I've been receiving some post Sundance emails, and it sounds as though everyone is sick and/ or just nearing the end of the popular (by numbers) Sundance swag.

I was sick as a dog at The Reel Roundtable's weekly screening on Monday (but went anyway -- couldn't miss the fun), anyway, my friend Hillary (an actress) was at the screening and strongly recommended that I invest in some 'Oregano Oil'. She promised I'd feel 100% in a day.

Not wanting to delay my return to good health, I took her advice and picked some up after work on Tuesday. I admit I had my doubts...but to my surprise, I felt 100% today.

Hillary said the stuff cured her 6 month long sinus infection.

If anyone is in need, it's sold at all health food stores. Take 5-10 drops without water a few times a day. The stuff is pretty strong.

Slamdance was in full force this year. Gaming competition, on-the-fly competition, features, docs, shorts, online films, symposiums, nightly parties and an amazing staff which made everything that much easier.

Kathleen McKinnis had her first year as festival director with Slamdance, Peter Baxter began working on the Slamdance Distribution side, Dan Mirvish and Paul Rachman are the glue & the personalities that keep the festival together, Skyzz in his 11th year as the perfect projectionist, Dave is the brains behind Slamdance.com, Vanessa the super-duper publicist, Howie with events, Sarah with the filmmakers, on and on.

When at Slamdance, it's a comfortable, ego-less trip, simply enjoying the wonderful films made by creative directors...two of which were bought this year and many of which will continue onto a full year of festivals and fun.

The Slamdance closing night was a great time as always, singing and dancing with Dan Mirvish to the sounds and sight of the one and only Funk Legend George Clinton at the helm of the mic. He had the place rockin as he charmed young and beautiful girls on stage with his sexy P-Funk rhythms.

I've decided to join the ranks and like everyone else in Park City...get sick. Grateful for my extra strong immune system, I didn't get hit until after returning home.

This surprises me, especially since the days are long, working daily, happy hours beginning at 3pm/ 4pm and nights are neverending.

Especially the Four Eyed Monster parties, if you can get through those...you can get through anything. Their first party was rough, and their second party must have been equally as rough and twice as long. I understand that I missed some exciting moments that evening...everyone (Holly, Carl, Matt, Kathleen, Craig, Bill) naked in the hottub...that's what happens when you pass out in the sauna (I was never the sharpest tool in the shed). Thankfully someone turned the heat off.

I have to admit that I saw things at the Four Eyed Monsters parties that I've never seen before at Sundance; at both parties people brought full home-cooked trays of food. I know the actors are skinny, but it never occured to me they are too too skinny?

For now, time to detox.

There are three things to do while attending the "Dances" (aside from skiing, boarding, restaurants)

1. movies
2. parties
3. work

Most try and accomplish all of the above but this is a very difficult task, even for those who are successful with time management.

The opening night film, MAD HOT BALLROOM, is the second film to sell to major distributor.

Described as the “little film that could”, the opening night movie of the 2005 Slamdance Film Festival sold today to Paramount Classics who will distribute it along with Nickelodeon.

“We are so delighted for Marilyn and Amy (Director Marilyn Agrelo and Writer Amy Sewell),” commented Festival Director Kathleen McInnis. “This movie reaffirms so much the joy of life and I can’t wait for the rest of the country to see what we saw. We knew we were making some bold moves this year, focusing on the truly independent and documentary films, and we’re thrilled it paid off so handsomely.”

ThinkFilm has acquired Canadian rights to the Mark A. Lewis tragic-comic adventure ILL FATED.

The deal went through following the film’s U.S. Premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival.

ILL FATED is the Coen-esque tale of a recent high school graduate who’s desperate attempt to leave his small town is complicated by his troubled girlfriend, promiscuous mother, and the return of the father who abandoned him 17 years earlier after impregnating his best friend’s wife.

Slamdance Film Festival Director Kathleen McInnis said, “We are delighted with the news; ILL FATED is a craftily-woven tale with dozens of twists and turns, and I couldn’t imagine a better company than ThinkFilm to bring it to the public.”

The Slamdance Film Festival is sure keeping filmmakers and audiences alike busy from morning through night. Their line up of events as well as their family atmosphere keeps everyone on their toes with a variety of options involving films and Slamdance-style, outside-the-box events.

For example, Slamdance co-founder Dan Mirvish and Film Threat's Chris Gore, had an intimate conversation in the outdoor Jacuzzi of the Treasure Mountain Inn yesterday. It was a conversation for all to attend, clothing optional. Dan & Chris opted for the liberal film community chat.

On Sunday night was Slamdance's awesome Opening Weekend Party at Suede, aside from their programming, Slamdace is know for mastering the party Park City party scene...they have it down to a science.

The Slamdance Film Festival's opening night is tonight and RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, is not their opening night film, but it is a highly anticiapted doc which will be playing at the Treasure Mountain Inn at 11pm tonight.

Directed by Carlene Cordova, Ringers: Lord of the Fans is a feature length doc exploring the The Lord of the Rings and how it has influenced popular culture for the last 50 years.

The cast includes Peter Jackson (of course), Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Andy Serkis, John Rhys-Davies, Philippa Boyen and many others.

Elijah Wood and Billy Boyd will be attending the screening this evening, maybe they'll have their pointy ears on?

This morning Slamdance had their annual press conference at the Treasure Mountain Inn on Main Street, only this year Kathleen McInnis is the new festival director.

They introduced the filmmakers, the sponsors, the BRAND NEW gamming competition and their brand new On-The-Fly Filmmaking Challenge. The focus of the challenge is to spotlight the creative talents of filmmakers. A hat (not Dan Mirvish's) was held high in the air, inside the hat was pieces, each with a word written on the paper. The filmmakers reached in to draw a piece of paper, and the word on the paper would determine the subject of the film they will be making over the course of the next five days.

The On-The-Fly filmmakers will have to conceive, shoot, edit and screen a five-minute documentary based on a word drawn out of a hat.

The three filmmakers who were chosen and who actually agreed to do participate are Amy Elliott, Karin Hayes and Paul Willis. The chosen words were snow, vein, and art...if I remember correctly.

The Slamdance sponsor BAWLS, an energy drink with 3x the caffeine as coffee will definitely come in handy this week for these folks.

You can catch these 5 min docs at 6:30pm on Thurs. Jan 27th.