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What does the indie film market look like in the wake of Hollywood strikes and a pandemic?

Jan 26, 2024
The Sundance Film Festival has seem some big buys, and renewed interest especially for the small screen.
A lot of indie filmmakers are making movies meant to be seen in theaters, but that market doesn't necessarily exist anymore at Sundance, says Variety film critic Peter Debruge.
Mat Hayward/Getty Images

With the Sundance Festival finally back in person, filmmakers have high hopes for distribution deals

Jan 20, 2023
The majority of films debuting at Sundance are still in need of wide distribution. Some believe having the festival in person for the first time since 2020 will help.
Filmmaker Ebs Burnough and Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente speak onstage at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Sundance Film Fest and other big events are back after battle with omicron

Jan 18, 2023
Hundreds of businesses rely on major commercial and arts gatherings for much of their annual income.
In Park City, Utah, Sundance's cancellation of in-person events hurt local businesses in 2022. Hotels and restaurants are looking forward to welcoming guests this year.
George Frey/Getty Images

If film festivals are about networking, what's a virtual Sundance about?

Jan 21, 2022
Sundance, one of the biggest opportunities for filmmakers to get distribution deals, is online for the second time this year.
People and cars walk and drive up and down Old Main Street where filmgoers would have gathered for the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 6, 2022 in Park City, Utah.
George Frey/Getty Images)

As omicron cancels festivals and other events, businesses that support them are reeling

Jan 6, 2022
The Sundance Film Festival, for example, just canceled in-person events two weeks before they were set to begin.
People pass a banner for the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. The festival canceled its in-person program, a blow to local restaurants, bars and hotels.
George Frey via Getty Images

In Chung's "Minari," seeing the American dream through the eyes of a Korean-American family

Mar 10, 2021
"And if my daughter can see it one day, that'd be great," says Lee Isaac Chung, writer-director of "Minari."
The cast of "Minari." Back row from left: Steven Yeun, Yuh-jung Youn and Yeri Han. Front row: Alan S. Kim and Noel Cho.
Photo by Josh Ethan Johnson, courtesy of A24

Are movies the right vehicle to discuss public policy?

Jan 12, 2017
This year, the Sundance Film Festival will feature a category of documentaries and special projects about climate change.
Al Gore appears in "An Inconvenient Sequel" by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, an official selection of the Documentary Premieres program at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Courtesy of Sundance Institute

For public good, not for profit.

TV joins the party at the Sundance Film Festival

Jan 25, 2016
The premiere venue for showcasing independent film is making room for TV

Betting on an indie darling doesn't always pay off

Aug 7, 2015
Critically-acclaimed independent films have had a tough summer.

So you want to fund a film festival

Jun 18, 2015
What are the economics of film festivals, and why are there so many of them?