Sundance Film Festival 2018 – tips to help filmmakers survive Park City

Arrive early
This rule applies to everything about the fest. You should plan to arrive in Park City on Wednesday or Thursday to give yourself a moment to breathe before the action starts.

Make sure you get to any screening, panel or party at least 45 minutes early because there will be a line. Even if you have a VIP pass, every event is overbooked and sold out, so make sure you arrive with plenty of time to spare to ensure you get a seat in the theater or a spot at the bar.

Bring business cards
In the age of digital technology, business cards may seem antiquated, but they do come in handy at the fest. Events and parties are loud and they move fast, so you’ll want to give contacts a way to connect with you after the fest.

Moisturise, hydrate and bring snacks
At the risk of sounding like your mother, take care of yourself. The cold weather and altitude will take an immediate toll on your skin and body and I highly recommend bringing a big bottle of lotion, a hydrating facial mask and plenty of chapstick.

And since every party offers up an open bar, make sure you stay hydrated. Your alcohol tolerance isn’t nearly what it is at lower altitudes, so drink in moderation. Also, since the parties are heavy on drinks and light on eats, make sure to pack a protein bar or two to get you through to your next meal.

Find a party grid
That said, Sundance is a lot of fun and you will meet a lot of great people at the parties — if you can get on the list. My recommendation is to network until you find someone with a party grid — don’t wait until Saturday night with the hope that you can talk your way into the star-studded events.

See a movie (or several)
With all the networking, sometimes it’s hard to remember that the fest is a celebration of our passion for film. Make sure to nab a couple pairs of tickets off the Sundance website.

See you in the snow!