Let's see what their websites have to say for themselves:
Sundance - Jan. 21-31 - "Sundance Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its programs, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work."
Attendance = over 45,000 annually
Over 9,800 films submitted for 2010 festival (almost 200 being screened)
Founded in 1984.
Slamdance - Jan. 21-28 -"As the preeminent festival whose sole mission is to nurture, support and showcase truly independent works, Slamdance has established a unique reputation for premiering new films by first-time writers and directors working within the creative confines of limited budgets. Slamdance’s goal is to strengthen its year-round efforts in support of these artists and to leverage its name and reputation for the further development of other Slamdance media components." (italics and bold fonts added by me).
Attendance = ?
Established in 1995.
LDS Film Festival - Jan. 20-23 - "The LDS Film Festival strives to annually present a diverse spectrum of films that represent the status quo of current LDS filmmaking. At the same time, the LDS Film Festival seeks to discuss what LDS filmmaking should be or could be. The festival's LDS Film Forum presents papers by LDS scholars and academics that deal with different theoretical aspects of Mormon filmmaking. Discourses, discussions and exposure to different ideas and thoughts are all encouraged."
Attendance in 2009 = 7000.
Founded in 2001.
