In an open letter published today, Sundance Film Festival Director Tabitha Jackson outlined the in-person and virtual(!) 2022 edition, stating that as Sundance 2022 welcomes attendees back to Park City, Utah, all participants will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of such.

“Health and safety is paramount. As we plan for the 2022 Festival, one of our most important considerations is how best to safely bring together artists, audiences, volunteers, and staff from around the world. As part of our commitment to this community, we will be requiring all participants attending the Festival, or Sundance-affiliated events, in person in Utah to be fully vaccinated. We are providing this information now to ensure that all in-person participants feel comfortable attending, and can adjust their travel plans if needed.”

- Tabitha Jackson, Festival Director

She further added that the festival “will share our full details and processes for health precautions closer to the Festival, including theater capacity along with information on mask-wearing.” Like all organizations during the pandemic, Sundance will continue to monitor and respect health and safety protocols.

An obvious model Sundance seems to be looking at is the Cannes Film Festival, where attendees from outside the EU had to be tested for COVID every 48 hours. Cannes also incorporated a "health pass" for non-EU visitors that circumvented the 48 hour COVID test, provided that the most recent test was negative. Upcoming is the Toronto International Film Festival, where Canada will be opening its borders to U.S. citizens for the duration of the Festival from September 9th through September 18th. For attendees who don't want to travel or are unvaccinated, there is also a virtual edition of TIFF.

Jackson said that the 2022 program will consist of a tight lineup ("somewhere in the realm of 80 features"). In-person screenings will take place in Park City, Salt Lake City, and at the Sundance Mountain Resort. Films will premiere from Thursday, January 20, through Tuesday, January 25, 2022, with additional screenings to follow through the end of the Festival. Online premieres will follow the in-person premieres, using Sundance's custom-built platform used for Sundance 2021. Awards will be announced on Friday, January 28, leading to a final weekend of award-winner screenings in person and online.

Also returning from last year are the Satellite Screens, where Sundance worked with regional cinemas and arts organizations. This year, the 2022 Sundance Film Festival will work with "up to 10 partners across the United States to connect directly with local audiences and artists", with each Screen showing selections from the Festival from Friday, January 28, through Sunday, January 30, 2022.

Until next time!