Audio Video News

Competitions and awards usually indicate that an art form has reached some degree of commercial viability. By that standard, movies made for the Internet have attained maturity: The Sundance Institute has announced that it will host parallel festivals this winter, one concentrating on traditional films and the other showcasing films made for the Internet. Both events begin January 18.

Film fans unable to attend the annual winter event in Park City, Utah will be able to view the online entries on the Sundance website. Approximately 300 online entries were received this year, and 17 online projects and one "special collection" will be showcased in three categories: animation, live-action, and interactive. The online festival is being co-produced by StreamSearch, an Internet search company, and will be hosted from the Digital Center in Park City.

Sundance Institute annually receives more than 3000 submissions, which are culled to about 100 feature-length films and 60 short subjects for the festival. The 20-year-old non-profit institute was established by actor Robert Redford and friends to support developing screenwriters and directors.

When asked what judges seek, festival spokesman R.J. Millard said, "We're looking for great storytelling—a combination of the use of resources and innovativeness in the way that the stories are told." Millard said the institute has noticed a sharp improvement in the quality of online films—some of them only three or four minutes long—and decided to create a showcase for them. Festival attendees and online viewers will be able to vote for an Online Audience Award, to be announced March 5.