Photographer Credit: Jonathan Hickerson
Park City, UT - It's a Utah summer tradition 20 years in the making: Sundance Institute will celebrate summer with free outdoor screenings of Sundance Film Festival favorites in Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden and Kamas. These screenings will also feature food, special guests, fun activities and a few 20th anniversary surprises.
Betsy Wallace, CFO and Managing Director of Sundance Institute, said, Enjoying these great films with friends, neighbors and colleagues, surrounded by Utah's natural beauty, is a highlight of our year-round programming -- and, now that we're in our 20th year, it's safe to say it's a local tradition as well. We are proud to call Utah our home and the Institute's summer series is one way we try to give back to the local communities
The series kicks off July 5 at Salt Lake City's Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre with a screening of Napoleon Dynamite. This Sundance Film Festival-discovered cult comedy classic will be accompanied by themed activities for the whole family, such as a Napoleon-inspired dance competition and a costume show. Other highlights of the series include a special screening of the classic Sundance Institute namesake Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Robert Redford, preceded by a free concert and to which all audience members are encouraged to wear their best Western garb. Nine of the films got their start at the Sundance Film Festival.
Back by popular demand, the Utah community will be able to vote to select the final film of the series, either online at sundance.org/utah or onsite at screenings through August 23. The nominees will be chosen from a selection of 20th anniversary favorites from the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, including The Full Monty, Chasing Amy and Prefontaine.
Films start at dusk (approximately 9:00 p.m.), with gates opening and activities beginning at 7:30 p.m. All screenings are free and open to the public, no ticket needed, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and blankets or low-back lawn chairs.
Kara Cody, Assistant Director of Utah Community Programs for Sundance Institute, said, This year's films range from comedy to adventure to real-life drama -- some will be great fits for families, some for extreme sports enthusiasts or music buffs. With a full schedule of interactive games and activities to go along with these great films, these screenings are far from the ordinary.
The Institute will again collaborate with other Utah-based organizations for the Summer Film Series, including Park City Municipal Corporation, Kimball Arts Festival, Park City Recreation, Ogden City Amphitheatre and Mountain Town Music. This year's screenings are supported by Principal Sponsor Zions Bank, Major Sponsor Pop Art Snacks, Community Supporters Salt Lake County Economic Development; Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP) Program; Summit County Recreation, Arts, and Parks (RAP) Tax; Salt Lake City Arts Council; Promontory Foundation; and Red Butte Garden.
For more information about Sundance Institute programming for Utah residents and to vote for the Utah Community Choice Film visit sundance.org/utah.
Wednesday, July 5 Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
Napoleon Dynamite / U.S.A. (Director: Jared Hess, Screenwriters: Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess) - From the rural town of Preston, Idaho, comes Napoleon Dynamite - a new kind of hero. He spends his days drawing magical beasts, working on his computer hacking skills to impress the chicks, and begrudgingly feeding his Grandmas pet llama. When his friend Pedro runs for class president, Napoleon helps him triumph over adversity. Cast: Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez, Aaron Ruell, Tina Majorino. Screening to include a dance contest and other special events.
Friday, July 7 City Park
Riding Giants / U.S.A., France (Director: Stacy Peralta) - Closely chronicling the sometimes-life-and-death drama that big-wave riding entails, Riding Giants is an often-mesmerizing visual thrill ride. But the most appealing aspect of this often revelatory documentary is the realization that the man versus nature dialectic never ends; the search for the ultimate wave and the spiritual pinnacle can only be pursued but never reached. Are you stoked yet? Presented in collaboration with Park City Recreation and to include a beach party and tarp surfing.
Thursday, July 13 DeJoria Center
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid / U.S.A. (Director: George Roy Hill, Screenwriter: William Goldman) - The classic film starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman as the real life bank-robbing duo. Follow Butch and Sundance as their adventures take them from Colorado, through right here in Utah and down to Bolivia as they attempt to live their outlaw lives on their own terms. Cast: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katherine Ross. Winner of four Academy Awards. Presented in collaboration with Mountain Town Music and to be preceded by a free concert by Ghostowne, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, July 17 Ogden City Amphitheatre
Shaun the Sheep Movie / United Kingdom (Directors and Screenwriters: Mark Burton, Richard Starzak) - When Shauns mischief inadvertently leads to the Farmer being taken away from the farm, Shaun, Bitzer, and the flock have to go into the big city to rescue him, setting the stage for an epic adventure. Presented in collaboration with Ogden City Amphitheatre's Monday Night Movies series. Doors open at 7:00pm.
Friday, July 21 City Park
Chasing Coral / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Orlowski) - Coral reefs around the world are vanishing at un unprecedented rate. A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why and to reveal the underwater mystery of the world. Presented in collaboration with the Park
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Photographer Credit: Jonathan Hickerson 
