I actually made it to the Sundance Film Festival this year -- after living in Utah for longer than I care to admit -- and had a great time. With no pre-purchased tickets in hand, my gal pal and I arrived in Park City at 8am, bought tickets for a 9am showing, and then stayed for the post-screening discussion. We saw two more films that day (ate lunch with the director and star of one of those films!), ate a great dinner in a deli, and then headed down the mountain and home. We even got to cast our votes for Audience Favorite film.

Park City, Utah hosts the Sundance Film Festival each January, when thousands of tourists, Hollywood types, artists, and locals flock to view the 10-days of films in nearly a dozen venues across town.

Of course, across town is usually less than a 30-minute walk. This former mining town lies at the summit of the Wasatch Mountains, and is only a 45-minute drive from the Salt Lake International Airport. Its rustic architecture, quaint shops, numerous art galleries, and glorious ski slopes make it the perfect setting for the annual Sundance Film Festival. Tourists love Park City for its breathtaking vistas, the clean air, Celebrities love Park City for the relative anonymity they can enjoy there. Locals generally don't get too worked up over seeing Jennifer Aniston or Robert Redford shlepping around town.

Tips for first-time festival goers:
1) Dress in layers -- the chilly morning and evening temps (15f)can get as high as 50f by noon.
2) Bring sunglasses -- the abundant snow and clear skies can make for sunburnt eyes.
3) Bring your camera and keep it ready at all times -- you never know when you will run into a celeb. But always ASK before you snap. They usually say "sure."
4) Bring cash: last minute tickets can only be purchased with cash.
5) If you want to avoid the crowds and sold out hotels, check out neighboring towns of Midway, Jeremy Ranch, and Heber City for comfy and affordable accomodations.

This website provides streaming video trailers of this years films:
Sundance Film Festival 2006

By guest writer Kathleen A.

• 2006 Sundance Film Festival