Sundance inks iTunes film deal

The Sundance Film Festival has struck a deal with Apple to allow festival films to be sold through its iTunes store.

Thirty-three short films being screened at the festival in Utah will be made available for download for US$1.99. They will also be streamed free of charge on Sundance’s Web site when the festival kicks off on 18 January.

“Streaming on our site is not the same as owning, and there seems to be a world out there for both,” said John Cooper of the Sundance Institute.

So far, at least 33 of the 71 film shorts to be shown at the festival are slated to be distributed through the Sundance site and iTunes. They will be made available for download from 22 January.

Hollywood star Robert Redford, who founded the Sundance Film Festival, said short films were an important aspect of the annual festival.

“I have felt, from the earliest days, that if people really care about independent film, they should pay particular attention to short filmmakers, who are the best indicators of what is coming down the creative pike,” he said.

The Sundance Film Festival is held each January in Park City, Utah, USA.

Source: BBC News

Related Links: 2007 Sundance Film Festival