Sundance Changing of the Guard

Major changes arrive to the Sundance Film Festival in 2009. Beginning in February when Festival Director, Geoffrey Gilmore, leaves Sundance after 19 years and moves over to Tribeca Enterprises and Film Festival. In March, John Cooper, the festival's former Director of Film Programming, takes Gilmore's place as Director. And finally, this month Trevor Groth steps into Cooper's vacant position.
Cooper, with 20 years experience at Sundance and previous experience as a playwright, is no amateur and will surely sail the Sundance ship like he's been captain all along. Known for his easy demeanor and championing of the underdog, he is sure to bring a slightly new flavor to the festival.
Groth, a Salt Lake City native, and a part of the festival for more than 16 years says it has been "an exhilirating journey." He began as a volunteer for the festival when he was in high school. Cooper sites Groth as having a taste for the "offbeat and experimental."
The changes in leadership will bring immediate though subtle changes to 2010's festival and beyond. Already there is talk of new film categories for next year's festival. Cooper's keen awareness of changing technologies in film and the challenges of independent filmmakers will also certainly come into play along with Groth's experiences working at CineVegas Film Festival.
In addition to all of the changes with the festival, the Sundance Institute lost its Executive Director, Ken Brecher, in April. Brecher also had been with Robert Redford's Sundance for 19 years and will stay on as a strategic advisor for the next two years. In the meantime, a search for his replacement is ongoing.