New Frontier represents the evolution of the Frontier section exploring the experimental world of filmmaking. New Frontier is an expanded program that includes work from artists pushing the boundaries of art by using the moving image to create new cinematic modes of storytelling. This year‘s line-up includes a program of short films and seven feature-length films from four countries.

“Building on the Sundance Film Festival tradition of experimentation and innovation, this year‘s expanded NEW FRONTIER section will present a unique platform for both filmmakers and artists using the latest media technology,” says John Cooper, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival.

The films screening in New Frontier are: more

In line with the journalists at the Egyptian for the official opening press conference–Robert Redford, Geoffrey Gilmore, director of the festival and Brett Morgan, director of the 2007 opening documentary film Chicago 10, various jurors, etc. are promised.

In the meantime, on the camera sighting front, outside the theater it‘s France 4 TV with a HDV camcorder–new technology for the station. Local Salt Lake City CBS affiliate KUTV is here with Panasonic DVCPRO, but looking at a corporate driven move to tapeless workflow this year; P2 perhaps, though XDCAM HD looks like a strong contender for that transition. Nothing specific on the record, but it struck me as significant to see a local station going tapeless as part of a wider corporate move and not at the end of a trickle down process. CNN on hand with the ever-reliable Digibeta, but of course CNN is also a leader in tapeless workflow, so technology there will no doubt continue to change.

Back in a few with the press conference and the opening of the New Frontiers center.

Listen in on an exclusive interview with Little Miss Sunshine Directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton talk about creating the award-winning film, and the importance of the Sundance Film Festival to it’s success. Millimeter contributor Darroch Greer asks the questions.

To listen to the podcast interview click here.

(To download: Right Click, Save As)

Listen in on an exclusive interview with Little Miss Sunshine Directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton talk about creating the award-winning film, and the importance of the Sundance Film Festival to it’s success. Millimeter contributor Darroch Greer asks the questions.

To listen to the podcast interview click here.

(To download: Right Click, Save As)

“MySpace Nights at Tao” Feature Performances by Mos Def, Pharrell, Eagles of Death Metal, DJ Z-Trip, and DJ Momjeans (aka Danny Masterson)

MySpace.com, the world‘s leading lifestyle portal, announced today a variety of film and music events in Park City, UT, from January 19-23, 2007 in celebration of filmmakers and creative communities on MySpace. While in Park City, the company will present “MySpace Nights at Tao,” a reception for the Darfur documentary The Devil Came On Horseback, and an award to the X-Dance Film Festival‘s top director.

“We‘ve seen an incredible uptake for MySpace Film in the last year,” says Shawn Gold, SVP of Marketing, MySpace. “Artists around the world are using the network to share projects, discover new content, and communicate with others on a global scale. Creative communities descend on Park City this week and we look forward to celebrating their work.” more

Nearly missed Southwest dawn patrol to Salt Lake– the LAX security line was out the door and onto the sidewalk. The plane is half-full of Sundance people and half-full of riders who are hoping to make it to Snowbird by 10:30. All are optimists–this is so far the “Why Bother” year all over the West for decent snow, and Sundance is rumored to be Bigger Than Ever, which is not what Sundance needs to be.

Though it really is inevitable, and to be fair it‘s probably right. You will hear people say that it‘s bigger in the wrong ways, that it‘s just another studio co-opted celebrity duty call in Ug boots and Hobo Kelly sunglasses. I‘m sure that‘s true, but I don‘t really know since that‘s not the Sundance I see. I see more people from more walks of filmmaking life who are getting a chance. Last year one of the visual effects artists from The Darwin Awards brought a bag full of swag mittens her mom had knitted (with her logo, kind of). She wasn‘t the only person who un-cynically embraced Sundance as a Big Deal. I‘m thinking of a couple of earnest first-time cinematographers and most of the animation department from San Jose State. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris were the best kind of grassroots music video directors before Little Miss Sunshine got them to the Golden Globes (more from them in a minute). more

Below is an excerpt of last week’s interview between Little Miss Sunshine directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton and Millimeter contributing writer Darroch Greer.

What did Sundance mean?

JD: (Little Miss Sunshine) wasn‘t in competition, but it was scheduled to premiere outside. I think that for various reasons they thought it wasn‘t a proper film for the regular festival, but it usually features five or six premieres. I think that was right. We ultimately ended up with a cast of fairly big actors, and it wouldn‘t be fair to compete against lesser-known casts.

VF: They also like to have certain films in their premiere category that have stars to draw an audience. more