Slamdance is in its 30th year of showing unique and truly independent films and is offering what most film festivals have decided to throw out the window: both in-person and virtual screenings. Admittedly the fun of going to a film festival is the in-person experience of the physical theater, the reactions and excitement in the audience and the overall feeling of being a part of a festival. While that’s an incredible way to spend some time, not everyone can physically or financially make it to other cities or countries to enjoy that excitement. While I sort of understand why many festivals have decided to cut out the virtual it seems like a decent revenue stream that, if you can get all the film submitters to agree, doesn’t seem to have that much more work necessary to create. This is especially true of those festivals who set up a virtual version during the heady days of the pandemic… but I digress.

The in-person festival started this weekend and is now in the full throttle running through January 25th. I will be going the “couch-surfing” route and attending the virtual festival instead which runs from January 22nd through the 28th. I’m SO excited. Just having looked through the film guide and watching trailers I already have a handful of films that are unmissable, but more about that down below.

If you’re not familiar, Slamdance is a reaction to the enormous celebration that is Sundance film festival. To follow along with that behemoth, check out Josh’s in-person coverage from Park City. By reaction, I mean it feels like a wider breadth of films that may seem a little too experimental, not necessarily a huge box-office hit or simply just didn’t fit in to the Sundance crowd. That being said, I’m consistently excited and intrigued by the Slamdance offerings and it just goes to show that there are too many artists out there creating fantastic work and not all of them can make it into a specific festival; that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth seeing. For a Seattle-specific frame of reference think SIFF and STIFF (STIFF, the now defunct alternative film festival, being the Slamdance equivalent).

Like I mentioned above I’ve roamed the lineup for this year’s Slamdance and below is a quick list of films I’m most eager to see (this is in no way exhaustive):

• African Giants: Two african brothers, Alhaji and Sheku, have moved to the States to pursue their dreams. The first an actor in LA, the other a law student. Sheku is visiting Alhaji for the weekend when he confesses he wants to be an actor like his older brother. A long discussion between the two reveals the cracks in Alhaji’s life in pursuit of his dream.
• Bitcoin Car: A musical journey through the strange world of Bitcoin and a “bitcoin mine” built in a small Nordic coastal town. A crypto investor has come to this small town with big plans that have a huge impact not only on its townspeople but on the ecology as well. When creatures who inhabit the area start to change and die, a brother and sister go on an investigation to find out what’s really happening.
• Complex Forms: A dark, psychological story about how far we’d go to get back what it is we desire most. The rich will do anything to get their money back including offering up thier very being to unknown ancient creatures.
• Darla in Space: A woman, Darla, full of despair from loneliness and lack of prospects in any aspect of her life has a unique creature enter her life. Bringing joy in a way she would never expect, she wants to help her new friend find her way to space while finding a reason to feel excited by life again.
• All I’ve Got: Based on true events, this slice of life story shows one day in a budding comedian’s life as he prepares for his first paid gig that night. To make it to where he is, he’s had to sacrifice, make ends meet however he can and make friends that help him deal with the day to day. A series of interesting events may lead to an incredible night, or bring him to his knees.

Keep an eye out for coverage of Slamdance films here throughout next week and don’t forget to check out Josh’s notebook on Sundance now.