Festivals

In baseball terms, Lena Dunham is batting 1,000. The Oberlin graduate has directed two feature films and now, with the screening of Sharp Stick at Sundance 2022, the multi-hyphenate filmmaker has seen both her films showcase at the Park City-based independent film festival.

It is not often that lightning strikes twice at Sundance for the same film but for Carey Williams, that is exactly what happened for the opening night unspooling of EMERGENCY at Sundance 2022. This marks the Pensacola, Florida native’s second showcase of that title, the first being his presentation in the shorts section back in 2018.

In Igbo, the Nigerian language, the word “Ejime” means “twin. ” How apropos for identical twins Adamma and Adanne Ebo to name their production company Ejime while pursuing content focused on multiple perspectives and intersectional experiences.

The answer is a resounding yes. Even if we get uncomfortable.

In a virtual press conference, Festival Director Tabitha Jackson, Director of Programming Kim Yutani, Senior Programmers Shari Frilot and John Nein offered their perspectives on Sundance’s festival program. The prestigious event kicked off today, January 20, on the Sundance digital platform after abruptly canceling all in-person screenings and activities due to the latest Covid-19 surge.

Since 1995, the Sundance and Slamdance film festivals started on the same days, in the same place, Park City, Utah. Two very different roommates under the same roof – the snowy mountains and the passion for independent film-making -   teasing or snubbing each other, albeit in a respectful way.

There are 10,902 Main Streets designated as thoroughfares across the United States, but during the Sundance Film Festival, it is that historic street that runs down the center of Park City, Utah that becomes about as ‘Main’ you can possibly hope for. Where else can you casually stroll down the sidewalk and just happen to pass Kate Hudson, Nicholas Hoult, Kerry Washington, Quentin Tarantino, Octavia Spencer, Eva Longoria, Glenn Close, Taylor Swift, Laura Dern, Jake Gyllenhaal or the man himself, Robert Redford? Founded by Redford as a showcase for independent filmmakers, the first incarnation of the festival, then known as the US Film festival, was held in Salt Lake City in August of 1978.

Warming our hands on a hot cup of joe while waiting outside for the day’s first screening? Enjoying the view of the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains before we head into a highly anticipated new film? Traipsing up and down Main Street with its bustling stores and restaurants and event locations and running into filmmakers and actors along the way? Forget all that. The pandemic has once again put a dent in the much-loved Sundance experience.

When I landed in Jeddah a couple of weeks ago on my first visit ever to Saudi Arabia to attend the Red Sea International Film Festival, I did not expect to be greeted by a woman at the gate. She sensed the surprise on my face when I introduced myself, as she greeted me in fluent English and with cheerful enthusiasm, before leading me through a shining modern airport to the immigration desk, which was also manned by women.

The Sundance Film Fest has always been a star-maker. More directors and actors have had their breakout in the cold mountains of Utah than at any other festival in the world.