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.

May 1, 2024: Community Team Update

Happy Spring! 

We are busy planning our summer screenings as well as lining up different events to come and meet you. We will be at The Living Traditions Festival in Salt Lake City on May 18–19 where we will be playing three short films from this past Festival, Bay of Herons, Ekbeh, Baigal Nuur – Lake Baikal, and Winding Path. 

You’ll also be able to come and say hi to us at the following events where we plan to have a table:

Utah Pride Festival, June 1-2, Salt Lake
Latino Arts Festival, June 14-16, Park City
And others to come

Stay tuned for more information about our summer events!

Join Our Locals List

If you live in Utah, sign-up for our email list to receive updates on special events.

2024 Sundance Film Festival: Local Lens 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

Local Lens Summer Program

Summer screenings of past Festival favorites.

 

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.

For me this was the most rewarding screening of the festival…the depth of engagement and overwhelmingly positive response from the students made every moment of the four years we took to make the film feel worthwhile.
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
The film was inspiring, charging, and the jolt my 12th graders needed at this time in their lives. They are jaded by life right now, and this film helped remind [them] of the power of action.
Teacher, Salt Lake Center for Science Education2021 Student Screening of Homeroom
I know people who have been deported. I know people who have avoided deportation. But I never thought of it as quarantine. Documented people need to hear it like this, to understand the lives of undocumented people better, because now we can all relate.
Student, Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science2022 Art of the Short Screening of We Are Here & Close Ties to Home Country
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
The film was excellent, but the discussion with the directors and two additional guests at the end was phenomenal! Thank you!
Attendee2022 Community Screening of The Janes
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 Deepdive: Pitching your Project

In-person, Salt Lake City, Fri. July 28, 11a.m.-1p.m

Learn More >

Explore Deadlines for Labs, Fellowships, Grants, Programs

Learn More >

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

Learn More >

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

Learn More >

Local Happenings

Check out some 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

May Events

The Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association: GOLDEN SPIKE 155TH ANNIVERSARY SYMPOSIUM – May 9, Salt Lake City 

Aradhana 2024 – May 10-12, Salt Lake County

Living Traditions Festival– May 17-19, Salt Lake City

June Events

Downtown Farmers Market – June 1 – October 19, 2024, Salt Lake City 

Utah Pride Festival – June 1-2, Salt Lake City

Utah Asian Festival – June 8, Salt Lake City

Latino Arts Festival, June 14-16, Summit County

Utah Arts Festival –  June 28, 29, 30, Salt Lake City.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2024 – June 28, Salt Lake City

2019_Talent Forum Keynote_Jemal Countess_1366

Independent Film

Davey Foundation: Grants

Park City Film Series, 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

Fun times had by all throughout the years!

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Sundance Institute’s Utah Community Programs are supported by:

Host State
Community Supporters
Principal Sponsor
Major Sponsors