Redford's Legacy: Sundance Film Festival's Key Impact

Thirty years ago, Robert Redford, a movie star, founded the Sundance Film Festival in Utah to support independent films. The festival now showcases movies from 37 countries and contributes around $375 million to the local economy.

Redford acknowledges that independent cinema still relies heavily on distributors, unlike mainstream Hollywood. Despite launching careers of Oscar-nominated films like Beasts of the Southern Wild and Winter's Bone, funding for campaigns remains a challenge for many independent films.

The festival's focus on developing new artists and providing a platform for their work has not changed over the years. Redford is proud that directors like Alfonso Cuaron and David O Russell, known for Gravity and American Hustle, emerged from Sundance and transitioned to mainstream success.

Sundance features a mix of established and emerging talent, with actors like Kristen Stewart, Steve Coogan, and Keira Knightley showcasing their work. Knightley highlights the unique experience of working on low-budget films compared to big-budget blockbusters.

While pay in independent cinema may be modest, Sundance continues to launch new stars annually. The festival's documentary program has been particularly successful, with four out of five Oscar nominees in the documentary category debuting at Sundance in 2013.

Despite the competition at Sundance, only a few films secure theatrical releases. Redford emphasizes the festival's commitment to its original mission and advises other festivals to stay true to their identity. The Sundance Film Festival concludes on January 26, 2014.