Every January, indie film buffs gear up for two of the most anticipated film festivals of the year: Sundance and Slamdance in Park City, Utah. This year, the Sundance Film Festival runs from January 21 to 31, while the Slamdance Film Festival runs from January 22 to 28. We’re excited to announce that 3 Indiegogo films will be featured at Sundance and 8 Indiegogo films will be featured at Slamdance. In addition to our excitement about seeing so many filmmakers from the Indiegogo community at these prestigious festivals, we are pleased to announce a new collaboration with filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY at Sundance to help amplify awareness and support of filmmakers and content creators of color. If you’re headed to either festival (or both!), here’s everything you need to know.

The 5th Annual Array Soiree at Sundance

The Array Soiree is an annual gathering at Sundance Film Festival for influencers in the film industry to discuss the state of varied voices in film and brainstorm ideas for the future. This intimate affair provides a platform for two like-minded organizations to focus our advocacy efforts to achieve equality in filmmaking. Ava DuVernay, Founder of Array, and Danae Ringelmann, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Indiegogo, will host the 5th annual Array Soiree as part of the beginning of a collaboration to achieve our mutual mission of empowering all aspiring filmmakers to get a chance to bring their ideas to the screen. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such an inspirational organization in indie film.

Indiegogo at Sundance Film Festival

Often referred to as the premiere independent film festival in the world, Sundance is a week we look forward to every year. We’ve seen many past campaigners be recognized at Sundance, including Justin Simien winning Best Breakthrough Director in 2014 for Dear White People and Lily Amirpour whose A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night garnered massive critical praise for its unique filmmaking perspective. This year, we’re looking forward to seeing 3 Indiegogo campaigns hit the silver screen. If you’re going to Sundance 2016, block off time on your schedule to catch these incredible films.

MeTube 2 – SHORT FILM / International Narrative Short Film

MeTube was an homage to all the talented YouTubers that create videos from their living rooms every day. It quickly became a viral sensation, reaching over 1.6 million views thus far and was selected as part of the short film selection at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Main characters Elfie and her nerdy son August became a huge hit, so creator Daniel Moshel wanted to raise funds on Indiegogo to create MeTube 2, a “flashmob opera on acid.” The Indiegogo community contributed over $25,000 to help fund production of MeTube 2, which is slated to premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival as part of the International Narrative Short Film selection.

MeTube 2: August Sings Carmina Burana show times:

Miles Ahead – FEATURE FILM / Spotlight

Don Cheadle’s Miles Ahead has already received widespread attention and recognition, having closed the New York Film Festival back in October 2015. For Cheadle’s directorial debut, he chose Indiegogo as a way to reach out to the music and film communities socially, just as Miles Davis used his horn as a form of social music. After raising over $344,000 on Indiegogo from more than 2,100 contributors, Miles Ahead’s rights were acquired by Sony Pictures and the film received critical acclaim from NYFF attendees. Miles Ahead will be part of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival Spotlight collection as a feature film.

Miles Ahead show times:

Much Ado About Nothing – FEATURE FILM / World Cinema Dramatic Competition

An upper-class kid gets in trouble with the one percent in this feature film based on a true story. In October 2013, Martin Larrain, a politician’s son, was accused of a hit and run that resulted in a young man’s death. The contradictory stories that followed the incident shed light on a society’s broken justice system, bringing director Alejandro Fernandez Almendras to create his film Aquí no ha pasado nada – Much Ado About Nothing. More than $27,000 was raised on Indiegogo to tell this urgent story. As part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, Much Ado About Nothing paints an eye-opening portrait of privileged youth and moral indifference.

Much Ado About Nothing show times:

Indiegogo at Slamdance Film Festival

Though Sundance may be the more recognizable name in January film festivals, Slamdance is arguably just as impactful in producing blockbuster hits and cult classics. Founded in 1995 by a group of filmmakers, Slamdance is like Sundance’s edgier younger sibling, with a no-frills film festival experience. Notable hits stemming from Slamdance include Paranormal Activity and Napoleon Dynamite. Indiegogo is excited to be a part of Slamdance yet again, with 8 film campaigns selected to be a part of this distinguished lineup.

Hunky Dory – Narrative Feature Film

An honest and empathetic story exploring the relationship between an unconventional father and his son, Hunky Dory tells the tale of Sidney, a dive bar drag queen who is forced to look after his 11-year-old son after his ex leaves town. Director Michael Curtis Johnson and Co-Writer / Lead Actor Tomas Pais are currently raising funds on Indiegogo to not only help fund production, but to secure license rights for the music used in the film. Hunky Dory will be making its world premiere at Slamdance 2016.

Hunky Dory show times:

In Crystal Skin – Documentary Shorts Program

In Crystal Skin is an intimate documentary showcasing four individuals challenged by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a skin disease “so rare that it is not considered commercially viable to develop a cure.” Filmed in Bogota, Colombia, In Crystal Skin raised more than $28,000 in a month to help fund production of this unique glimpse into the tremendous fortitude of those living with a rare disease. Directed by Michael O’Brien, In Crystal Skin will premiere at Slamdance 2016 as part of the Documentary Shorts Program.

In Crystal Skin show times:

How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town – Special Screening

What’s a little sex between people you’ve known all your life? That’s what Jeremy LaLonde, Director and Screenwriter of How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town wanted to answer when he started his Indiegogo campaign for this comedy about accepting that it’s okay to be who you are and not worry about what others think of you – no matter how awkward the situation. More than 1100 backers contributed to the campaign, raising more than $136,000 CAD. How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town is making its US premiere at Slamdance as a special screening.

How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town show times:

The Lesson – Narrative Feature Film

Written and directed by Ruth Platt, The Lesson is a dark horror film showcasing the grisly relationship between a tormented teacher and the troubled teens who face his wrath once he snaps. This feature film was funded on Indiegogo and screened at Film 4 Frightfest in London in 2015. The Lesson will be making its North American premiere at Slamdance 2016.

The Lesson show times:

Gwilliam – Anarchy Short Film Program

Gwilliam is Director/Producer Brian Lonano’s tenth short film, telling the gross love story between man and goblin. His low budget films featuring practical effects like miniatures, puppets and fake blood have become film festival favorites. After screening at several film fests throughout the world in 2015, Gwilliam was selected to screen at Slamdance as part of the Anarchy Shorts program.

Gwilliam show times:

Neptune – Narrative Feature Film

Set in the late 1980s on an island off the coast of Maine, Neptune is a strange and beautiful journey directed by Derek Kimball that couples haunting visions with themes of loss, animism and the universal search for identity. Since its 2012 Indiegogo campaign, Neptune has screened locally and is part of the 2016 Slamdance Narrative Feature Films selection.

Neptune show times:

Peanut Gallery – Documentary Feature Films

Oscar-nominated producer Molly Gandour returns home to Indiana for six weeks to break the silence around her sister’s death in Peanut Gallery, a documentary about a family who never fully recovered from this tragedy. This immensely personal and intimate film has already received critical acclaim from the indie film community and raised funds via Indiegogo in December 2015 to reach a broader audience at Slamdance Film Festival 2016.

Peanut Gallery show times:

Fursonas – Documentary Feature Films

The Furry world refers to a tightly knit community of people interested in anthropomorphic animals, some of whom own elaborate costumes known as fursuits. Fursonas, directed by Dominic Rodriguez, takes a look at this diverse group of people to challenge the audience to sympathize with some strange ideas they may not have considered. Fursonas will be making its world premiere at Slamdance 2016 as part of the Documentary Feature Films selection.

Fursonas show times:

Which of these films are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments and we’ll see you in Park City, Utah!