“The organizers aimed to cultivate a growing audience for independent film, giving them an opportunity to watch films they might not typically see at the theater,” Sundance Institute Archivist Tanya De Angelis says. “Robert Redford and the Sun- dance Institute wanted to develop a focus on the unique, and artists and independent storytellers were enthusiastic about gathering together and sharing their work in a place where it wouldn’t be so easily pigeonholed.”

And while the festival has grown and changed in the nearly 40 years since the Sundance Institute took the helm in 1985, its mission and focus have remained the same. At its core, it seeks to discover, support and inspire independent artists worldwide and introduce audiences to their new work.

“The focus has and always should be on artists and their stories. Independent storytellers advance and challenge cultural discourse by creating stories that explore and document the world around us,” Tanya says. “By uplifting and showcasing this independent approach to creating and exploring, there will always be new stories and perspectives that push boundaries and take risks, giving artists and audiences the opportunity to discover, engage, connect and create community.”

The festival was initially known as the U.S. Film Festival and was held over the summer in Salt Lake City before the late film director and Sundance board member Sydney Pollack suggested a change in timing (moving the festival from late summer to mid-winter) and venue (relocating to Park City). According to the Park City Museum, he told organizers, “You’d be the only film festival in the world held in a ski resort during ski season, and Hollywood would beat down the door to attend.”