Sundance Online Scores Gore Interview, Attracts Unprecedented Video Audience

Sundance Online Scores Gore Interview, Attracts Unprecedented Video Audience

PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A record number of people have experienced the 2006 Sundance Film Festival Online, which includes dozens of Sundance short films and the only extended on-camera interview with former Vice-President Al Gore at the Festival.

During the first week of Sundance, which began January 19, an estimated 700,000 viewers watched Festival videos on the Internet, nearly twice the rate of the 2005 event in the same time period.

"The Web provides Sundance filmmakers with a platform to reach the broadest audience with their content. We are delighted by the response this year and we expect to grow exponentially," Sundance Institute Director of Digital Initiatives said.

Sundance Online (http://www.sundance.org/), which showcases original films, Park City happenings and interviews, has brought the Festival experience to worldwide cinema lovers since 2002.

"At this pace we expect to reach one million video downloads by the time the Festival closes on Sunday, signaling a fantastic worldwide audience for Sundance's short film program," Sundance Online chief producer Joseph Beyer said.

Beyer and the Sundance Online crew spent time with Gore during his visit to Park City. Gore was in town for the premiere of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, a documentary about the former vice-president's activism against global warming.

The interview, which posted this week, is one of many original online programs, which include director chats, audience question and answer periods, and daily wraps of happenings in Park City.

Other new online programs planned for the remainder of the Festival include the podcast of a panel discussion with Wim Wenders and Sam Shepard about their collaboration on the classic film PARIS, TEXAS and the 2006 Sundance film DON'T COME KNOCKING, and video highlights of the Closing Nights Awards Ceremony.

The Sundance Film Festival is the only major film fest to premiere films on the Internet in conjunction with their live premieres in Park City, UT. Best of all, to experience Sundance Online, you don't have to fill out forms or pay a fee.

Since its inception, Sundance Online has attracted more than 5 million visitors, served hundreds of thousands of video streams each year, showcased the work of more than 200 visual artists, and won a 2004 Webby award. For more, visit http://www.sundance.org/.

Source: Sundance Film Festival

CONTACT: Irene Cho or Richard Stenger, both for Sundance Film Festival,
+1-435-940-8920

Web site: http://www.sundance.org/

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