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I learned something really interesting about this festival season. I got to know some of Sundance Channel’s plans at the Sundance Film Festival (from January 20th through 30th). For the first time ever, Sundance Channel will open a “Sundance Channel HQ,” located at the heart of the action at 692 Main Street. A physical, TV and digital hub “Sundance Channel HQ” will connect festival-goers, movie-lovers and trend-watchers everywhere to the films, faces and fashions of Sundance 2011. What is the only thing I don´t like about this? That I won´t be able to attend this time around. Damned!
What is Sundance Channel HQ?
? HQ – Sundance Channel’s first-ever consumer experience in Park City
? Nearly 10,000 Sq Ft at 692 Main Street
? Open to the public Jan 21-28
? Broadcast center for on-air coverage
? Media Center welcoming press, bloggers and consumers to work, re-charge your gadgets and relax (That´s right entertainment bloggers… pay a visit to Sundance Channel HQ. It will be worth it!)
? Meeting place for talent, filmmakers and consumers to hang out and grab a bite (Cafe will offer coffee, lunch and open bar from 3:30 to 5:30)
? Graffiti Wall, signed by celebrity guests – artist in residence Marthalicia Matarrita will sketch celebrities as they’re interviewed.
? Daily giveaways and VIP premiums (You are not going to miss on these ones, are you?)
In addition, Sundance Channel’s on-air coverage, “10 Days of Sundance” will include daily Festival video updates, and wide-ranging interviews at Sundance Channel HQ with the year’s most buzzed-about directors and actors as well as special double feature presentations nightly at 8:00 PM that celebrate the raison d’être of the Sundance Film Festival.
Are you going to miss it?
Sundance Film Festival Information
Sundance Film Festival’s presentation of films by Native filmmakers and the annual Native Forum. A gathering of Indigenous filmmakers from around the world, the Native Forum provides a platform for artists to share their expertise and knowledge through an Indigenous ShortsLab, panels, networking events and special screenings.
This year’s Festival will provide a world stage for Native filmmakers whose works include seven short films and four feature films from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. In all, 11 Native communities will be represented: Tsilhqot’in, Métis, 1J?WL5DQJL Atihaunui a Paparangi, Navajo Nation, Hopi, Laguna Pueblo, Iñupiaq, Taranaki/Ngati Tama Ngati Mutunga, Native Hawaiian and 0?RUL. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
Following President and Founder Robert Redford’s original vision, Sundance Institute is committed to supporting Native American and Indigenous filmmaking. The Native American and Indigenous Program has made strategic investments to help emerging Native American filmmakers through the Native Lab Fellowship and collaborative investment in Indigenous filmmakers, along with the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, Documentary Film Program and Sundance Film Festival.
In addition to the films, the Native Forum will feature events to celebrate and bring together the Native community at the Festival. Both the Native Forum Brunch on Monday, January 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and the Native Forum Reception on Thursday, January 27 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., are invite-only, and a ticket or RSVP are required to attend. The Native Forum will also host the Indigenous ShortsLab, a panel of Festival programmers and award-winning short filmmakers to discuss important questions, such as: What makes a good short film? How can it be financed? How are short films programmed at festivals? Why make a short film? The Indigenous ShortsLab will be held on Thursday, January 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New Frontier 2011 MicroCinema, located at 1354 Park Avenue in Park City. A ticket is required for entrance.
Films presented at Sundance Film Festival Native Forum
?E?anx (The Cave) / Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Helen Haig-Brown [Tsilhqot’in]) – A hunter on horseback accidentally discovers a portal to the afterlife in this fantastical version of a true Tsilhqot’in story. Short Film Competition
Choke / Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Michelle Latimer [Métis]) – Upon leaving his First Nations reserve, Jimmy encounters the lost souls of the city and is reminded that no matter how far you travel, you cannot escape who you are. Short Film Competition
The Devil’s Double / Belgium (Director: Lee Tamahori [0?RUL] Screenwriter: Michael Thomas) — An extraordinary chapter in recent history providing a chilling vision of the House of Saddam comes to life through the eyes of the man who knew too much. Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Mimoun Oaissa, Raad Rawi, Philip Quast. Premieres
Ebony Society / Aotearoa-New Zealand (Director and Screenwriter: Tammy Davis Atihaunui a Paparangi]) – One night out stealing; two boys learn a lesson. Short Film Competition
GRAB / USA (Director: Billy Luther [Navajo, Hopi, Laguna Pueblo]) — Three families in the Laguna Pueblo tribe prepare for Grab Day, when they throw groceries from a rooftop to the community waiting below – an annual community-wide prayer of abundance, thanks and renewal. Documentary, narrated by Parker Posey. Native Showcase
Mad Bastards / Australia (Director: Brendan Fletcher; Screenwriters: Brendan Fletcher in collaboration with Dean Daley-Jones, Greg Tait and John Watson) — In a frontier town of northern Australia’s Kimberley Region, an urban street warrior meets his match in a local cop. Performances and stories from real people in Kimberley are woven through the music of legendary Broome musicians, The Pigram Brothers. Cast: Dean Daley-Jones, Greg Tait, John Watson, Ngaire Pigram, Lucas Yeeda. World Cinema Dramatic Competition
On the Ice / USA (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean [Iñupiaq]) — On the snowcovered Arctic tundra, two teenagers try to get away with murder. Cast: Josiah Patkotak, Frank Qutuq Irelan, Teddy Kyle Smith, Adamina Kerr, Sierra Jade Sampson. U.S. Dramatic Competition
Redemption / Aotearoa-New Zealand (Director: Katie Wolfe [Taranaki/Ngati Tama Ngati Mutunga]; CoScreenwriters: Tim Balme, Renae Maihi [Nga Puhi/Ngati Hine, Te Arawa/Ngati Wakaue], and Katie Wolfe based on the short story by Phil Kawana [Ngaruahinerangi, Ngati Ruanui, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitane]) – A boy. A girl. A step too far. Short Film Competition
The Rocket Boy / USA (Director and Screenwriter: Donavan Seschillie [Navajo Nation]) – A young boy’s
limitless imagination creates a dilemma between reality and dreams. Short Film Competition
Stones / USA (Director and Screenwriter: Ty Sanga [Native Hawaiian]) – Set in the ancient times in the
islands of Hawai’i, a forlorn woman living in isolation with her husband meets a child from a nearby village and contemplates whether she should bring her into her mystical world. Short Film Competition
Wapawekka / Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Danis Goulet [Métis]) – A final visit to their isolated cabin in northern Canada reveals the inter-generational rift between Josh and his traditional Cree father. Short Film Competition.
What do you think about Sundance Channel HQ and Sundance Film Festival? Let me know in the comments section. Also follow me on Twitter for more Sundance Film Festival Scoop.