Arthouse Project Convergence

The Sundance Institute inititiaated the Arthouse Project back in 2006 as part of Sundance's 25th anniversary. Enzian Theater is one of the original "14" Arthouse Theaters invited by the Institute to be part of their Arthouse Project. Selection into the Arthouse Project was based on the quality of programming and the level of community engagement of each theater. Since 2006, the original 14 and other select arthouse theaters have met for a Convergence Conference for the few days preceding the Sundance Film Festival. Attendance has grown exponentially in the last few years with about 76 Arthouse operators at the convergence this year.

I represented Enzian this year at the Convergence which was held in downtown Salt Lake City from Tuesday (1/13) through Thursday (1/15). It was a great conference - topics discussed ranged from marketing to surviving the current economic climate to fund raising to alternative distribution to digital exhibition to education. I met some wonderful people - hung out with the Mainers quite a bit. John Cooper, Program Director for Sundance, opened the conference with a great speech. Ted Hope, Peter Broderick and Bob Berney sat on an interesting panel about alternative methods of distribution. Ted Hope (producer of many successful films including 21 grams, Towelhead, Happiness etc) closed out the Convergence with an awesome speech - can't wait to re-read the transcript. Overall I was real pleased with the time I spent at the convergence and the people and connections that were made. Look forward to attending again next year!

-Chris