Frequently Asked Questions
About Sundance London
Q: What is Sundance London?
A: Sundance London is a Film and Music Festival. The actor, director, and activist Robert Redford launched an independent film festival in the mountains of Utah, USA 30 years ago. Called the Sundance Film Festival and held each January, it has since become the largest independent film festival in the world. Many film makers including Quentin Tarantino, Stephen Soderbergh, and Darren Aronofsky, got their big breaks at Sundance. Ranging from critical darlings like Blue Valentine, Man on Wire, and Take Shelter to cult classics like Run Lola Run and The Blair Witch Project, to audience favourites’ including Reservoir Dogs, Little Miss Sunshine, and Napoleon Dynamite, the Sundance Film Festival has established itself as the premier platform for audiences looking to discover the most exciting new work and new voices in independent film.
In April 2013, UK audiences will have the chance to experience the Sundance Film Festival in our own back yard. As Sundance London, Robert Redford and his Sundance Institute will present a four-day festival featuring a selection of the best films from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, an exciting music line-up, and a series of panel discussions on the most pressing issues facing independent filmmakers on both sides of the pond.
From Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th April, 2013 Cineworld at The O2 will screen films back to back, with filmmakers in attendance for live Q&A following each screening. The Indigo2 will feature an array of live concerts and many of the O2′s other bars and open spaces will be filled with music from new bands and artists.
Q: When is Sundance London?
A: The 2013 festival will run Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 April 2013 inclusive.
Thursday 25 April:
Films will screen from 6.00pm / music events will take place from 7.00pm.
Friday 26 April:
Films will screen from midday / music events will take place from 7.00pm.
Saturday 27 April:
Films will screen from 10am / music events will take place from 7.00pm.
Sunday 28 April:
Films will screen from 10am / music events will take place from 7.00pm.
All days:
The last film will finish screening around 11.30pm in time for the last tube.
Q: Where is Sundance London and how do I get there?
A: Sundance London screenings, panels, music and other events all take place at The O2, London. Films will be shown in the Cineworld cinema, music events at the indigO2, plus other activities will take place at the Festival Hub in Inc Club and other spaces and venues within The O2.
North Greenwich underground station on the Jubilee line serves The O2 with the walk from the station to the Arena only approx. 200meters.
Alternatively you can reach The O2 via the Thames Clipper River Boat service, alighting at North Greenwich Pier.
New for the 2013 festival you can reach The O2 via the Emirates Airline Cable Cars to North Greenwich from the Royal Docks. The journey takes approx. 10mins and provides a unique ride and view over the River Thames.
For further details on these and all other routes to the O2 (including buses and DLR stations nearby) please click here.
Q: How can I book a ticket for Sundance London?
A: From the first week of November film package tickets will be available to buy for Sundance London 2013. These will be bookable via SEE Tickets.
Music events will be announced and on sale at a later date – please check back here or the main Sundance London website for further details. You can also sign up to email alerts for up to date news and on sale notifications by clicking here.
After booking a film package, SEE Tickets will send you link to your booking in March 2013 when the film programme is announced, so you can go back in and select the film titles you’d like to view. (These titles will be selected following the Sundance Film Festival in the US which takes place in January 2013). Make sure you select on your booking day to get the best tickets.
From March 2013 there will also be the chance for customers to buy individual film tickets and panel tickets.
Sundance London Film/Panels/Music/Events
Q: What is a film package/why should I buy one now?
A: For information on our film packages click here.
If you buy a film package now, even though you won’t know the film titles, you will have priority access to pick the films you want to see in advance of the general public and each package includes priority access to the Festival Hub.
Once you purchase a ticket package we’ll contact you when the film titles are announced and give you a period of time to select the films that make up your package before the films are released to the general public. Most of our film packages can be shared with a friend or family member, so you can start lining up your film-loving companions now. If you purchase a Superscreen Pass, you can view the screenings playing in that theatre once the film schedule is released.
Q: What if I just want to see one film? How can I buy an individual film/panel/music event ticket?
A:From the end of March 2013 once the film programme is announced, there will be the chance for customers to buy individual film and panel tickets. Please check back here.
Q: What happens if I buy a package but don’t like any of the films/music events?
A: You have over 14 films to choose from – they are all the best of Sundance, you’re going to love them!
Q: What if the films I want to see are sold out? Can I get a refund?
A: By booking any of the film packages you will be entitled to a priority 48hr booking period when the film titles are announced. (You will of course be informed of the titles and the priority booking period in advance). Each title will play multiple times over the four day period to optimise your chances of getting to see just what you want.
Q: What is the Waitlist?
A: For individual film, ticket holders if it appears that a screening has sold out, you may still have a chance to attend. The “waitlist” has become a Sundance Film Festival tradition and each year many attendees see popular films without advance tickets. It’s not a “list”, but a queue. There’s no need to go to The O2 Box Office – just go directly to the cinemas. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before the published screening start time. About 15 minutes prior to published screening start time, a capacity count is taken in the cinema and if seats are empty, waitlist tickets will be sold in queue order. Waitlist tickets are the same price as an individual ticket price. Timetables for waitlist tickets are subject to change at the discretion of the theatre manager.
Q: When will the films be announced?
A: Following the Sundance Film Festival 2013 (which runs at the end of January), we’ll choose a selection of films from Festival to present in London. The line-up is sure to be worth the wait!
Q: Is there an age restriction for any of the Sundance London films or events?
A: All films will be certified and age restrictions will comply with these so please check the certification of the films when you select them.
For music events at indigO2, age restrictions will be as per venue regulations. Please see the indigO2 info here.
Q: Do I have to buy a film ticket to see a band?
A: No. Music tickets to events at indigO2 are also sold separately, however you may also buy a music and film combination ticket when these become available.
Sundance London General
Q: Will Robert Redford be at Sundance London?
A: Yes! Mr. Redford is headlining one of the events, and will be present for the full run of the festival.
Q: Will there be any celebrities?
A: Sundance will attract actors, actresses, music artists and film makers – so there will be celebrities attending – but we don’t know which events they will be going to.
Q: Will there be any meet and greets?
A: All of the film makers will be appearing at their own films, so they will be available to answer questions about their films after the screenings.
If you buy a package you will automatically get a Credential that gives you priority access to the Sundance London Inc Club where you can see new bands performing and get to meet some of the Sundance Film makers and hear them talk about their films.
Q: What is the Sundance London Inc Club?
A: This is a venue in The O2 where film makers will meet every day at an advertised time to meet festival goers and answer questions and also talk about their careers. This is also where up and coming bands will be performing every day. Credential holders get priority access to this venue.
Q: Is there disabled access?
A: All of the Sundance London venues will have disabled access. Please check The O2 venue accessibility guide here.
You can book tickets for anyone with access requirements via SEE Tickets on 0844 858 6754 (calling from the UK) 0044 (0) 1142 249 752 (calling from outside the UK).
Q: Will merchandise be available?
A: Sundance London Merchandise is available online on The O2′s website plus it will be sold during the festival.
Q: If I go outside can I come back in?
A: For every event you will have a ticket so as long as you have that you can leave and re-enter.
Q: What happens if I lose my tickets?
A: On the day of the show there will be Sundance London Volunteers at the venue to help with any ticketing queries, although generally tickets for Sundance are not replaceable, once issued they are your responsibility.
Q: Are there any refunds or exchanges?
A: Sorry, no. However, in the event of a cancelled screening that occurs once you are seated, an announcement will be made in the auditorium regarding your refund or exchange options. We may offer exchanges for the same film if there are still tickets available to a future screening, or vouchers that can be exchanged at the O2 Box Office or in a waitlist line for any other film. If we cannot accommodate you, we will honor refund requests via email. Please contact SEE Tickets with your booking number. Please note that the value of a ticket purchased in a ticket package is only the standard ticket price. No refunds, exchanges or vouchers will be offered to pass holders (Superscreen or Friends of London Passes).
Q: I didn’t receive my tickets?
A: All the package and music tickets will be sent registered delivery so please ensure See Tickets have your correct delivery address. If your address changes after you make your booking you need to update See Tickets with any changes immediately.
Q: What happens if I am no longer able to attend on the dates I originally chose?
A: Once tickets are sold there are no refunds or exchanges offered, however in extreme cases we would suggest you contact See Tickets as they may be able to help on a case by case basis.
Q: How can I become a Sundance London Volunteer?
A: Email VolunteerSundanceLondon@theo2.co.uk and register your interest in being one of our Festival Volunteers.
Sundance London & Cineworld
Q: Is Cineworld still operating their usual films during the festival?
A: Yes, Sundance London is using screens 6-11 – so screens 1-5 are still showing Cineworld films.
Q: Are the cinema seats reserved? Can I book a particular seat?
A: No – none of the cinema seats are reserved at the time of booking, they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. You need to arrive early to make sure you get the best seats.
We advise everyone needs to be in their seats 15mins prior to the start of each screening. Please Note – latecomers may not be admitted and no refund will be offered.
Q: Can I use my Unlimited Card? Will there be Orange 2 for 1 offers available for Sundance London film screenings?
A: No, sorry.
Q: Do the usual discounts offered at Cineworld The O2 extend to Sundance London film tickets?
A: No, sorry.
Q: Are there any discounts for Students or OAPs?
A: No, sorry. All tickets are priced the same for all at Sundance London – please visit the purchasing page here for full ticket type and price details.