Robert Redford at Sundance: diversity comes out of the word ‘independence’

“Diversity comes out of the word ‘independence, ‘” Redford said. These moviemakers, who might otherwise be closed out of the process, can prevail by making films cheaper, with smaller, less expensive cameras and software that lets them edit at home.

The “explosion of VR (virtual reality) work is what this year is about”, Cooper said.

“The most important thing is the story”, he added later. Now I’m back, for my 10th year in a row, to attend and cover the Sundance Film Festival. It stars Marta Mazurek and Michalina Olszańska as mermaid sisters who leave their watery domain to become nightclub singers and also to snack on a few patrons – although trouble begins when love suddenly intrudes. “A new year in independent film will start right here-on the mountain-in January”. Their films will soon launch onto the global stage, beginning their journeys through our culture.

For those wanting even more, Sundance will screen Linklater’s 1993 hit Dazed and Confused, with commentary by Linklater and acclaimed director Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Juno).

Among eagerly awaited films are Nat Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, which follows a literate slave and preacher in the antebellum South who, after witnessing atrocities against fellow slaves, revolts.

Nick Jonas continues to rid himself of any kid-friendly residue with “Goat”, which explores a different kind of brotherhood: the world of fraternity hazing.

I had to sniff around (pardon the pun) a little longer this year to find some lighter fare but I found a victor in Wiener-Dog. “All the stuff that NASA sent to the moon we had to build, so we had to build a lunar escape module, we had to build all of the spacesuits”, he says. How could a film starring a dog bringing joy not be a runaway hit? Expect this to be a howling success.

Another documentary about USA journalist James Foley, who was beheaded by the Islamic State group, will make its debut at Sundance. And public figures have always earned a showcase at Sundance. And this year, the big opening night documentary is about Norman Lear, the legendary TV writer and producer. Schedules and ticket information can be found online, here.

Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang charts the rise of contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang from her childhood to the huge name that she now is within the art world.

Sundance Institute director Keri Putnam said part of the organization’s mission is to discover new voices “from across the spectrum of our society”. So, right now, I’m completely guessing with these five movies. Other VR experiences include what it is like to be one of the 80,000 people today in solitary confinement and the experience of being bllind.

Canada Goose is pleased to support filmmakers and for the fourth year has created its official Sundance 2016 jacket – a special-edition Brookvale Jacket exclusively for directors and jury members. You can count on running into famous faces at Park City supemarkets, restaurants and the local Starbucks. The film, starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, and Kyle Chandler, isn’t a thriller like In the Bedroom, but its New England setting and story of parents and children might strike a vaguely similar chord. Filmmaking brothers Jay & Mark Duplass in 2010, director Duncan Jones in 2009 after the premiere of his film Moon, director Marc Webb and stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Zooey Deschanel from 500 Days of Summer, director Greg Mottola in 2009 for Adventureland, actor and filmmaker Mark Webber for his personal film The End of Love, actor Larry Bishop from Hell Ride in 2008, actor Ed Helms from Cedar Rapids in 2011, filmmaker Derek Cianfrance in 2010 for Blue Valentine, and one of the best of all, actor Nathan Fillion in 2007 talking about the indie drama Waitress.

Conor’s time is soon taken up by two things: trying not to get beaten up, and his new band, formed to impress the girl of his dreams, Raphina (Lucy Boynton).

In the midst of all this change, the big question for organizers is how to keep Sundance, Sundance.

Also on the agenda: A brunch presentation to film industry decision makers on Sunday.