In 1969, “Sundance” referred to a character played by Robert Redford in that year’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. At the end of the movie, the wounded Sundance charges from a bullet-riddled hut with his partner, facing what would be certain death if not for a freeze frame that preserves our heroes in their final blaze of glory. Today, “Sundance” more often refers to the festival founded by Redford, who died this past year on September 16th, leaving a legacy that preserves not just characters, but the spirit of filmmaking itself.
I can attest to what a Sundance venue can do for the cinephile, the filmmaker, the distributor, and the exhibitor. A proper venue—with the right equipment, attention, and publicity—can turn the world upside down for the audience and culture at large.
Beginning in the early ‘90s, I traveled every January from Colorado to Utah to attend Sundance via an easy flight from Denver to Salt Lake. I remember getting round-trip tickets for only $80—and this was long …
