The Sundance Film Festival is one of the best-known and prestigious events of its kind in the film calendar, with events, screenings and prize-giving being given gloss by plenty of celebrities and successful actors. After Nintendo UK's short-film partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI) last year it's now Nintendo of America's turn to go to the movies, taking the chance to get to know some of the film industry's biggest figures, while showing off some games at the same time.
The main event, for those that want to combine film with gaming, is the Wii U Video Challenge party on 17th January, with three films to be shown that showcase gaming experiences on Wii U and New Super Mario Bros. U. The films were produced by three teams of four enthusiasts picked from a YouTube contest, which you can read about below.
Leading up to this big event, YouTube filmmakers from all over the country were asked to create short films focusing on the unique game play of Wii U and the Wii U GamePad controller. From the pool of talented filmmakers, 12 were selected to participate in the 48-hour Wii U Video Challenge from Jan. 11-13. Forming three teams of four people each, the filmmakers created new films that showcased the fun and exciting game play of Wii U.
The short films made by the three teams will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the Nintendo Lounge on Jan. 17 in front of film industry influencers, Nintendo executives and other VIPs. Films will be voted on by the live audience in attendance.
Once all of the champagne and canapés have disappeared, Nintendo will be opening its Nintendo Lounge to show a number of current and upcoming games on Wii U and 3DS. The lounge will be open to industry executives and celebrities between 18th and 20th January, but will be available to the public on Monday 21st January for a limited time.
Wii U video games featured in the lounge include recent releases like New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land, ZombiU from Ubisoft, SiNG PARTY, as well as the upcoming Rayman Legends from Ubisoft and Wii Fit U, the first instalment in the Wii Fit series on Wii U.
On the Nintendo 3DS XL hand-held system, many different games will be playable. In addition to New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, three not-yet-released games will be joining the all-star Nintendo 3DS lineup. For fans looking forward to anticipated sequels, Brain Age: Concentration Training, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate from KONAMI Digital Entertainment, Inc. will be available to play before they hit retail stores.
The Nintendo Lounge at Sundance is located at 738 Main St., Park City, Utah, 84060, and is open to Park City residents, festival attendees and out of town visitors on Jan. 21 from 1-5 p.m.
So, are any of you in the area and planning to go along to the Sundance Film Festival this year? We'll keep our eyes peeled for the release of the three winning videos, too.
Comments 9
Sweet! I live in Salt Lake City and I don't have school on the 21st so I might have to try and get up there. Nice to see Nintendo in Utah for once.
Now here's a story I can't resist commenting on, because it's a possible marriage of two of my favorite things in life: Nintendo, and actress Parker Posey, AKA "The Queen of Sundance." It wouldn't be Sundance without Parker there, so I know she'll be there. It would be a dream to see Parker playing a game that I've played! I'm going to closely watch Miiverse around that time, and look for Parker lookalike Mii postings.
Wouldn't mind seeing that some of my other favorite ladies, like Anne Hathaway, Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone, and Sarah Paulson got their game on too (though they've already "got game" ).
Oh, and Parker would be awesome doing a Wii U commercial. Sadly, now being in her mid-40s and underemployed as even the best actresses are when older, she could use the work.
@Square-enixFan If only they would bring the Zelda Symphony here too...
Perhaps this will help raise awareness of the Wii U.
Too bad im not in Utah to enjoy this event.
Did you mean champagne? Or is Nintendo running on a budget and serving cheap "champaign" from Illinois?
@jrpacman A spelling error on my part, now fixed
Ugh... Kelis in the photo. Be careful Sundance that she doesn't divorce you in a couple of years and sue for half your wealth and undeserved alimony...
so where can we see the short videos?
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