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Sundance Film Festival Draws Portlanders

Park City, Utah, January 19th- 29th. Considered one of the premier platforms for independent film, the 2012 Sundance Film Festival is a popular draw for Oregon film lovers and winter sports enthusiasts.

The nonprofit Sundance Institute was founded in 1981 by Robert Redford.

The nonprofit Sundance Institute has introduced audiences to some of the most original stories of the last three decades including Reservoir Dogs, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Splendor, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Cove.

Portlanders Peter Johnson, Heather Mahoney,. Heather Mahoney is with Razorfish, the creative firm at the Bing Bar.

Portlanders Peter Johnson and Heather Mahoney took in the sights. Heather Mahoney is with Razorfish, the creative firm at the Bing Bar.

Portlanders Peter Johnson and Heather Mahoney celebrated success. Each year the Sundance Film Festival selects about 200 films for exhibition from thousands of submissions and more than 50,000 people attend screenings in various nearby locations. Many years Oregon filmmakers have been represented including last year when Peter Richardson’s How to Die in Oregon won the prestigious Documentary Feature competition. This year, there were few Oregon films in the running.

The only Oregon-related feature film at Sundance 2012 was The Perception of Moving Targets, by Portland director Weston Currie, an film with a soundtrack by Portland musician Liz Harris.

The only Oregon-related feature film at Sundance 2012 was “The Perception of Moving Targets” by Portland director Weston Currie. It has a soundtrack by Portland musician Liz Harris.

The Big Bar at Sundance is an invitation only three-story hub for VIP entertainment

Rapper Lil John at the Bing Bar

Bing Bar is a multi-faceted event space/bar hosting celebrity interviews, guest speakers, VIP parties, film premiere pre and after-parties and musical performances.

Rapper Wiz Khalifa entertains the crowd at the Bing Bar, photo from Bing

The Sundance 2013 Film Festival begins Thursday, January 17, 2013, and ends Sunday, January 27, 2013.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.