The Fourth Annual Sundance Online Film Festival (SOFF) launched at www.sundance.org. This year’s Online Festival features 30 short films and interactive projects, and hours of new footage highlighting the activities and history of the Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Institute. Included in the new content are interviews with Sundance Film Festival programmers and Sundance Institute staff, behind-the-scenes looks at Institute programs, trailers from past Film Festivals, and highlights from the 2003 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony. The 2004 Sundance Online Film Festival runs until February 15, 2004.

The Sundance Online Film Festival includes films in three categories: Animation, Short Subject, and New Forms Gallery. The 12 films in the Animation section represent the diversity and creativity of online animators and artists. The Short Subject category is an eclectic collection of 10 fiction and non-fiction short films. Some of the most innovative work by media makers using interactive digital forms is featured in the New Forms Gallery category, a selection of eight works that range from entire imaginary environments to full immersion documentaries to three-dimensional experimental journeys.

New for this year’s Sundance Online Film Festival is the Jury Award for Artistic Content, presented to a film in each of the Animation, Short Subject and New Forms Gallery categories. Additionally, online viewers are encouraged to submit ratings for their favorite entries, and their selections will determine the winner of the Sundance Online Film Festival Audience Award. All awards will be announced January 24, 2004 at the Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony. Another new addition to this year’s SOFF is the $10 digital ticket, which provides continuous admission for the duration of the Online Festival. These and other innovations combine to create a completely new and original forum.

“The Sundance Online Film Festival is one of Sundance Institute’s newest and most exciting programs. The World Wide Web is a premiere medium to showcase the new forms of storytelling resulting from the continuing convergence of new technology and artistic expression,” commented John Cooper, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival. “We are always searching for new ways to exhibit cutting-edge work to broader audiences, and we also strive to achieve the freedom to present original content unencumbered by traditional methods of distribution. New programming on the site provides visitors with a window into the Sundance Institute’s programs, including the Festival in Park City. Film-lovers from around the world can experience the energy and sense of discovery that are major part of Sundance.”