Doing Sundance the Gay Way

Sundance seems to be shrouded in a certain amount of mystery. Even the South West flight attendant paused to ask me what it was all about. Sundance is different things to different people, but in the six years I've been going, I've found it to be a concentrated gathering of all those who are moving and shaking in film. The movies are exceptional, the parties filled with heavy weights and the city buzzes with the hoards of filmmakers, marketers, financiers and fanatics.

Sundance is also great for celeb sightings. Thus far I've seen Elijah Wood, Jodie Foster, Emily Blunt, Jane Lynch and the Godfather of it all, Robert Redford. Typically they are striding up the street, like the rest of us, trying to stay warm and get to the next event. 

Coley Sohn (Center) directed short film Boutonniere

The Movies

Movies screen throughout the day and late into the night in Park City and Salt Lake.  Securing tickets is a whole fandango. There are three main ways to land yourself in a movie: You can buy them a month out on the Sundance website: you can know people attached to the film who can hook you up; you know a local, who has advanced access to the box office.  Every movie has a wait list as well for any last minute empty seats. You take a chance by showing up early and queuing up for an hour, but often you'll get in at the last minute. There are always people selling unwanted tickets, so if you're open to seeing anything, you can sometimes luck out that way too.

Jenn Kennedy and QL founder Ellen Huang at the Queer Brunch

The Eats

Finding quality food during the week is considerably more challenging than tickets. Every restaurant has a line out the door, so many of my meals end up being sandwiches, Starbucks and slices of pizza. Hopefully all that walking burns off the excessive carbs I unavoidably consumed.

The first Sunday always kicks off with The Gay Brunch, one of my favorite events of Sundance. The GLBT and Q's gather at the Grub Steak Restaurant for three hours of smoozing and boozing. Sponsored by Regent Media (owner of SheWired, Advocate, Out) Outfest and Absolut, the Queer Brunch is a must attend. I see dozens of publicists, filmmakers, celebs and media. Celeb sightings at this year's brunch included Guinevere Turner and Tracy Chapman.

A panel about Prop 8 in the Queer Lounge

The Lounges

Every 10 feet there is a lounge at Sundance.  Everyone from HP to Sephora to Stella Artois has realized the sizable amount of influencers who are present for the run of the festival. Wanting to showcase their wares, these companies rent storefronts and convert them into completely branded lounges. They give away sponsored alcohol, tchotchkis and WiFi. In the lounges, inevitably, are people hoping to demo products as well. Many of these lounges have become guest-list only situations, which really throws a wrench in the drop in tactics of yesteryear.

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The past few years a new lounge has emerged as THE hip spot to rest and check email, visit and sip Absolute - the Queer Lounge. Founded by Ellen Huang, a former film exec, the lounge is the hub for anything and everything queer happening at Sundance. They host killer parties, intelligent panels and provide support and screenings to films with gay themes or filmmakers who are GLBT.

 Shuttles run Sundance attendees around town

The Shuttle

The first few years, I rented a car for the week. It was a love/hate relationship. I loved being able to get around to all the screening locations and parties easily, but I often spent exorbitant amounts of time searching for parking. And when I found a coveted spot, it would cost no less than $20, thus the hate.  These days I take the shuttle with the masses. There are dozens of shuttles that circle town and run from Main Street (the center of the action) to all the outer lying theatres and resorts. Sometimes they run late and often they are crowded, but I just tap away on my Blackberry and thaw out.

 695 People Party at QL Opening Night

Running annually in mid January, Sundance is certainly an experience to have for anyone in the entertainment or marketing world. It's a chance to see and be seen and even see a movie or two along the way.