January 19 marked the beginning of an incredibly exciting 10 days for film fanatics as they flocked to Park City, Utah. What was the purpose of this migration to a state otherwise forgotten about? None other than the epic Sundance Film Festival.

 

Since 1985, this event has drawn filmmakers and their aficionados, giving them an opportunity to feature their work in a fun and exciting way without the harsh rejection of today’s film industry. This ingenious festival has managed to reach every corner of America, and what began with 86 submissions and 13 staff members has grown and flourished exponentially. This year’s submissions reached a whopping 13,053, and over 200 staffers were required to manage what has become a huge event.

 

Many of today’s major filmmakers and directors used the Festival as a launching pad for their careers. Some of these include Darren Aronofsky, director of Oscar-nominee Requiem for a Dream and Oscar-winner Black Swan, Lee Daniels, director of the hit series Empire, and Nicole Holofcener, part-time director of the infamous Gilmore Girls, as well as Parks and Recreation and Orange is the New Black.

 

Needless to say, the Sundance Film Festival is a great opportunity for young and upcoming artists, not to mention an amazing experience for any film fan. It is safe to say this event is going to be around for awhile, so make sure to get tickets for next year!