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.

November 2, 2023: Community Team Update

Happy Fall!

Hopefully you have seen the Festival ticket pass/packages we are offering to locals! If not, information can be found on our Festival ticketing page.

Utah nonprofits and collectives that would like free tickets for their community members can visit the link below for more information about our 2024 Festival Community Access Program.

If you are a Utah teacher for 9-12th grade students and would like to bring your students to the Festival, please read more about our Festival student program. 

Lastly, we’ll be announcing our free community screenings in December. 

For more arts events happening in Salt Lake and Summit County for both filmmakers and film lovers check out the community events section. 

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: Local Lens

July 26–29 featuring favorites from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

View the Program

Sundance Film Festival

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

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

November

FilmQuest Film Festival, October 26 – November 4, Provo

PitchNic Premiere 2023, by Spyhop Productions. November 2, Salt Lake

Filméxico 2023, Salt Lake Film Society. November 9-16, Salt Lake

Illuminate Light Art + Creative Tech Festival, November 10-11, Salt Lake

Check out other screenings and events from the Film organizations under Independent Film.

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!

See More

Sundance Institute’s Utah Community Programs are supported by:

Host State
Principal Sponsor
Major Sponsors
Community Supporters
Community Collaborators
Red Butte Garden