Known for showcasing raw and innovative filmmaking by filmmakers for filmmakers, Slamdance is ready to feature some of the best and brightest young creators’ shorts and feature debuts while providing the filmmaking community across the world with an experience that is unlike any other indie film fest.
This year, Slamdance is continuing to honor and support independent filmmaking and unconventional storytelling through the Unstoppable program in partnership with the University of Utah.
Since 2021, the Unstoppable program, founded by Juliet Romeo, Asha Chai-Chang, Gabriel Cordell, Chris Furbee, Steve Way, Peter Baxter, and Taylor Miller, has showcased new films by creators with visible and non-visible disabilities. The program has been a key launching point for filmmakers, including 2021 alumni Doug Roland whose Unstoppable short film Feeling Through was nominated for an Academy Award.
'Single'Credit: Courtesy of Slamdance
“Unstoppable is excited and grateful for this collaboration with the University of Utah because it allows for a safe space for disabled filmmakers, and an opportunity to bridge the gap between accessibility and film. This is a beautiful first step to creating real change in how films are made and consumed, and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Unstoppable programmer and co-founder Juliet Romeo.
The lineup for the 2023 Unstoppable program will take place over three days (Jan. 23-26) at the Student Union Theaters at the University of Utah, and will include feature films and shorts from various genres, filmmaker panels, and Q&As which are free and open to the public.
“We are thrilled to welcome Slamdance back to campus and to host this pathbreaking program of films,” said Andrew Patrick Nelson, Chair of the Department of Film & Media Arts at the University of Utah. “Film & Media Arts is one of the most diverse and inclusive departments at the University of Utah, and we share Slamdance’s commitment to empowering people from all backgrounds to tell their own stories through moving images."
While the Unstoppable program takes place at the University of Utah, Slamdance 2023 will continue down the street from Jan. 20-26.
Slamdance is kicking off the festival’s opening night with musician Moby’s directorial debut, PUNK ROCK VEGAN MOVIE. The film is a passionate and stylistically idiosyncratic look at the ongoing relationship between punk and animal rights.
Moby at 'The Art Of Elysium's 13th Annual Celebration - Heaven' in Los Angeles.Credit: Kurt Krieger-Corbis
“PUNK ROCK VEGAN MOVIE was created to shine a light on the surprising and inspiring history of punk rock and animal rights, but also to remind people of the importance and desperate urgency of adopting the uncompromising ethics and actions of the original punk rock activist,” said Moby in the film’s press release.
In the spirit of punk and spreading the word about activism in your local community, Moby will be giving the film away for free following the film’s Slamdance premiere.
You can purchase your Slamdance 2023 tickets and passes atslamdance.com starting on Dec. 2, 2022.
The online presentation of the 2023 festival can be viewed on Jan. 23-29 on the Slamdance Channel, which is a finely curated streaming service that brings you unique voices that defy classification and traditional cinematic storytelling.
Will you be attending Slamdance 2023? Let us know in the comments!
