The Sundance Institute is bringing its signature films to several Utah cities this summer.
The 2019 Summer Film Series started July 3. All screenings are free admission and include films from previous festivals, as well as guest appearances and movies that were screened during this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
“The summer series is a good event for all. It’s free, you can bring a picnic to the venues, and you get to see some really cool films,” says Mike Thorpe, a community member for Sundance.
The final screening Aug. 21 at Red Butte Amphitheater is a community choice. The public is invited to vote on which film will be screened. In collaboration with Women at Sundance, each pick is an award-winning film made by female directors.
The program began in 2012 and aims to support gender equality for women in the film industry.
“I think it’s super cool how 45% of this year’s films in Sundance are directed by women. I like to see the support for females in the film industry because women directors and their work often goes unnoticed and deserve much more credit,” says Isabelle Beckstead, a film student who is planning on attending the community choice screening.
The nominees for this year’s community choice screening include “Leave No Trace” directed by Debra Ganik, “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” directed by Desiree Akhavan, “Band Aid” directed by Zoe Lister-Jones, “Me and You and Everyone We Know” directed by Miranda July, and “Little Miss Sunshine” directed by Valerie Harris.
“Life, Animated” (Aug. 2, Park City) and “Science Fair” (Aug. 9, St. George) will also be screened during the month of August.
The Sundance Film Festival started in Park City in 1985. Hundreds of moviegoers gather to seek new and upcoming artistic talent, and original storytellers display their work in hopes of gaining new perspectives from their audience.
Perhaps the most renowned part of the festival is the awards ceremony, where the lives of directors and filmmakers can be changed forever after receiving recognition for their projects.
The 2020 Sundance Film Festival will take place Jan. 23 through Feb. 2.
