Sundance A-to-Z

The Sundance Film Festival can be every bit as confusing and hectic as it is exciting. There's so much going on, so much to do and take in during the festival's weeklong-plus run that sometimes you may feel as if your head is going to explode.

So in the interest of aiding the confused, especially those who are encountering the independent-cinema phenomenon for the first time, here is an A-to-Z guide to help you survive Festival 06.

» A IS FOR AIR. Fresh air and sunshine are usually plentiful in Park City in January. In fact, a few people head up just to get away from the valley smog and inversions.

Also, one of the festival's most anticipated films is "Thank You for Smoking," a satire that tries to clear the air about tobacco-industry practices.

» B IS FOR BEST OF THE FEST. Those who can't or don't want to brave the festival but still want to see some of the more noteworthy films, there are two days of post-festival, best-of programs, Jan. 30 in Park City, Salt Lake City and at the Sundance resort, and Jan. 31 in Ogden.

» C IS FOR CHURCH. As in Film Church, a new film-discussion program held during this year's festival. The first of these events, on Jan. 26, will be hosted by nationally syndicated-on-radio film critic Elvis Mitchell, while the second, Jan. 27, will feature a "surprise guest."

» D IS FOR DOCUMENTARIES. Sundance has been a longtime supporter of nonfiction film, having featured the works of Academy Award-winners Michael Moore, Errol Morris, Barbara Kopple and others. There are 16 documentaries to choose from in this year's Independent Film and World Cinema competitions.

» E IS FOR EDUCATIONAL. Among the more issue-oriented documentaries are stories about the Iraq war ("The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends," "Iraq in Fragments"), election fraud ("American Blackout") and illegal immigrants ("Crossing Arizona"). Documentaries designed more as entertainment include a film about the New York Times Crossword Puzzle ("Wordplay"), and one about the TV phenomenon "Sesame Street" ("The World According to Sesame Street").

» F IS FOR FILMS. What kind of a film festival would it be without them?

» G IS FOR GUIDES. Film Guides, that is. You'll need one to figure out what to see and where to see it. The guides feature descriptions of films, locations and screening times. Film guides are available at all screening venues and ticket locations.

» H IS FOR HORROR. As always, the festival's Park City at Midnight series is filled with films that hope to be the next "Blair Witch Project." This year's contenders include "The Descent," "Moonshine," "Salvage" and "Subject Two."