Julienne Lin
When you’ve made it to Park City, you’re ready to zip up your fleece, watch some films, sample some restaurants, and get the whole show going. Whether you’ve flown from across the country or are a Park City local, you want to hit the ground with all the info you need to quickly move from point A to point B. This guide will help you navigate the Festival, and make the most of your trip. This year, your favorite accessory will be the Sundance Film Festival iPhone application, which lets you access the schedule, search films, find directions to venues, read stories, and watch videos about everything unfolding around you. Along with theses tips, you’ll be ready to take on the Festival.
Getting Around
The cheapest, greenest, and most convenient way to get around Park City is taking the FREE shuttle buses or walking, so please leave your cars at home! There is no free parking at any of the Festival venues and the traffic can be enough to ruin your festive mood. Ditch the stress and use the shuttle, which operates daily from 6:10 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. The buses go everywhere from Deer Valley to Main Street to Kimball Junction and stop frequently at every Festival theatre and venue. If you like traveling on foot, use one of the lighted pedestrian paths throughout Park City to get to your destination.
If you feel that you must drive, parking will cost between $10-20 (cash only) at the lots behind Festival headquarters, and the China Bridge Parking Structure one block east of Main Street. Don’t park illegally, as the Park City Police take their job very seriously. If you are staying outside of Park City and driving into town, you can park your car at one of the official Festival parking lots, all of which are marked and served by Park City buses.
If you like traveling east coast style, there are a good number of taxis waiting to take you to your next destination in Park City. Make sure you get a good cab driver’s number if you’re planning on staying out late because you’ll be battling other night owls for a ride.
Tickets
Advance Tickets
If you managed to get Advance Tickets, but did not request express delivery, you can pick up your tickets at any of the four Festival box offices during business hours. If you have questions about pre-purchased tickets, packages, or passes, email festivaltickets@sundance.org or call (435) 776-7878 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. You cannot pick up your tickets at theatres. See at bottom of this article for Box Office locations.
Couldn’t decide which movies you wanted to watch until now? It’s okay. Here are four ways you can get tickets.
- Day-of-Show – Each day starting at 8 a.m., the Festival releases a limited number of tickets to that day’s screenings at the Park City and Salt Lake City box offices to you early birds. Tickets for the first screening of the day are released at 8 a.m. the day before the screening takes place. You must purchase Day-of-Show Tickets in person.
- Waitlist It – Numbered waitlist vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis two hours before every screening begins. (You get one voucher per person). For the first screening of the day, things are a little different. Waitlist numbers will be distributed one hour before the scheduled screening time. After you have received a voucher, return no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled screening time. Line up according to your waitlist number and purchase cash-only tickets ($15.00 each). You cannot save places in line. Having a waitlist number does not guarantee you tickets, but don’t worry. Thousands of Festivalgoers see films every year without Advance Tickets. If no spaces are available, ticketed Waitlist Festivalgoers will receive a full refund.
- Go for the Big Ones – Your chances of getting into a film without Advance Tickets are best at the three largest theatres: the Eccles Theatre, the Racquet Club Theatre, and Library Center Theatre.
- Take a Road Trip – If there is a specific film that you just have to watch, you can try catching it at one of the Festivals’ non-Park City venues in Salt Lake City, Ogden, or the Sundance Resort from January 22-31. For Sundance Resort shuttle times call the Sundance Resort concierge at (801) 223-6000.
Music and Panels
Sundance House Presented by HP
No disrespect to silent films, but oftentimes music plays a huge role in filmmaking. BMI will be hosting events at the Sundance House Presented by HP including a Roundtable Discussion and BMI Snowball concert. Whether you want an in-depth discussion on the technicalities of award-winning scores, or just want to enjoy some live music and cocktails, these events will add color to your evenings. All Festival Credential Holders welcome!
- A Celebration of Music in Film takes place Sunday, January 24 at 8:00 p.m.
- Roundtable Discussion: Music and Film, The Creative Process takes place Wednesday, January 27 at 11:00 a.m.
- Music Showcase: BMI Snowball takes place Wednesday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Sundance ASCAP Music Café
The Sundance ASCAP Music Café is the spot to discover a wide range of bands and artists, both emerging and established. Live performances will take place at the café, which is located on Main Street at the Stanfield Gallery. With the diverse lineup, there will be something for all musical ears to enjoy.
- This year’s showcase will feature live performances from The Fray, LeAnn Rimes, Sonos, and Sam & Ruby, to name a few.
- The Music Café is open January 22 to 29 from 1:30 – 6:00 p.m.
- Open to all Festival Credential Holders and the general public, attendees must be 21 and over. Be sure to get there on time because of limited capacity.
Special Panels
Here’s your chance to interact with some of the most brilliant minds of the Festival. Special Panels offer you the opportunity to engage in debate, critical insight, and in-depth conversation about the always-evolving art world.
Panel: Can’t Be Done!
Are poverty, public education, and global warming too entrenched to remedy? No. You can fix the world, and this panel will discuss how.
- Panelists include Muhammad Yunus, Geoffrey Canada, and Lester Brown.
- January 23, 2:30 p.m.
- Prospector Square Theatre, 2200 Sidewinder Dr.
- Purchase ticket here
Panel: The Doctors Are in the House! A “Rethinking Distribution” Omnibus
IndieWIRE’s Eugene Hernandez asked, “Is There a Doctor in the House?” in regards to the battered independent community. Join industry experts, filmmakers, and strategists in exploring the reignition of indie film distribution.
- January 25, 2:30 p.m.
- Prospector Square Theatre, 2200 Sidewinder Dr.
- Purchase ticket here
Panel: The Many Faces of Anna Deavere Smith
Join Anna Deavere Smith, known for her work in film and television, as well as writing several successful plays, in conversation as she explores our national identity.
- Panelists include Anna Deavere Smith
- January 28, 3:00 p.m.
- Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St.
- Purchase ticket here
Panel: Art in America
Rethink the relevance of film and art in regards to the core of our society. What role should government play in the arts? And how can art foster permanent change in a disposable culture?
- January 28, 11:30 a.m.
- Prospector Square Theatre, 2200 Sidewinder Dr.
- Purchase ticket here
New Frontier
Explore the fusion of art, film, technology, and dialogue in an immersive media lounge environment at New Frontier on Main. This year’s lineup includes works by Nao Bustamante, Gina Czarnecki, Petko Dourmana, Jens Franke and Thomas Gläser, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Eric Gradman. New Frontier will be open to the public on Thursday, January 21 to 30, presented by HP and Sony Electronics, Inc.
Cinema Café
Start your mornings at 10:30 a.m. at Cinema Café located at the Filmmaker Lodge. You are invited to FREE open discussions with the Festival filmmakers and guests as they talk about their work. Check the online film guide for the full schedule. A few highlights include Walter Murch, Russell Banks, and Nicole Holofcener.
At the Lodge
FREE daily panels are hosted at the Filmmaker Lodge, which provides a spot for you to meet filmmakers. The Lodge is complete with a café and comfortable lounge. Panels include:
- The New War Stories held Monday, January 25 at 1:30 p.m.
- The NEXT Generation: How Low Can You Go? held Tuesday, January 26 at 1:30 p.m.
- Saving Democracy, One Story at a Time held Wednesday, January 27 at 1:30 p.m.
- Speaking Truth to Power: A Film and Social Justice Roundtable held Thursday, January 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Food and Drink
To Eat
What better pair is there than dinner and a movie? Park City has many different dining scenes to offer from fancy restaurants to cafes to Park City’s one and only grocery store Fresh Market (formerly Albertson’s). Whether you’re in the mood for steak, Japanese, or Italian you’ll be able to find something you like in Park City.
Drink Up
Staying hydrated is uber important in high altitude. For the second year in a row, Brita will help eliminate disposable plastic bottles at the Festival by providing Brita-filtered water and FilterForGood Nalgene bottles. Pick up a limited-edition FilterForGood reusable bottle and carry it with you to refill at Brita Hydration Hubs around the Festival.
You might have heard that the adult beverage drinking scene in Utah can get a little complicated. Well raise your glass to 2010! You can order mixed drinks, wine, beer, and shots without any problems while dining at a Park City restaurant or bar. The old laws about purchasing a membership to drink in a bar have been lifted.
- For a quick drink, you can purchase 3.2% beer in grocery and convenience stores. Hard liquor and wine purchases require a sojourn to one of the three State Liquor Stores in Park City: 333 Main Street, 1550 Snowcreek Drive at Snow Creek Plaza, or Kimball Plaza at Kimball Junction. Note: The State Liquor Store on Sidewinder Drive sells only to owners of clubs and not to the general public.
Morning Sustenance
You might need a caffeine boost to get you started for another big day. There are coffee shops and snack bars available to recharge your batteries.
- The New Frontier on Main Street (333 Main Street, lower level, across from Egyptian Theatre) serves a good cup of Joe as you enjoy the story-revolutionizing media installations.
- Most theatres serve snacks and coffee in the lobby or in tents directly outside, giving you a nice warm-up station. Make sure to check theatres for any signs prohibiting food and drink.
- And of course, there is always Starbucks.
Carve It Up
Since you’re visiting Park City for the Festival, you should take advantage of other activities it has to offer. Park City has some of the best ski resorts in the U.S., such as Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, and The Canyons. Ski runs are fairly empty during this time since most people are out watching movies. Why not hit the slopes?
Shopping
Want a Festival souvenir to commemorate 2010? Be sure to visit one of the Festival stores to get a cute T-shirt, beanie, or poster. Products are repurposed, recycled, or reusable. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Sundance Institute. You can shop online anytime or if you feel like browsing you can find a store at one of these locations:
Festival Store at the Gateway Center
136 Heber Ave.
Main Street Store
625 Main St.
Eccles Theatre Store
(main lobby)
1750 Keams Blvd.
Headquarters Store
(Park City Marriott, Uinta Room)
1895 Sidewinder Dr.
Main Box Office Locations
Park City: Gateway Center
136 Heber Avenue, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Salt Lake City: Trolley Square
700 East 500 South, second floor, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sundance Resort: one hour outside of Park City
North Fork, Provo Canyon, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ogden: one hour outside of Park City
2415 Washington Boulevard, noon – 5:30 p.m.
