The Circuit

A light dusting and gloomy skies greeted the Wednesday wave of industry into Park City.  Also a big bloc of volunteers arrived today.  While the festival doesn't pay to bring them in, they do put them up in condos across the Park City.  The fest also pays a $150 stipend for food that one dedicated volunteer told The Circuit she usually gives back.  Eating for free during Sundance isn't a problem.

Like last year, Sundance is pushing their Focus on Film mantra with bowls of free buttons.  It's the fest's not-so-subtle stab at the explosion of Sundance hanger-ons - the gifting suites and events from dozens of companies looking for some of the Sundance spotlight.  Sundance isn't kind to these companies.  They're quick to point out that their official festival sponsors fund a majority of the Institute and, thus, support filmmakers.  Paris Hilton, MySpace, and the Hard Rock Casino do not. 

That we know of.