A note on our Sundance coverage.

"we are unable to service uncredentialed press per the festival’s wishes this year" - response to a request for access to a Sundance film

Just a quick announcement concerning this year’s Sundance Film Festival- coverage is going to be at a minimum. This is not by my choice but because the festival has informed PR firms that they do not want uncredentialed press. I’ve been told that they additionally do not want anyone who they consider a blog to cover the festival either. This means that after 10 years as credentialed, uncredentialled and semi credentialed coverage of the festival at Unseen Films, this will likely be ending the last time I cover the festival. (I have a handful of films)

I’m not going to really fight it. It’s not worth it- they have made things so ridiculous this year that I’m actually glad I wasn’t credentialed. I'm not missing it because many films are being made available up to a week late on their press and industry portals. What they are hoping is that you'll either pay 30 bucks a pop for the films on the regular portal or fly out to the festival.

I'm more annoyed then upset. Sundance was always an obligation fest, not one I wanted to cover, but I kind of had to cover. I  have to cover it to get a jump on things down the road not because they have all the "great films". I always preferred their across town rival Slamdance because it actually has films that excited me- even if I had no idea what any of the films were before I saw them. By not focusing on Sundance I now have more time doing NYJFF, Slamdance and Animation First, which are better over all fests and a hell of a lot more friendly.

As much as it annoys me,  because there are a few films I want to see, I know that ultimately I will catch them down the road because unless a film truly dies at Sundance it always shows up elsewhere because in most cases Sundance is used as advertising for release (that isn't the case with any other festival)

My only regret in uncredentialed press not being able to really cover Sundance is that this may mean that some smaller films that need it, may not get coverage from the outlets that will show them the right sort of love.

That said, I'm not stupid and I will gladly take any Sundance films anyone wants to send me (and of course we will cover everything sent to us)