Sundance Film Festival

When: January each year; exact dates vary and are announced annually.

Where: Park City, United States with additional screenings in nearby Salt Lake City and at the Sundance Resort.

Cost: Ticketed event with single tickets, multi-ticket packages and industry badges; prices and availability vary by programme.

Don’t miss: World and U.S. premieres, documentary and short-film programmes, New Frontier installations and filmmaker Q&A sessions.

Park City, United States’s Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the US, organised by the Sundance Institute and rooted in the Utah/US Film Festival that began in 1978; Robert Redford and the Institute reshaped it into today’s global showcase for indie cinema.

The programme mixes competitive U.S. and international features, documentaries, shorts and experimental work (New Frontier), plus labs, panels and industry networking. Screenings and events cluster along Main Street in Park City and spread to theaters and venues in Salt Lake City and the Sundance Resort, creating a mix of red-carpet premieres, daytime markets and lively evening screenings and parties.

Park City, United States hosts Sundance every January; the festival runs once a year and exact dates change each season, announced several months beforehand. The edition typically spans about ten days, concentrating big premieres at the start and end of the run.

Opening weekend often features high-profile premieres and press, weekdays are heavy with industry screenings, panels and markets, and the festival culminates in final screenings and awards announcements in the closing days.

The nearest international gateway is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC); Park City is a drive or shuttle ride from the airport - typically around 35 - 45 minutes depending on snow and traffic. Shared shuttles, ride-hailing and rental cars are common; arrive at least a day early to acclimatise and book accommodation and screening passes well in advance, as hotels and tickets sell out quickly.

• Expect winter weather in Park City, United States: pack insulated layers, waterproof boots and a warm coat for outdoor queues and evening events.
• Buy passes or single tickets as soon as they go on sale and book lodging months ahead; many screenings and parties sell out.
• Allow extra time for travel between venues in snow conditions and use official festival shuttles when available.
• Arrive 20 - 30 minutes before a screening to secure a good seat; Q&A sessions often follow premieres, so stay for the credits.
• Be respectful during screenings and Q&As: silence phones, avoid flash photography, and wait for official photo/press areas for pictures.
• Carry ID and a credit card for badge pickup, late-night events and transit; keep belongings secure in crowded areas.