Heavy musical line-up for the Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Institute announced today the musical line-up for the 2008 Film Festival. The festival will feature staples such as Music on Main and Music Café, complemented by distinctive live performances, panel discussions, and multimedia presentations. The 2008 Festival line-up will feature numerous films that showcase music and musicians such as CSNY DÉJÀ VU, featuring Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, U23D, and PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE. The 2008 Sundance Film Festival runs January 17-27, in Park City, Salt Lake City , Ogden and Sundance, Utah. A complete list of films and events is available at the Sundance Institute website at www.sundance.org/festival.

2008 marks the 10th Anniversary of the Sundance Institute Film Music Program, which sponsors music showcases and roundtables at the Festival as well as labs for film music composers held each summer at Sundance, Utah. The Sundance Institute Film Composers' Lab and the intensive, four-day Documentary Composers' Lab allow filmmakers to work closely with accomplished composers, exploring their works-in-progress in relation to musical score. Fellows are selected from filmmakers receiving support both from the Sundance Filmmakers Lab and the Documentary Fund. This year's Sundance Film Festival continues this commitment by highlighting the interconnectedness of music and film, attracting both music industry veterans and top music media.

This year's Festival will offer a wide range of musical encounters. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Music Café, produced by ASCAP. Over the last decade, ASCAP has provided stellar programming, presenting artists associated with Festival films along with other notable musical performances throughout the Festival. The 2008 line-up is no exception with John Rzeznik, Meiko, Patti Smith, Peter & Gordon and Sea Wolf among others slated to perform. Music on Main, featuring Gold Streets, Ha Ha Tonka and Meridian West, is an event open to the general public. DJ Spooky will headline at New Frontier on Main along with Sundance Institute Composers Lab alum Shahzad Ali Ismaily, and BMI, a founding sponsor of the Sundance Composers Lab and longtime Festival participant, will present BMI Snowball, featuring The Aggrolites and Nick Urata from DeVotchKa. Festival sponsors Ray Ban, ZonePerfect and Turning Leaf Vineyards will also showcase live music in their own venues.

"The Sundance Institute's commitment to artistic process and expression is by no means limited to film. Music has always been a core program for us and the upcoming Festival highlights this like no other," said Peter Golub, Director, Sundance Institute Film Music Program. " We are passionate about the music panels, films and performances slated for this year. The musicians performing range from emerging talent to legendary artists."

Sundance Institute has from its inception recognized the importance of music to independent filmmaking. The Institute is committed to supporting musicians; from its composers labs, to presenting titles that showcase musical artists, to recognizing films that feature renowned composers and original soundtracks.

Musical highlights at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival:
MUSIC CAFÉ

This year marks the 10 year Anniversary of Music Café, with programming produced by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Music Café is a dynamic showcase for live performances by emerging and established artists, including solo acts and major bands. This popular Festival event has long been a place to hear established and up and coming artists. This year's line-up includes AM, Ingrid Michaelson, Jesca Hoop, Sea Wolf, Paddy Casey, Eef Barzelay, Pat Monahan, Artists from the film Slingshot Hip Hop, Ben's Brother, Sondre Lerche, Patti Smith, Charlotte Sometimes, Jessie Baylin, Peter & Gordon, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, Butch Walker, Tim Finn, Josh Hisle, Everest, Missy Higgins, Meiko, Will Dailey, Brett Dennen, Johnny Lloyd Rollins & The All Nighters, ROAN and surprise guests.

The Star Bar

January 18–January 26; every day from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

268 Main St., Park City
MUSIC ON MAIN

Music on Main is a yearly outdoor event that is free and open to the public. This event is always a highlight of the Festival and attracts a large audience on lower Main Street. This year's line-up includes Gold Streets, Ha Ha Tonka, DJ Stephen "Bam Bam" Santoro and Meridian West with art performances by Grafitti Research Lab: L.A.S.E.R. Tag and Elumenati Dome. Presented by Adobe Systems Incorporated, Entertainment Weekly, HP, and Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Music on Main

Thursday, January 24; 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Lower Main St. (outdoor event), Park City
MUSIC SHOWCASE: BMI SNOWBALL

An intimate evening of inspired performances. The BMI Snowball is a night of music, mingling, and spirits. Performances by The Aggrolites and Nick Urata from DeVotchKa. Produced by BMI who has been bringing music to the Sundance Film Festival for 13 years.

Sundance House at The Kimball Art Center

Wednesday, January 23; 6:00 p.m.

638 Park Ave. (between Main St. and Heber Ave.), Park City
A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC IN FILM

This event highlights the connection between music and film with performances by musicians and composers. This year's line-up features The Everyothers (THE GUITAR), Michel Gondry and Jean-Michel Bernard (BE KIND REWIND) and Patti Smith (PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE).

Sundance House at The Kimball Art Center

Sunday, January 20; 8:00 p.m.

638 Park Ave. (between Main St. and Heber Ave.), Park City
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: MUSIC AND FILM, THE CREATIVE PROCESS

This roundtable discussion is produced by BMI, exploring the relationship between music and film and the director/composer relationship. Panelists include composers George S. Clinton, Christopher Young (SLEEPWALKING), Mark Mothersbaugh, John Frizzell, BT, Peter Golub, Mervyn Warren and directors Amy Redford (THE GUITAR) and Patrick Creadon (I.O.U.S.A.). The discussion will be moderated by Doreen Ringer Ross, Vice President of Film and TV relations at BMI.

Sundance House at The Kimball Art Center

Wednesday, January 23; 6:00 p.m.

638 Park Ave. (between Main St. and Heber Ave.), Park City
NEW FRONTIER ON MAIN

This year's New Frontier on Main will feature several multimedia performances by Cory Arcangel and Paper Rad, Paul Miller aka DJ Spooky and Sundance Filmmaker Lab alum Braden King, Sundance Institute Composers Lab alum Shahzad Ali Ismaily and Deborah Johnson. See www.sundance.org/festival for more information.

NEW FRONTIER ON MAIN

Friday, January 18–Friday January 25; Noon to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 26; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

333 Main St. (lower level), Park City
SALT LAKE CITY FESTIVAL CAFÉ

The Beehive Tea Room, home of the Festival's Salt Lake City-based cafe, in Salt Lake City will present musical acts nightly including Rauber-Prinz Trio, Red Rock Hot Club, Bob Moss and Jo'mo'ka. Supported by the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Salt Lake City Festival Café

January 18-19; Noon to 11:00 p.m.

Beehive Tea Room

12 West Broadway (300 South), Salt Lake City
MUSIC AT SUNDANCE RESORT

The Owl Bar at Sundance Resort will feature musical performances each night of the Festival. Musical acts will include White Guys, Fat Paw, Red Line, Rob Binnion, Joy, Eric, Fred and Tony, Slaymaker Group, Legendary Porch Pounders, Carlos Cornea, Matt Harding and Harry Lee.

Sundance Resort

(Approximately 60 minutes from Park City)
SPONSOR VENUES

Leaf Lounge

Turning Leaf Vineyards, BMI and HP present nightly musical performances at the Leaf Lounge. Featured artists include Graham Colton, Emi Meyer, Coyle Girelli (Your Vegas), Mandi Perkins, Ross Copperman, Joshua James and Alexa Wilkinson.

The Leaf Lounge

January 20-25; 5:00 p.m.

751 Main St., Park City

Ray-Ban Rock Bar

RAY-BAN ROCKS SUNDANCE! Stop by the Ray-Ban Rock Bar to beat the cold during the day and come back at night to hear the hottest live music.

Ray-Ban Rock Bar

January 17–21; 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day; 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. each evening

427 Main St., Park City

The ZonePerfect Bar

The ZonePerfect Bar is a three-night music television production taped live, featuring acoustic performances by 12 headline and emerging artists with unique connections to film.

ZonePerfect Bar

January 24–26; Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

427 Main St., Park City
FILMS FEATURING MUSIC:

The 2008 Sundance Film Festival includes several previously-announced titles that prominently feature musicians and music. Some highlights:

ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL/ U.S.A. (Director: Sacha Gervasi)—At 14, best friends Robb Reiner and Lips made a pact to rock together forever. Their band, Anvil, hailed as the "demi-gods of Canadian metal," influenced a musical generation that includes Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, despite never hitting the big time. Following a calamitous European tour, Lips and Robb, now in their fifties, set off to record their 13th album in one last attempt to fulfill their boyhood dreams. Spectrum

CSNY DÉJÀ VU/ U.S.A. (Director: Bernard Shakey; Screenwriters: Neil Young, Mike Cerre)—The war in Iraq is the backdrop as the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young "Freedom of Speech Tour" crisscrosses North America. Echoes of Vietnam-era anti-war sentiment abound as the band connects with today's audiences. Cast: David Crosby, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Mike Cerre, Stephen Colbert. Premiere, Closing Night Film

THE DRUMMER (JIN. GWU)/ Hong Kong/ Taiwan/ Germany (Director and Screenwriter: Kenneth Bi) — A young man transforms from a reckless youth and gangster into a mature adult through the inspiration of Zen drumming. Cast: Jaycee Chan, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Josie Ho, Roy Cheung, Lee Sinje, Kenneth Tsang. International Competition

THE GUITAR/ U.S.A. (Director: Amy Redford; Screenwriter: Amos Poe)—The life of a woman is transformed after she is diagnosed with a terminal disease, fired from her job and abandoned by her boyfriend. Given two months to live, she throws caution to the wind to pursue her dreams. Cast: Saffron Burrows, Isaach De Bankole, Paz De La Huerta. Premiere

PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE/ U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Steven Sebring) — An intimate portrait of music icon Patti Smith that mirrors the essence of the artist herself. World Premiere

SLINGSHOT HIP HOP/ U.S.A. (Director: Jackie Reem Salloum) —The voice of a new generation rocks and rhymes as Palestinian rappers form alternative voices of resistance within the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. Documentary Competition

U2 3D/ U.S.A. (Directors: Catherine Owens, Mark Pellington)—A 3-D presentation of U2’s global “Vertigo” tour. Shot at seven different shows, this production employs the greatest number of 3-D cameras ever used for a single project. Premiere

YOUNG@HEART/ United Kingdom (Director: Stephen Walker)—A choir of Massachusetts senior citizens delights audiences worldwide with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash and Coldplay to Jimi Hendrix and Sonic Youth. Spectrum