From Deseret News archives:
Film fest has spawned many other 'dances'
Or with TromaDance for that matter.
Or with SchmoozeDance.
Or with X-Dance.
You get the picture.
Through the end of the month, both Park City and Salt Lake City have full "dance" cards, and not just because of Sundance, which remains the premiere showcase for American independent film (and these days, around the world).
And despite Sundance officials' misgivings, the annual arrival of their festival also heralds the arrival of competing film events.
Many of these have come and gone over the years including No Dance, Sleaze Dance, Scumdance, Undance and Fundance.
However, one constant companion to Sundance for more than a decade has been Slamdance, a festival described by its organizers as being "by filmmakers, for filmmakers."
Festival co-founders Peter Baxter and Dan Mirvish brainstormed Slamdance after having their films rejected by the Sundance programming committee. The idea was to add at least one other venue to screen independently made features that Sundance wouldn't take.
And apparently it was a good idea.
Over the course of 13 years, Slamdance has begun to resemble what Sundance was in its genesis. This year, the festival will screen 29 movies, 20 of which are competing for narrative-feature and documentary-feature awards.
But like any teenager, the 13-year-old Slamdance event still "breaks rules," according festival president Baxter, adding that it has also "stayed true to its roots and embodies the spirit of independent creativity."
Slamdance has also set off the first festival controversy of the year, after officials pulled the role-playing game "Super Columbine Massacre RPG!" from its 3-year-old Guerrilla Gamemaker Competition.
Baxter and other festival officials pulled the game, which re-creates the 1999 Colorado high school shootings, due to legal concerns.
In retaliation, at least one sponsor the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Division pulled out. And half of the 14 entrants did as well, though at press time the festival was still planning to hold that competition and to award a $5,000 cash prize to the winning entry.
Comments
- Vanishing beaches alarm Utahn 10:24 p.m.
- Doctor faces sex abuse charges 10:22 p.m.
- Flash media day photo gallery 10:22 p.m.
- Jazz helping photo gallery 10:18 p.m.
- Donny's dancing gets high praise 10:10 p.m.
- British panel to begin war inquiry 10:05 p.m.
- TRAX victim still in critical condition 9:58 p.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Fandemonium 9:57 p.m.
- Iraq's election to be delayed 9:57 p.m.
- Nevill, Cummard withFlash 9:54 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
214 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
130 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
104 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103
This is just more of the same bigotry that raises its ugly head every time...
I never knew Obama was a sience nerd. You learn something new each day...
legal worker cards ... he meant work authorization cards... this is not a...
That does it, I'm moving to Portland and opening a TacoBell / Pizza Hut...
I don't care who is taxed. I just resent the fact that the legislators are...
Hunter vs. Lone Peak game was truly epic and the best Utah prep game in years...
Dear Ted... K before you go talkin smack on 2A look at your rankings first :]
Whipped Panguitch pretty handily over the weekend and is not even in the top 5?
Respect. Your post smacks of disrespect. Just your sarcasm is exactly...
Ask the people in Draper and South Jordon how they feel about the temple,...


You can be the first to comment on this story.