Stars glitter in Utah

While Park City played host for the festival's opening-night festivities, the capital city will have its own opening-night premiere party tonight at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. That event is designed to showcase the festival's new downtown Salt Lake City "corridor," which includes two screening venues located along 300 South (the Rose Wagner Center and the Broadway Centre Cinemas).

And it will include the premiere of "Kinky Boots," a comedy about a struggling British shoe manufacturer that decides to diversify its line of footwear — by making shoes and boots for drag performers.

In addition to its independent film showcase and competition, Sundance will include panel discussions, an online festival, a music cafe and its annual awards ceremony. And for the first time, Sundance will feature a "closing-night" premiere of the thriller "Alpha Dog." (That event will actually take place at the Eccles Center on Jan. 27, two nights before the festival's close.)

A full rundown of films playing at the festival can be found in the official film guide or online at the Sundance Institute site, www.sundance.org.

For general information on the festival, call 435-940-8900. For ticket prices and availability, call the main festival box office, 801-326-2000.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com