Time to Register for Sundance Locals Passes

The Sundance Film Festival isn't until January 21-31, but it's already time for Utah film lovers to register for the chance to buy locals-only festival passes and ticket packages.

The passes, available only to Utah residents 18 and older, are priced anywhere from $200-$2500 and entitle the holder to a certain number of screening tickets (12 for the least expensive pass, unlimited entry for the most expensive), plus admission to various lounges, parties, events and galas during the festival.

If you just want to catch a movie or two during the festival and don't want a ticket package, registration for single ticket sales starts Nov. 11 and goes until Jan. 4. After you register, you will be randomly assigned a time slot to come to the Sundance box office in Trolley Square during the weekend of Jan. 9-10 to buy your tickets.

Buying tickets for the Sundance Film Festival is a complicated process, but festival organizers go out of their way to give Utah residents the chance to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public. I've gone to Sundance many times. I've seen some fresh, original and stunning films, and some that were so bad I tried to make myself fall asleep and stayed in the theater only because I knew there was a good chance I might be sitting next to the director's mother.

If you register for the locals ticket sale, festival organizers will send you a schedule with descriptions of all the films, and you can do some online research to find out which ones you really want to see. One good bet is buying tickets for the awards screenings. You won't know until you get to the theater what film you're going to see, but it will be the one the judges named best in its category.