Sundance Film Festival: Why it is so Special

Ethan and Joel Cohen
Quintin Tarantino
Sundance screening


Robert Redford is man behind the festival that became so successful.

The Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the US. It was launched in 1978 in Salt Lake City. The festival was founded by, Sterling van Wagenen, who was the head of a company that Robert Redford owns, "Wild Wood."
The festival originally was held in August. In 1981, the film festival had moved to Park City, Utah, and had switched to January. It was Sydney Pollack who suggested that the time be changed to a winter month. The idea was to get Hollywood celebrities to go to a ski resort at a time when you could ski. The film festival is responsible for making many talented people famous. Some who got their first big break in the industry are:
1. The Cohen Brothers for "Blood Simple" 1985
2 Quintin Taratino, "Reservoir Dogs"
3. Kevin Smith, "Clerks"
4. Amy Adams, "Junebug"
5. Christopher Nolan, "Memento"
6. Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Secretary"
7. Robert Rodriquez, El Moriachi"
There are many more people who had launched a career in the film industry due to the Sundance Film festival. Mr. Redford is still very involved in the festival and attends every year.