Going to Sundance!

Seven Days in the Indie Film Capitol of the World

by Ilene Marder, January 10, 2009

On my way to Sundance.... leaving at 3am from Newark Airport to make an early morning flight to Salt Lake City, then an hour shuttle to Park City. I am traveling with Meira Blaustein, founder/director of the Woodstock Film Festival, to help promote our 10th Anniversary festival this fall. Hanging with Meira is great because she knows just about everyone and we get invited to all the cool parties and events. The action really starts in the airport lounge, where so many New York industry types and filmmakers gather prior to boarding, already talking up their films and planning which events to attend.... for many, it's like old home week....

I've been to Sundance three times, but this year I scored a press pass, which means I gain access to many key screenings and happenings. It’s good to be getting back to reporting…or sorts. I was a political reporter for many years and I miss the rush of news! I plan to file this blog at least once a day, offering reviews of films and general commentary on the often hilarious goings-on of Park City....

For the past few days I have been rsvp'ing to receptions and going through the roster of more than 120 films and some 90 shorts. I am blown-away by the number of films at Sundance with Woodstock Film Festival connections!!! So many films & filmmakers who were nurtured at WFF, industry stars who are regulars at WFF panels - I am reminded yet again about how important WFF is to the international indie scene.
(By the way, you can find many of these links in the latest WFF newsletter....
http://woodstockfilmfestival.com/newsletters/09_01.htm).

On Thursday, we will be going to the Opening Night film - MARY AND MAX, a clay animation feature film (!) from Academy award-winning short film creators Adam Elliot and producer Melanie Coombs, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Toni Collete, and narrated by Barry Humphries. It's about two unlikely penpals - an 8 year old Australian girl and and a 44 year old severely obese New York man. It's based on the director's own pen-friendship that lasted for twenty years. ...Should be interesting. I'll let you know.

This is Sundance's 25th Anniversary year - for their list and synopsis' of films, visit:
http://festival.sundance.org/2009/film_events/.

YOU CAN SEE SOME SHORTS FOR FREE ON LINE AT ITUNES! Sundance is also highlighting a

selection of 10 short films over 10 days on the iTunes Store
(www.iTunes.com). All 10 films will be available as FREE downloads
beginning January 15 and running through January 25, 2009....check it out.

There's also LOTS of music...more on that, from Park City in a few hours.....
Stay warm!
I.