Question 1: Which state hosts the Sundance Film Festival?
- Utah
- California
- Nevada
Correct Answer: Utah
Fact: The Sundance Film Festival was launched in 1978 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It began as a modest showcase for American-made movies and was originally called the Utah/US Film Festival. Some of the titles featured at the first edition included classics like ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ ‘Midnight Cowboy,’ and ‘Deliverance.’ Today, Sundance unfolds across iconic Utah locations, including Park City, Salt Lake City, and Sundance Resort, spotlighting independent cinema and creative storytelling.
Question 2: Which of these movies premiered at the Sundance Film Festival?
- A Quiet Place
- The Blair Witch Project
- The Silence of the Lambs
Correct Answer: The Blair Witch Project
Fact: ‘The Blair Witch Project’ premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, garnering attention for its innovative found-footage style and minimal production budget. Directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, the movie follows three filmmakers—Heather, Mike, and Josh—as they venture into the Maryland woods to document the legend of the Blair Witch. Its unique marketing and unsettling realism made the movie a breakout success, grossing almost $250 million globally.
Question 3: Which was the first Sundance film to win an Oscar for Best Picture?
- Manchester by the Sea
- CODA
- Minari
Correct Answer: CODA
Fact: ‘CODA’ premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, winning critical acclaim and four top prizes, including the US Grand Jury Prize. Directed by Sian Heder, the movie follows a child of deaf adults (CODA) navigating family and personal dreams. It was nominated for three awards at the 94th Academy Awards—Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay—and went on to win all of them.