panel discussions, workshops, after parties, and music showcases. Movies, movies, movies!!!!

Making a debut in 2011 is a category called "Documentary Features". With the escalating popularity of documentaries, Robert Redford and his expert team of programmers decided it was time to put them front and center, so expect a wide range of stunning docs. Returning for a second year after a strong showing at the 2010 fest is a category called "Next" which prides itself on the best in low budget film-making. "Next" was a springboard for the much buzzed about Catfish earlier this year. As I'm writing this, I'm skimming across the 2011 line up and I have to say, its pretty damn impressive. There's the onslaught of returning Sundance veterans (Kevin Smith's Red State, Tom McCarthy's Win Win, Mark Pellington's I Melt With You).

A plethora of great acting talent (Paul Rudd in My Idiot Brother, John C. Reilly in Cedar Rapids, Alan Arkin in The Convincer, Kevin Spacey in Margin Call, J.K. Simmons in The Music Never Stopped, Ewan McGregor in Perfect Sense, Pierce Brosnan in Salvation Boulevard, Al Pacino in The Son of No One). Midnight films galore (HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN! Enough said.) In the end though, Sundance is really about untapped talent. That's the most exciting aspect of the fest. Discovery. And keep this in mind; since none of the films at Sundance have screened publically, there are no preconceived notions about what you're going to see. The only folks that have seen these films are the programmers. What does that mean? Essentially, the buzz starts here. If you've never been to Sundance before, you owe to yourself to go at least once in your life. Its a cinematic experience you will never forget. If you do plan on attending, go to the Sundance site and register for ticket purchasing immediately because I guarantee everything will sell out. If you do get shut out, Sundance does offer up day of show ticket sales and a wait list line option. For all Sundance info including entire film line-up, ticket purchasing, and venue locations, log on to sundance.org. The big dance is back!!!!