Fifth Annual Sundance NEXT FEST Returns to LA This August

The Sundance Film Festival travels from the snow-capped peaks of Park City, Utah to the summer sun of Los Angeles for the fifth Sundance NEXT FEST, August 10-13. The movie and music festival celebrates the renegade spirit of independent artists in one of the most remarkable and historic gems in the city - The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, a bold and loving reanimation of a 1920s movie palace. Each movie will be paired with exclusive, dynamic live elements, including musical performances and provocative conversations with filmmakers and cinema-world favorites.

John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, "Think of Sundance NEXT FEST as a warmer version of our Festival that we've concocted just for Los Angeles: we're premiering an incredible and high-energy lineup of independent films, served up with a side of music and talent, in a fantastic and totally unique venue."

Weekend ticket packages and daily ticket packages are on sale today at sundance.org/next; early bird prices end June 5. Individual tickets will go on sale this summer; Sundance Institute members will have access to an exclusive members party and discount code.

NEXT DOOR, back by popular demand, will be open during the festival for guests to continue the party between screenings. Adjacent to The Theatre at Ace Hotel, NEXT DOOR is an outdoor space with food trucks, drinks, games and more.

Sundance NEXT FEST is an extension of the popular NEXT section at the Sundance Film Festival which showcases stylistically adventurous and bold films, and has launched titles including Obvious Child, Tangerine, James White, Nasty Baby and Escape from Tomorrow. Sundance NEXT FEST highlights from last year include the LA premiere of Lovesong with a performance by Shamir; the coming-of-age comedy Morris from America and a local teen talent show hosted by Craig Robinson; the LA premiere of Goat, starring Nick Jonas and paired with the band Sunflower Bean; a showcase of comedy short films from the 2016 Sundance Film Festival hosted by Nick Kroll; and The Greasy Strangler paired with a performance by Big Freedia and the world premiere of Flying Lotus aka steve's directorial debut, the short film Royal.

Sundance NEXT FEST supporters to date include: Principal Sponsor - Acura; Media Sponsor - LA WEEKLY; and Supporting Sponsors - Beachside, Dolby Laboratories, Inc., FilmL.A., Inc., Stella Artois®, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, and Utah Office of Tourism and Film.

Sundance Institute Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. The Institute's signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Boyhood, Swiss Army Man, Manchester By the Sea, Brooklyn, Little Miss Sunshine, Life, Animated, Sonita, 20 Feet From Stardom, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles is Ace's loving re-animation of the historic United Artists Theater. Built in 1927 for the maverick film studio founded by Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, The Theatre stands as a monument to a group of seminal American artists - modern iconoclasts striking out on their own. Ace's restoration of this majestic space serves as a singular stage for art, film, dance and creative celebration in the heart of the Broadway Theater District's vibrant modern renaissance. View all upcoming events at The Theatre at Ace Hotel DTLA at theatre.acehotel.com.

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