It was one year ago that celebrities, fans, and paparazzi began to descend on Park City for the 2020 annual Sundance Film Festival to see some of the year’s best movies as well as attend star-studded events, panels, and lounges. While there will be films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, it will look very different than years past- but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The 2021 Sundance Film Festival will take place almost exclusively online. While that may not mean the same level of excitement on Park City’s Main Street, the virtual event will offer more opportunities for people around the world to participate without having to travel to Utah.
This year’s festival will take place from January 28- February 3, 2021. While there will be limited opportunities for press and other industry professionals to attend certain in-person screenings and events, the bulk of the festival will take place online. Festival attendees can gather in virtual waiting rooms, participate in live Q&As, and congregate in new, inspired online environments to interact in a range of ways both new and familiar.
Last month, the Sundance Institute unveiled its full lineup of feature films which range from quirky and creative shorts to activist-inspired documentaries. A full lineup can be found here. Almost all films will be available for public screening, but “tickets” are limited. The festival offers a variety of single film tickets as well as all-access passes that allow users access to panels and special features such as the world-famous New Frontiers experience. Tickets and passes can be purchased here.
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New Frontiers, of the festival’s most-anticipated experiences that showcase cutting-edge innovative technology, will rely on technology to showcase seven experiences broadcast via the internet using Oculus VR equipment. A full lineup of New Frontier Events can be found here.
The festival will also be hosting a diverse lineup of online special events, panels, conversations, and activations available for free to the global public. The online Cinema Café, presented by Audible with Questlove, Rita Moreno, Robin Wright, and many others, is a series of informal chats that bring together special guests for thought-provoking encounters- all online.
The Blackhouse Foundation will host a series of panels and special events including the Facebook Shorts Directors’ Roundtable, the United for Equality Scripted Event, Sunday Brunch with Seen Black Filmmakers Intro, and more. More information can be found here.
One thing is for certain- with temperatures in Park City averaging about 17 degrees in late January, viewing this year’s Sundance masterpieces will certainly be warmer from the comfort of your own home.