Cynematik on IndieWIRE

I have been attending the festival since 1996 and I have a few insights and suggestions for choosing films. These are strictly my opinions. Sundance has several categories of films that are screen. They are:

• Premieres — Premieres screen most often in the evenings, generally have well-known cast members, can be a known actor's directorial debut, and nearly all will generally get distribution.
  
• Dramatic Competition — These 16 films (and documentary below) get the bulk of the awards (and, accordingly, press coverage) at the festival; they are dramatic narratives, may or may not have known cast and crew. About half generally get distribution.
  
• Documentary Competition — The other 16 major films, the documentary competition category receives a number of awards and most will be distributed theatrically, on PBS or cable channels.
  
• American Spectrum (non-competition drama) — Other dramatic narrative or documentary films the selection committee selected for screening although they are not in competition. Fewer of these films are distributed.
  
• American Showcase (new category last year) — Another grouping of non-competitive screenings that doesn't seem to have returned this year (but may yet).
  
• Short Films — Most short films are grouped and screened en masse but several are screened with a similar or complementary feature. There are usually four or five groups and an Animation, Native American, and Frontier grouping as well. An award is given for short films. Short films are rarely distributed except through Sundance and/or IFC premium cable film channels.
  
• World Cinema (documentary and dramatic categories) — One of my favorite categories. I have seen some of the BEST films in this category. Perhaps the thing I love most about world cinema is that the stories are fresh and different and the settings are unfamiliar. It makes for an exciting viewing experience. A few of these films get distribution.
  
• Native American Cinema — Films made by or with a Native American sensibility. This category has grown dramatically over the last ten years.
  
• Frontier — I am not very fond of this category. These are films that often have a VERY non-traditional story-telling style, graphic imagery, discordant sound, and extreme points of view. While I'm glad they make room for leading-edge exploration at the festival, I'm awfully glad I don't have to watch them.
  

If that doesn't seem like enough, there are additional events and screenings that compete for your time and attention.

• Tributes — An independent filmmaker, visionary is honored each year.
  
• Panel Discussions — I LOVE these things. Read my summary of the B. Ruby Rich panel from a few years ago to get some insight.
  
• Park City at Midnight — For people who stay up much later than I want to and enjoy being cold.
  
• Sundance Collection — Often historically relevant films. I rarely have enough time to see any of these.
  
• House of Docs — Screenwriters delight in scripts to read and writers to meet.
  
• Music Cafe — Last year Hem was there, as was Beck. Michael Stipe showed up one year. Always fun.
  
• Sundance Institute Village — For people who like to drive an hour into the wilderness and see where the workshops are held, catch a screening or dine at the (pricey) restaurant. One year, there was an avalanche that trapped folks at the institute for a day or so.
  
• Animation Spotlight — See every variety of animation!
  

Yesterday, I also spent a lot of time updating the Links for Short Films from 2003. Some have IMDB links, media links, website links and interview links.
The film festivals are an amazing experience that I think ALL film lovers should have at least once in his/her life. Start planning for it now! Next, I'll talk about packages, hotels, and transportation. If you find this information interesting or valuable, comments (below) are welcome.

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