Guide: Sundance Film Festival
Updated: Jan 19
I celebrate Sundance harder than New Year. It's my favorite thing to do in January
Utah!
This year's festival is January 19th – January 29th, 2023. The schedule can be seen HERE. Single tickets are on sale TODAY. Between the films, parties, panels and free swag, here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Sundance Film Festival!
FILM
Sundance is all about the film. I recommend getting a nice palate of tickets, checking out the New Frontier & Co-Op, going to parties and ending the trip on the ski slopes or The Crater.
My tickets include premieres at the Egyptian Theater, US & World Dramatic, documentaries and shorts. You can never go wrong with the Shorts Program because there's 3-6 films in one block and you're bound to like one of them.
Film Watch List
Top Picks for 2023 Sundance Films:
PREMIERES
Passages
Jamojaya
Cat Person
Deep Rising
A Little Prayer
Food & Country
Murder in Big Horn
Pretty Baby: Brook Shields
US DRAMATIC
Mutt
Fancy Dance
A Thousand and One
WORLD DRAMATIC
Girl
Mami Wata
Fantastic Machine
5 Seasons of Revolution
US DOCUMENTARY
Bad Press
Nam June Park: Moon is the Oldest TV
WORLD DOCUMENTARY
Iron Butterflies
Is there anybody out there?
NEXT
Divinity
King Coal
Bravo, Burkina!
MIDNIGHT
Talk to Me
My Animal
Infinity Pool
Polite Society
Run Rabbit Run
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls
KIDS
Blueback
Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out
NEW FRONTIER
My favorite program at Sundance is the New Frontier. This area pushes the boundaries of storytelling and technology in an interactive space where everyone is welcome to explore. Some events require tickets or special invite, but New Frontier is free and open to the public.
Co-Op
The Co-Op is a fun place to get free shit. It all depends on the brands taking over the space, but I've gotten everything from clothes to make-up to maps and really cute souvenirs to give my friends and family. There’s always free swag and a fun photo opportunity.
There’s a Sundance booth where you can get a free Sundance water bottle (while supplies last) and fill it up with Brita filtered water. I love that they do a great job reducing plastic here.
Hot Tip:
It's very dry & high in Utah.
Always have access to: Water, sunscreen & chapstick. Bonus: Lotion FTW!
Filmmakers Lodge
The filmmakers lodge is a nice place to warm up. They have areas to read trade magazines and grab coffee or cocoa. It's greatest offerings are industry panels. Most require a badge, ticket or invite, but some, you can RSVP and get in for free. I've always found these inspirational. One time, Jackie Chan was here!
There are film premieres,
SLAMDANCE
Another film festival happening in Park City at the same time as Sundance is Slamdance!
Slamdance Film Festival
Slamdance is a more independent version of Sundance. There's a real gritty, indie, underground DIY vibe in the films. The festival takes place at the Treasure Mountain Inn on Main St. in Park City the first week of Sundance film festival
Lodging
Hotels in Park City have never been more expensive. On average, hotels off Main St. cost $300-600/night during Sundance. Sometimes, $1-2K. It's always great to book an Airbnb or VRBO with friends. If you're trying to save money, Salt Lake City has a lot of great hotel options including Grand America Hotel & Hotel Monaco.
Transportation
There's the UTA bus, trolleys, UBER and LYFT. My personal favorite method is driving my own car (despite the fact parking sucks). Driving is the safest, warmest, and best way to get to Park City. The closest parking lot is off Main St. or along the road leading up to it. Beware of the neighborhood signs. Parking lots near Main St. cost $40. There's free street parking way far away.
There's a UTA bus the transports from SLC - Park City in the morning, afternoon and evening. Once you're in Park City, there are free shuttles busses that shuttle people from venue to venue. There's also a free trolley that loops Main St. Utah's public transportation UTA Route 902 has a bus from SLC - PC on the hour between 5am-8am and night buses one the hour from PC - SLC 2:40pm - 7pm. $5-10.
The greatest thing about Utah is skiing. There's no greater joy than gliding down a mountain of whip cream. There's a lift on Main St. straight to PCMR and it's heaven on earth.
Another AWESOME unique thing to do in this area is swim The Crater. The Crater is an inactive volcano that's geothermal heat keeps it nice for swimming and scuba diving.
Thanks for reading!