Director of Programming James McNally is attending this year’s Sundance Film Festival from January 19th to 31st.
It’s hard to believe that I’m actually returning to Sundance this year. Last year at this time, I was a little bit nervous. This year, I feel like a seasoned pro. Well, not exactly, but it helps to be returning to almost the same position I held last year. I’ll be working alongside the Film Office Coordinator (FOC) for US Shorts (last year we worked on International Shorts). I think I’ll get more out of the festival this year, having a year of experience under my belt. I won’t need to spend the first two days figuring out how to get around on the festival shuttles, for instance.
I’m really excited that my friend (and sometime Shorts That Are Not Pants programmer) Jackie Marculescu will also be volunteering this year. Having a wingwoman at parties and screenings and other social events will be much more fun for me, and may help me overcome a lot of my natural shyness and introversion. I’m also happy that a few other friends will be there, some covering the festival as critics, some attending with their own films. It’s amazing to me that I seem to know so many people in this world. It’s safe to say that for the next few weeks, I’ll be in my happy place.
I leave early tomorrow morning, though I don’t need to be in Park City until Tuesday. I’ve decided to spend a couple of days exploring Salt Lake City, which will also give me some time to adjust to the altitude. And because of my experience getting stranded for two nights in Denver on my way home last year, I’ve decided to avoid the winter weather for another week and head to Los Angeles after the festival. I probably won’t be blogging about those side trips here, but once I arrive in Park City, I’ll be documenting my second Sundance for your amusement. Now you’ll have to excuse me, I need to go pack. Do you think 22 granola bars will be enough? 🙂