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While Sundancing with the Stars gets most of the attention from Jan. 17-27, there are other "dances" - with considerably fewer stars - going on at the same time.

Unlike the Sundance Film Festival, where the search for parking is as difficult as the search for the Lost Ark, these other "dance" festivals give the average person easier access to films that in some cases are much different from anything you'll see at a Sundance screening.

• Slamdance is the original alternative to Sundance, established in 1995. The competition's feature program is reserved for first-time directors with budgets under $1 million.

Slamdance has hosted writers and directors who have gone on to greater success. Christopher Nolan, who later directed "Batman Begins," screened his first film, "Following," at Slamdance. Jared Hess, who created "Napoleon Dynamite," screened a short there in 2003. In 2005, Slamdance screened "Mad Hot Ballroom," which was quickly bought by Paramount Pictures and screened across the country the same year.

This year, there are 29 feature-length films (chosen from more than 1,200 submissions), including documentaries. There are also screenings of shorts, animation, panels and six "fireside chats" with independent filmmakers and producers.

The opening night film is "Real Time," written and directed by Randall Cole and starring Randy Quaid. The movie is billed as a "comedic drama about a compulsive gambler who is given one hour to live by the hitman hired to kill him."

All of the films are listed at slamdance.com, and tickets can be purchased on the Web site. All films are screened at the Treasure Mountain Inn, 255 Main St., Park City.

One significant change this year is that the 2008 Slamdance Games Festival, for aspiring video-game developers, will not be held during Slamdance, as in prior years. Slamdance's Web site says: "With the growth of independent games, and the issues facing the medium, Slamdance has decided to separate the Games Festival from the Film Festival, while still focusing on bringing independent artists together. The 2008 Games Festival will be held spring/summer of 2008 in Los Angeles, California."

• X-Dance, Jan. 19-23: This showcase for action-sport films has grown so much, it is moving to Salt Lake City. There are 38 features scheduled, in addition to six short films. Screenings are Saturday through Tuesday between noon and 10 p.m. at Off-Broadway Theatre, 272 S. Main St. Tickets are $5 per screening, $10 for a day pass, and $30 for a festival pass.

Celebrity athletes scheduled to appear include motocross pioneer Travis Pastrana, snowboarder Tara Dakides, Australian surf tribe the Bra Boys, extreme skiers Scot Schmidt and Jeremy Nobis, and climber and photographer Jimmy Chin.

There are several premieres, including the North American premiere of "Bra Boys," and world premieres of "Against the Grain," "199 Lives" and "Deep Winter." The latter was shot primarily in Utah.

Festival director Brian Wimmer said he is most excited about the move to Salt Lake City and the introduction of an Adventure Sport category, which includes films about mountaineering, rock climbing, kayaking, base jumping, ski flying and wind surfing.

More information is at http://www.x-dance.com" Target="_BLANK">http://www.x-dance.com.

• Tromadance, Jan. 18-25: Run by people who think even Slamdance is too commercial, the festival doesn't charge filmmakers to submit films and admission to all screenings, panels, parties and events is free on a first-come first-served basis.

"It's truly a festival for the people, by the people," said Jonathan Lees, program director.

More than 600 films were submitted, Lees said, and 52 will be screened, most of them shorts.

There are several venues, one of them the auditorium of the Salt Lake City Library.

More information is at tromadance.com.

• Schmoozedance, Jan. 18: Called "Park City's only film festival with Jewish flair" by its promoters, this one-day festival is presented by Temple Har Shalom, 1922 Prospector Ave., Park City. The films, which have yet to be announced, will be shown immediately after Shabbat services at the temple (6:30 p.m.) on Jan. 18. The festival is open to the public and free.

• Park City Film Music Festival, Jan. 17-Jan. 27: This event recognizes the contributions of composers and their music for film. Organizers said this year, about 10 of the films will be from Utah filmmakers.

Tickets and screening information is at http://www.parkcityfilmmusicfestival.com" Target="_BLANK">http://www.parkcityfilmmusicfestival.com.

Tickets are $10, half-price for Summit County residents and students, with all-day passes $30.

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DAVID BURGER can be reached at dburger@sltrib.com" Target="_BLANK">dburger@sltrib.com or 801-257-8620. Send comments about this story to livingeditor@sltrib.com" Target="_BLANK">livingeditor@sltrib.com.