Utah Community Programming

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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, Sundance Institute hosts local events and programs year-round that aim to: 

  • make the Sundance Film Festival accessible to Utah residents.
  • introduce Utah 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.

March 1, 2023: Community Team Update

That’s a wrap! Thank you for joining us at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. 

This year, we offered 19 free film screenings to our neighbors and local high school students. These screenings were a way for us to give back and show our appreciation to you.

We’ll be back in the Spring to announce our Summer line-up of free indoor and outdoor screenings throughout the Wasatch front and back! So be sure to subscribe to our Local Lens newsletter below.

Join Our Locals List

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

Connect With Us Year-Round

We have activities year-round for Utah Locals, including special events at the Sundance Film Festival. From our free Local Lens screening program to events for local filmmakers, make sure to explore our featured events.

Sundance Film Festival

Gain access to the Festival through free screenings, special events, and discounts on ticket passes and packages.

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Local Lens Screening Program

We present free screenings of past Sundance Film Festival films in Utah.

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Find Us Around Town

We work with awesome organizations and table at your favorite events. Come say hi!

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Festival Screenings for Students

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

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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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Upcoming Events

Sundance Events for Local Filmmakers

Master Class: Finding & Negotiating Distribution for Your Film with Elsa Ramo
Free during the live virtual session only.  Friday November 18, 11am – 2pm MST Sundance Co//ab

Learn More >

Writer’s Café
Every Monday and Friday

FREE on Sundance Collab

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Explore Deadlines for Labs, Fellowships, Grants, Programs

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

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Local Happenings

We work alongside several amazing organizations across Utah. Explore events and learn more about some local artists and organizations.

Spotlight

Spotlighting the incredible work of local artists and community organizations. 

Coming Soon!

Community Events

Check out some events led by our partners and film allies. 

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Highlights

Fun times had by all throughout the years!

Guests hang out before a free screening of 'Get Out' at the Red Butte Garden Amphitheater. Photographer: Lauren Wester
Guests attend a free community screening of 'Top End Wedding' at The Ray Theatre in Park City. Photographer: Dan Campbell
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Sundance Institute’s Utah Community Programs are supported by:

Principal Sponsor
Major Sponsors
Community Sponsors
Community Collaborators
Medium Studio, Park City Film, The Utah Black Chamber