I have been following the story of the Sundance Film Festival possibly leaving Utah for a while as a former volunteer to the festival, a local and a big fan myself.
This news touched me very deeply. The reason for that is that Sundance literally changed my life.
Eleven years ago, I came to Park City from Spain to volunteer at the film festival. I met my future husband while I was hanging out in a crowded bar with other volunteers. We had the most memorable festival experience, and I ended up quitting my work projects in Spain and moving to Utah to start a new life.
Since then, we have attended several editions of the festival and special events together, I have volunteered on more than one occasion, and I have been involved in community organizations that worked alongside the festival.
I can proudly call myself a local now. I don’t know how many stories there are like mine. I´m sure other volunteers have worthwhile experiences to share.
The festival’s web page still calls us “the lifeblood of the Sundance institute.” But are we? When I read headlines about the selection process of a new venue, I feel very disappointed by the organization.
Do the institute officials really care about the people that make the festival possible?
Diana Pérez Morán
Park City