Sundance Day One: Redford launches the Festival

Day One Press Conference

By Nate von Zumwalt from Sundance

There was a moment at Thursday’s Day One Press Conference that encapsulated both the immense growth of the Sundance Film Festival over its 29-year existence and its unwavering loyalty to artists and audiences.

“Hey Coop, remember when this was simple?,” quipped Sundance Institute President and Founder Robert Redford. Only just getting settled on-stage at Park City’s iconic Egyptian Theatre, Festival Director John Cooper chuckled, and then offered a frank rebuttal: “No...”

Redford and Cooper have collaborated on the Festival since 1989, when the latter began his stint with the programming department at Sundance. Since that time, submissions have skyrocketed exponentially, technology has transformed the craft of filmmaking, and Sundance has ascended to its premier position in the hierarchy of film festivals. But, as Sundance Institute Executive Director Keri Putnam hinted, the films are as fiercely independent as ever and Sundance remains a Festival for filmmakers and audiences.

"The movies are most exciting. It's a Festival of discovery. We have 51 films from new filmmakers, and 22 have come through our Sundance Institute Labs," said Putnam.

Echoing that sentiment--and acknowledging an emergence of established filmmakers in recent years--Cooper expressed his pleasure in programming a diverse lineup of newcomers and experts. “I love the notion of established filmmakers mixing with the 51 first-timers,” he said. “I think there’s a magic to that; I think it’s part of the alchemy that makes the Sundance Film Festival really special.”

In past years, the Day One Press Conference has served as a platform to address changes in the Festival structure, from category tweaks (NEXT expands from 8 to 10 films this year) to new twists on classic programming (KCRW DJs will curate three nights of live music at Music Café). The 2013 Festival sees less of these formal changes, and sensing Redford, Putnam, and Cooper’s collective tone, they’re just fine with continuing to polish what they do best.

“We've grown,” said Putnam. “We're in 13 different countries all over the world. It's a rich time for the Institute and the program really reflects that."

Redford sees change through a different lens, but nonetheless recognizes the importance of continuing to nourish the mission that is the heart of Sundance.

“When you think about art, you think about film. And you can use it as an agent for change. As long as we go forward and adapt to change, we keep with our original purpose.”