Forget about Sundance. If you’re any sort of action sports/outdoor recreation/mountain lover, and you’re in Utah the third week of January, then the GoPro X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival is your ground zero for the biggest, baddest and best rock climbing, surfing, mountain biking, skiing, and outdoor documentary films of the year.
This go-round is the 11th anniversary of X-Dance, and it seems to be bigger than ever. The festival is moving from the modest digs at the Off-Broadway Theater on Salt Lake City’s Main Street, to a larger venue at The Depot in the Gateway. The festival runs from January 22-25 and will feature outdoor-related movies from filmmakers around the world.
“The GoPro X-Dance Action Sports Film Fest, Presented by SkullCandy, will take place in both Salt Lake City and Park City. We are totally stoked to screen the best action sports films in the world at The Depot this year. It’s such an amazing venue and a perfect fit for X-Dance,” says festival director Brian Wimmer. “For the closing party and award ceremony we are returning to Harry O’s where we can award these devoted filmmakers and celebrate action sports culture in the epicenter of the Sundance Film Festival!”
According to festival organizers, this year’s movie line-up features films “starring the likes of madman skier Tanner Hall, soul surfer Rob Machado, world record breaking free skier Grete Eliassen, snowboard maverick Jeremy Jones, kayaking superstar Rush Sturges, and MotoX madman Robbie Maddison.”
The 4-day festival will include:
- Screenings open to the public of top action sports films from industry stalwarts like Taylor Steele, Red Bull, Poor Boyz, and VAS, as well as noteworthy work by emerging talent and world premieres. Screenings run Saturday, January 22 thru Monday, January 24 and will occur at The Depot (www.depotslc.com). Films will be shown starting at 2pm on Saturday and run through Monday evening the 24th. For the detailed schedule go to x-dance.com
- Parking for THE DEPOT screenings in the Gateway Mall, parking lot or on street for a fee. Tickets are $8 per film, $5 for students. $40 for a 3-day pass. $25 for students.
- Open forums for question and answer sessions after each screening with filmmakers and featured athletes
- The X-Dance Institute will host an open-to-the-public presentation by FirstCom (www.firstcom.com), a cutting-edge music licensing site on Monday, January 24th at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, January 23 at 630 pm another panel will explore the topic of how to market your film in the present day climate.
- Opening Party on Saturday, January 22, at The Depot with DJS and VJs sponsored by Red Bull.
- X-Dance Awards Ceremony and Closing Party will be held on Tuesday, January 25 at Harry O’s in Park City. Industry stars and celebrities join bands and DJs to celebrate the best in action sports filmmaking.
Below are some overviews and trailers of accepted films:
Castles in the Sky: A completely new approach to surf filmmaking by Taylor Steele. Filmed in five countries over three years, the movie delves into the true heart of the locations while the surfers travel through them with a sense of open-minded awe. With never-before seen waves, an original score, and some of the best surfers in the world contributing their art, passion and athleticism, this is as close to the experience of pioneering new coastlines as you can get without getting on a plane!
CASTLES IN THE SKY from Sipping Jetstreams on Vimeo.
Say My Name follows female professional skier Grete Eliassen as she travels the globe with the goal to inspire and evolve women’s skiing. Stacked with a handful of skiing’s elite female lineup, this high definition film features Lynsey Dyer, Sarah Burke, Keri Herman, Ana Segal, Kaya Turski and Suz Graham. See the world this international ski superstar roams, from a world record hip jump in 2010 to her exploration of the rugged backcountry.
Say My Name Teaser 2010 from Stan Evans Photography on Vimeo.
Melali: Set across the vast Indonesian island chain, Melali: The Drifter Sessions features Rob Machado — one of the most stylish and skilled wave riders of our time. Melali returns to the fundamentals of surf cinematography by focusing on the surfing experience, the artful relationship between man and surf, and the sharing of this experience with good friends.
Melali : Drifter Sessions – Music Trailer from vas entertainment on Vimeo.
Life Cycles: A cinematic and stunningly beautiful portrait of the sport of mountainbiking film shot on a Red One by Stance Films. A cinematic masterpiece with a compelling narrative expressing the deep love and passions behind one of man’s greatest inventions…the bike! The sound track is incredibly soulful and gritty. Ryan Gibb paints with the camera using time lapse, textures and movement. Do not miss this film.
Life Cycles OFFICIAL Trailer from Life Cycles on Vimeo.
AZADI: Freedom takes a look at Kashmir in the wake of the violent militant insurgence of the 90s through the lens of skiing. The unique role that skiing is playing in rebuilding tourism in Kashmir is explored using cinematography, animation, and the story of local characters. The film crew explores the future presented to young Kashmiri as they venture into the mountains — on backcountry skis. The world’s highest skiable gondola sits amid the most militarized region in the world, yet the freedom of adventure is drawing foreigners back to this former Shangri-La.
“AZADI: Freedom” Official Trailer from b4apres media on Vimeo.
For more information and a complete list of the screening schedule, visit www.x-dance.com
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