The O2, London, 15th March 2011 – Robert Redford, the non-profit  Sundance Institute and AEG Europe today announced Sundance London, a four-day multi-disciplinary arts festival that will include film screenings, live music performances, discussions, panels and other public cultural programming to be held 26th – 29th April, 2012 at the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue, The O2.
AEG Europe, owner and operator of The O2, Robert Redford, and his non-profit Sundance Institute will join together to present films from American filmmakers as well as current  American music. Sundance Institute, which annually presents the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A, will act as curator of the film component , while AEG Europe will use its industry-leading venue and marketing teams to stage and promote music and other related  events at The O2.

Speaking to press at The 02, Robert Redford said, “We are excited to partner with AEG Europe to bring a particular slice of American culture to life in the inspired setting of The O2, and in this city of such rich cultural history.”  Redford continued, “It is our mutual goal to bring to the UK, the very best in current American independent cinema, to introduce the artists responsible for it, and in essence help build a picture of our country that is broadly reflective of the diversity of voices not always seen in our cultural exports.”

Alex Hill, Senior Executive Director at AEG Europe said: “The O2 is famous for its exciting and diverse events schedule, but we’re particularly proud to be hosting Sundance London next year.  Mr. Redford’s passion for the arts, the depth of his many businesses and the curatorial reputation of Sundance Institute are world renowned and we see this as a natural extension of the music and sporting events presented at The O2 since we opened in 2007. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to the best of the film industry in 2012.”

From Los Angeles, Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute added: “We look forward to bringing to UK audiences some of the most exciting independent American films from the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.  The environment provided by AEG and The O2, coupled with London’s reputation as a global cultural destination, should make for a rich and rewarding festival experience and provide the artists with a unique and memorable opportunity.”

Ends
Press contacts:
Stephen Farmer, AEG, stephen.farmer@aegworldwide.co.uk or 07725 588 976
Brooks Addicott, Sundance Institute, brooks_addicott@sundance.org or   001-435-776-7857

Notes to the Editor:

About Robert Redford
Robert Redford is an Academy Award-winning actor, director and producer, a passionate advocate for the arts and a leading environmentalist.  He serves as President of the non-profit Sundance Institute, which he founded 30 years ago to foster independence, discovery and new voices in American film and theater. Mr. Redford also founded the Sundance Channel, Sundance Resort, Sundance Catalog, and Sundance Cinemas and the non-profit Redford Center. Though very different in their activities and independent in their operations, all of Mr. Redford’s Sundance entities share the same core mission he has always held dear: a passionate connection to new artists, new voices and new perspectives. Mr. Redford’s latest film, The Conspirator, can be seen in theaters later this month.   www.sundancegroup.net

About Sundance Institute
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a global non-profit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America.  www.sundance.org

About AEG
AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. It owns or operates some of the world’s best arenas and theatres, numerous sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and LA Galaxy (MLS), and a collection of companies dedicated to producing, promoting and presenting world-class live entertainment.

In May 2005, AEG Europe announced that it would transform the former Millennium Dome and the surrounding area into the UK’s most exciting and technically advanced music, sport and entertainment destination. It was renamed The O2 and opened in June 2007.  The centrepiece of the multi-million pound development is the 20,000 capacity indoor arena, the most popular music arena in the world.  There is also a live music venue – indigO2 – with a capacity of 2,350, The O2 bubble – a state of the art exhibition space that is host to the British Music Experience, a permanent, high-tech, interactive music museum and new temporary exhibition, ‘Titanic’, an 11 screen cinema complex, and a vibrant ‘Entertainment District’ featuring a variety of bars, restaurants and leisure facilities.

The O2 arena sold more tickets than any other arena in the world last year – making it the most popular music venue in the world for the fourth year running.

Since opening The O2 has picked up many industry awards including Venue of the Year at the Music Week Awards, Pollstar International Arena of the Year (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) and Best New Major Concert Venue, Venue of the Year at The Event Services Association and Favourite Venue at the TPI Awards.

In Zone 2 of London’s Underground, The O2 is situated on the Greenwich Peninsula next to the North Greenwich station on the Jubilee Line, which provides direct access to central London in less than twenty minutes. Thames Clippers, fast-speed catamarans run a ferry service from central London to North Greenwich pier next to the venue every 20 minutes.

The O2 is an official venue for the 2012 Olympics hosting both the gymnastic and basketball events.

AEG employs more than 3,000 staff in over 45 operating companies worldwide. Its international head office is in Los Angeles, and its European headquarters is based in London