Sundance and Park City Performing Arts Foundation's 2013 Filmmakers in the Classroom Program Set for 1/22-25

As the Sundance Film Festival whirls through Park City, students are getting in on the action. This week, a select group of filmmakers arrive at Park City High School to screen their films (or clips of their work) and to engage students in discussion on everything from AIDs treatment and educational access to film animation and screenwriting. The 2013 Filmmakers in the Classroom program, a joint effort of Sundance Institute and Park City Performing Arts Foundation's (PCPAF) Student Outreach Program, runs January 22 through 25.

For more than a decade, filmmakers have taken time out of their busy film festival schedule to share their work and experience with Park City High School students. This year's line-up of visiting filmmakers include directors, producers, screenwriters and publicists representing an array of films: Daniel Sousa and his film "Feral;" Kent Osborne, screenwriter for "Thank You;" Eva Weber, director of "Reindeer;" Anna Cady, director of "30% (Women and Politics in Sierra Leone)," AlBert Maysles, director of "The Secret of Trees;" Garrett Fennelly, producer of "Karaoke!;" Kim Longinotto, director of "Salma;" Greg Jones , Michele Stephenson and Joe Brewster with "American Promise;" Kevin Everson, director and producer of "Century;" Dr. Dylan Mohan Gray, producer and director of "Fire in the Blood;" Chelsea Winstanley (producer) and Zia Mandviwalla (director) of "Night Shift," Julie Goldman (director), Summer Damon (producer) and Dawn porter (producer) of "Gideon's Army" and Greg Barker, director of "Manhunt."

"These films and filmmakers truly bring the world to the classroom," says Jaimie Atlas, PCPAF's student outreach coordinator. "The Sundance staff has done an excellent job of finding films and filmmakers that not only present unusual and fascinating topics to their audience, but also delve into the art of filmmaking."

From the oil-painted animation of the short film "30% (Women and Politics in Sierra Leone)" to the thriller-like tale of the "Sisterhood" of CIA agents who warned of Osama bin Laden's threat before 9/11 ("Manhunt"), these films offer students an opportunity to glimpse art that most of the movie-going public never sees and to discuss the films and the issues they raise.

The 2013 Filmmakers in the Classroom Program is coordinated directly with PCHS teachers and is not open to the public.