The Circuit

Sundance regained some territory in their war-without-end against "ambush marketers" -- those companies that set up in Park City yet aren't official sponsors.  The fest announced that they'll take over The Lift -- which last year was a gifting suite morass.  They'll re-name it The Sundance Lift, using it for official events, press junkets, and other functions.

Sarah Pearce, Director of Festival Operations, said. "The Sundance Lift will provide well-needed space for press junkets and filmmaker events, free from gifting suites and other non-film-related activity. Our hope is that it will send a message to those hangers-on who do not support the Festival."

What's the big deal about non-sanctioned companies?  Aren't leeches and parasites a vital part of any ecosystem?  Not really, says the fest.  The non-profit Sundance Institute uses the fest as its biggest fundraiser, spreading the money year-round to programs worldwide.  And while doctors sometimes use leeches to in re-attachment surgery, the Institute says their leeches are re-attaching or contributing anything to filmmakers.