Here’s the thing — not everyone can afford to have the full Sundance celebrity experience, least of all students. But just because you’re up to your neck in student loans doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the perks that come with the festival.
For starters, don’t underestimate the power of people-watching. Grab a group of friends, head to Park City and take a few laps up and down Main Street. You’ll see all kinds of people: Those who can actually afford Sundance tickets, celebrities who acted in the films, filmmakers and creative types who are excited to talk about their art and, inevitably, the poor Park City residents who know this is coming every year but are always overwhelmed by the crowds. You might also run right into people trying to give you free stuff. T-shirts, beanies and food are all things I’ve been handed on the street during the festival and I didn’t have to do anything for them.
The shops in Park City pull out all the stops in an effort to impress their out-of-town-patrons, and even if you can’t afford any of it, this kind of window shopping is fun. Look at the displays, take some photos, bask in the palpable excitement and energy of the events. Same with the restaurants (although window shopping for food is not an option for me, especially where Rocky Mountain Chocolate is concerned) — if you can’t afford tickets to screenings, just go out for dinner in Park City and switch up your usual routine.
If you’d rather be a part of the festival in a less social way, consider having an intimate get-together at home and watch films from Sundance past. There are many available on Netflix and Hulu, so you can enjoy independent filmmaking in the comfort of your own home, sans crowds. “Monsieur Lazhar” is a personal favorite of mine, and it’s free on Hulu!
Money doesn’t have to be an excuse to not participate in an event that gets national and even global coverage, and if you’re looking for ways to be more heavily involved, volunteer at next year’s event. Utah’s independent art and film scene has grown exponentially in the past five years because of festivals like Sundance, and being a part of its continual growth doesn’t have to cost a thing.
@katherinekellis