Utah Community Programming

Utah Community

Program

Utahns smile at the camera during the 2020 Community Screening of Coded Bias

As a mission-driven nonprofit arts organization that’s rooted in Utah, the Sundance Institute hosts local events and programs year-round that aim to: 

  • Connect local audiences to the Sundance Film Festival 
  • Introduce local audiences to independent film and immersive media.
  • Explore social issues and stories from around the globe.
  • Unite audiences and cultures through the power of storytelling.
  • Share the filmmaker’s journey with audiences and emerging filmmakers, including students.

January 16, 2025: Community Team Update

Happy Festival!

Single tickets are now on sale! Plus, we’re thrilled to offer four free in-person open-caption screenings and one online screening exclusively for Utah locals. Get all the details HERE. 

We hope you have a great Festival!

Join Our Locals Email List

BLOCK PARTY IN SALT LAKE CITY

Don’t miss Frame by Frame, an immersive block party experience on the closing weekend of the Sundance Film Festival featuring live music, art installations, local businesses, and more. Free event for all ages in downtown Salt Lake City (223 Floral St) on Saturday, February 1 from 6-10pm.

Performances from
Sasha Marie, Enzo, Social Antidote and Gato

Art Installations from S I S T E R

Live Screen Printing from Copper Palate Press

In partnership with The Blocks Arts District, Utah Film Commission, Visit Salt Lake, Salt Lake City and Fice Gallery.

 

2024 Sundance Film Festival Local Lens and Best of Fest Program

These screenings create a unique sense of community among locals during the Festival and allow many in the community to participate in our programming who may not otherwise have an opportunity to do so.

Here is what we showed for the 2024 Festival

Thelma
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 5 p.m.
Redstone Cinemas – 1, Park City
Plus on-line free access.

Luther: Never Too Much
Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City

FRIDA
Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 6:30 p.m.
Redstone Cinemas – 2, Park City

All films will be presented with open caption.

Best of Fest Screenings 

Thelma
Friday, January 26, 2024 | 4 p.m.
The Ray Theatre, Park City

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story 
Saturday, January 27, 2024 | 4 p.m.
The Ray Theatre, Park City

Will & Harper 
Saturday, January 27, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City

Freaky Tales
Saturday, January 27, 2024 | 9:30 p.m.
Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City

Love Me 
Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City

All films will be presented with open caption.

How to Sign Up for In-Person Screenings:

  1. Click on the film title above or find the film page on festival.sundance.org
  2. Scroll down to the screening times
  3. Select the screening date/time that is marked as Local Lens OR Best of Fest
  4. Add the screening to your cart
  5. Go to checkout
  6. Enter your Utah address when prompted
  7. When confirmed, the price will reduce to $0
  8. Continue regular check out process


Contact customer support if you have any questions or difficulties.

Sundance Film Festival: Local Lens

Summer screenings of past Festival favorites.

Learn More

Community Access to the Sundance Film Festival

Community access to the Festival.

Learn More

Festival Screenings for Students

Inspiring the Next Generation of Storytellers within grades 9–12.

Learn More

Here’s what some #sundancelocals have to say about past events.

It was so meaningful to our team that we were able to do a community screening at the Utah State Correctional Facility. Of the entire week packed with so many highlights, our Community Screening was up there! It helped us think through what an impact campaign for our film could look like, and have direct conversations with the population our story touches.
2024 film team for Daughters Alex Holmes, Director2019 Student Screening of Maiden
This film gave me a much better perspective of my own life’s place in this world. I see my privilege, environment, and education so differently.
Attendee2021 Community Screening of Life in a Day 2020
I think this film perfectly encapsulated teenage angst and feelings of uncertainty with family and growing up. I was really happy to see more Asian American representation on screen as well, defying the harmful model-minority myth. Overall the film was really heartwarming and beautifully done.
Student, 12th Grade2021 Student Screening of Marvelous and the Black Hole
Thank you Sundance for giving me and my family the opportunity to look deep into our souls and see the world in it’s (sic) reality through film.
Attendee2022 Community Screening of La Guerra Civil
It was such an accurate portrayal of life. The simple, chaotic, powerful, sweet, tough, joyous moments all in one. Beautiful and honestly cathartic after this year. I needed that tonight. Thank you!
Attendee2021 Community Screening of Life in a Day
I teach at-risk, vulnerable students at a public alternative high school. Sundance's student program offers our students a chance to participate in an exclusive event that they would rarely if ever have access to outside of school.
Teacher, Polaris High School
I thought it was a fantastic way to share whats happening around the world that we otherwise wouldn't know about.
Student, Park City High School2024 Filmmakers in the Classroom program
It got my students and staff fired up. We engaged in discussions of feeling outraged, depressed, hopeless, amazed, and wanting to do ANYTHING to help (around the world and in Brazil specifically).
Teacher, Eva Carlston Academy2022 Student Screening of The Territory
It is hard for people living in the state of Utah to break into the industry. I will keep trying and I am thankful for the opportunity to meet others. Thanks so much.
Attendee2024 Filmmaking Deep Dive: Honing Your Pitch
My fiancé and I were visiting SLC and found this event online. It was truly a highlight of our trip. The pre-screening chat with a geologist was so interesting and put things into perspective, and I loved that audience members could ask questions. It felt like an intimate hang-out with friends to watch a great film.
Attendee2022 Community Screening of Fire of Love
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Sundance Events for Local Filmmakers

Sundance Events for Local Filmmakers

Filmmaking Deep Dive: Honing Your Pitch with Industry Insights

Including an interactive speed pitching session, an industry best practices, and an AMA with Festival programmers. In-person, Salt Lake City, Fri. July 28, 10 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Learn More >

Explore Deadlines for Labs, Fellowships, Grants, Programs

Learn More >

Online Learning
Experiences for creators: registration and applications @ Sundance Collab

Learn More >

Local Happenings

Check out events led by our partners and film allies in Salt Lake and Summit County.

You can find more events at Nowplayingutah.com

2021_Keri Farewell - Park City_Erika Cespedes_0232

Arts & Culture

Upcoming Community Events

2019_Talent Forum Keynote_Jemal Countess_1366

Independent Film

Davey Foundation, Grants

Park City Film Series, Park City

Park City Institute, Park City

Park City Song Summit, Park City

Salt Lake Film Society Film Screenings, Salt Lake

Spyhop Productions, Salt Lake

Utah Documentary Association, Local resources

Utah Film Center Screenings and Events, Salt Lake

Utah Film Commission, Local resources

Utah Film Festival, Film classes and other activities for local filmmakers

Highlights from Summer 2024

Fun times had by all!

Audience at My Old Ass screening: Red Butte Garden Amphitheater. 2024. Photo by Sam Emenogu
Pre Screening for Layla; Director Amrou with performers Madazon Can- Can and Kay Bye. 2024
Audience at My Old Ass screening: Red Butte Garden Amphitheater Photo by Kate Pearson. 2024
Director of Sugarcane, Julian Brave NoiseCat with audience members. 2024. Photo by Miguel Mendoza
Tabling at the Latino Arts Festival. 2024. Photo by Shirley Reyes
See More

Sundance Institute’s Utah Community Programs are supported by:

Host State
Community Supporters
Principal Sponsor
Major Sponsors
Official Providers
Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre