Sundance fest promises films on race, sexuality, violence

Both a showcase and marketplace for independent film, the Sundance Film Festival draws emerging and established artists from around the world seeking a wider audience for their work, and distributors hungry for fresh content.

While movies are the main event, the spirit and celebrity of Sundance extends throughout Park City with exclusive parties and other starry events, and even a whole other film festival.

Other notable premieres include "Indignation," a coming-of-age story set in the early 1950s that marks the feature directorial debut of Oscar-nominated screenwriter James Schamus, former chief of Focus Features; "Sing Street," the latest musical endeavor from John Carney ("Once"); and "Mr. Pig," from co-writer and director Diego Luna, which stars Danny Glover as a man who takes a road trip with his giant pig.

Some of the love stories in the dramatic competition are "Southside With You," a take on Barack and Michelle Obama's first date; "Morris from America," about an African-American kid coming of age in Germany; and "Lovesong," starring Riley Keough and Jena Malone as friends who discover a new intimacy in their relationship.

With some Hollywood A-listers calling for a boycott of the Academy Awards because of its all-white slate of acting nominees, diversity is bound to be a hot topic among stars and filmmakers at the fest.

Star sightings are common in Park City throughout the 11-day festival, but especially during the first weekend.

Besides Lee, Radcliffe, Dano and Dunham (also a Sundance judge this year), Danny DeVito, Don Cheadle, Viggo Mortensen, Greta Gerwig, Chelsea Handler, John Krasinski, Gabrielle Union, and Kevin Smith will all be in town.