All I could see were feet. It was our first trek up the hill of Main Street and my only view were the Uggs of the girls in front of me, which I had to watch closely because without good traction it was only a matter of minutes before the entire group of us were taken out and sent tumbling down the mountainside. I was also focusing on the terrible discomfort of my new jeans, which were extra tight due to the thermals I had underneath. I was also layered with two pair of socks, three shirts, a jacket, a coat, gloves, a hat, and a scarf. Still, my toes and fingertips had gone numb and I realized the trip down Main would not be all fun.

We had traveled from DePauw University with intentions of watching/reviewing films and interviewing filmmakers for a class. I am a senior and an aspiring actress on the verge of embarking into the difficult world of film, therefore, I came to Sundance with my own added flavor of networking intentions. As I watched the meticulous movement of the Uggs in front of me, I wondered how on earth I would accomplish anything if I was unable to look at the people who crossed me in the street. My guts overpowered fear and I looked up. I was embarrassed to discover that every person I crossed made an open effort to stare—a slight thrill washed over me and the refrain “I’m glad I bought these jeans” ran through my head. I then realized these people were not staring at my jeans (even though they looked fabulous), they were hoping I was a star whose sighting would make their trip worth the money.

That was my first taste of Sundance: a place of extremes. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States and a place where the small voices of the industry have the opportunity to speak as loud or soft as they want, in whatever language they desire, and find an audience who will listen and appreciate their unique words. The downside is that the Sundance Film Festival has become a popular trend for well-known names (i.e., Paris Hilton), a place to flash their faces and clothes, adding a nice bit of excitement to the average citizen. It’s ironic that a festival that promotes the opposite of Hollywood attracts Hollywood onto its streets, and it is this aspect that voices the mixed-up ideals of our media-ridden society.

For me, it is obnoxious to walk around the crowd that festers outside a building, praying to see someone famous, and whose appeal is a fabrication of the media. I have been pushed into the street many times as I walked to and from films, and I find it rather funny to hear the cameraman yell “Back UP!” as he probes a lens into an oversized black vehicle. But, regardless of the added annoyance, these moments add the kind of excitement that completes the ambiance of Sundance. For what is the appeal of the Festival if it doesn’t open up opportunities for filmmakers to enter their unique voices into the mainstream, and change the shape of the culture our society imitates?

Only at Sundance lies the roots of change, and it is our duty to take the negative alongside the positive. We hope those with the power will make business deals which pull new voices out of Sundance to pursue careers in film. Only when they succeed can the focus of our media change, allowing society a chance to mold itself into new understanding. For this reason, I am an avid fan of Sundance because the positive intentions of this mountainous community outweigh the negative aspects that come along for the ride. The filmmakers prove there is beauty in the world and it will be the responsibility of wealthy production and distribution companies to lift up the eyes of the gifted and push them into the light.