Ambitious short film projects highlight 23rd edition of Spy Hop’s PitchNic program, set for Nov. 6 premiere

PitchNic, one of Spy Hop Productions’ most exciting programs, returns for its 23rd edition this year and this year’s class of young Utah filmmakers is looking to build on a legacy where more than 95% of films that have been produced in the program have gone on to be screened at and win awards at … Read more

Utah Film Center set to open 22nd Utah Queer Film Festival, with six feature-length documentaries, international slate of 40 short films

EDITOR’S NOTE: For a detailed rundown of the 2025 slate for the Utah Queer Film Festival, see this link. At a hostile, polarizing time like now, many people understandably demur from being unapologetic about expressing their authentic selves. And, with that in mind, the 22nd edition of the Utah Film Center’s Utah Queer Film Festival … Read more

A detailed rundown of the 2025 slate of the Utah Film Center’s Utah Queer Film Festival

EDITOR’S NOTE: For the curtain raiser of the 2025 Utah Queer Film Festival, see this link. The theme of fearless queerness permeates the slate of six feature-length documentaries and 40 short films in this year’s Utah Queer Film Festival slate. In some instances, the theme is fully manifested, while in others, it starts from a … Read more

Award-winning Utah indie film Mouse by Kenny Riches set to expand its festival circuit presence

A first-generation American, Denny is hustling to grab the brass ring on the carousel of the American Dream. In 2007, lonely and dissatisfied with the dead end of lower income working life, he steals and resells bicycles and occasionally breaks into cars. While Denny is a petty thief, he also is a loving and faithful … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2025 Feature Profile: 22nd Fear No Film set with 78 short films representing 15 countries

EDITOR’S NOTE: For preview coverage of the 49th Utah Arts Festival, which runs June 19-22, The Utah Review is presenting individual or group profiles of artists, performers, entertainers and some newcomers to the event. Visitors will also see the first significant change of the last 15 years in the festival map. There are several new … Read more

Utah Arts Festival 2025 Feature Profile: 19 Utah films grace the 22nd edition of Fear No Film

EDITOR’S NOTE: For preview coverage of the 49th Utah Arts Festival, which runs June 19-22, The Utah Review is presenting individual or group profiles of artists, performers, entertainers and some newcomers to the event. Visitors will also see the first significant change of the last 15 years in the festival map. There are several new … Read more

Sundance 2025: Outstanding acting, finely understated screenplay, sensitive directing make Omaha, filmed in Utah, a beautiful screening experience

The character of the father in Omaha, a drama set during the Great Recession of 2008, is much like many during that time who struggled against numerous obstacles, swallowed their pride, and made great sacrifices for their children. For those grieving after a family tragedy, when the recession’s devastating economic storm hit with little or … Read more

Behind the scenes: Spy Hop’s award-winning PitchNic program set for Nov. 7 premiere of 22nd edition of four student produced films

PitchNic, one of Spy Hop Productions’ most exciting programs, returns for its 22nd edition this year and this year’s class of young Utah filmmakers is looking to build on a legacy where more than 95% of films that have been produced in the program have gone on to be screened at and win awards at … Read more

Utah Film Center set to open 21st Utah Queer Film Festival with new name, impressively diverse film slate, local performers, Matthew Shepard memorial concert highlighting four world premieres by Utah-based composers

EDITOR’S NOTE: This three-article package highlights the Utah Film Center’s Utah Queer Film Festival, which marks its 21st year. The second feature is a feature about the Life After Laramie concert of world premieres and the third feature is a detailed rundown of the 2024 slate of feature and short films. Entering its third decade, … Read more

A detailed rundown of the slate of films for the 2024 Utah Queer Film Festival of the Utah Film Center

The Utah Review has screened many of the films on this year’s slate for the Utah Film Center’s Utah Queer Film Festival. The following is a detailed run down of the entire slate of feature-length and short films. FEATURE FILMS Documentaries  The ABCs of Book Banning 2023/ USA/ Documentary (Sheila Nevins) While this MTV Documentary … Read more