"Nowhere Boy" » a fictional film from the United Kingdom screening in the Premieres category, which focuses on John Lennon's troubled childhood, and how his relationships with his mother and aunt led him to seek refuge in music and the band that became The Beatles.

"The Runaways" » a biopic of rock pioneer Joan Jett and her first band, also showing in Premieres, has earned a lot of pre-festival buzz. Dakota Fanning is cast as lead vocalist Cherie Currie and "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart portrays Jett.

"ODDSAC" » an American film about the band Animal Collective, playing in the New Frontiers showcase, is described as attaching the "vivid scenery and strange characters to the wonderful melodic wavelengths of the band."

"All My Friends Are Funeral Singers" » also in the New Frontier showcase, written and directed by Tim Rutili of the band Califone. Band members act in this 84-minute film and provide the original soundtrack. The Jan. 26 premiere will include a live performance by Califone playing the score.

Three Sundance shorts with music ties

"Plastic and Glass" / France » In a recycling factory, the machines dance, the workers join in song, and the truck drivers circle as if all part of a factory ballet. (Director and screenwriter: Tessa Joosse)

"Wagah" / Germany » A visual illustration that documents a single evening where 20,000 people dance and sing daily at the only checkpoint between India and Pakistan. (Directors: Supriyo Sen and Najaf Bilgrami)

"Vive la Rose" / Canada » When illness takes the woman he loves, a simple man raises his voice in melancholy song as a last farewell. (Director: Bruce Alcock)

Other festival music events:

A Celebration of Music in Film » Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. at the Sundance House, 638 Park Ave. Open to all credential holders, this event showcases music from composers and performers highlighted in this year's films.

Music Showcase: BMI Snowball » Jan. 27 ay 6 p.m. at the Sundance House. Open to all credential holders, BMI offers performances and refreshments.

Roundtable Discussion: Music and Film, The Creative Process » Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Sundance House. Open to all credential holders and the general public (as space permits). The discussion consider "What goes into creating a successful film score?" and "What makes for an effective director/composer relationship?"

New Frontier performances

Sundance Institute has selected 13 artists from six countries whose works will be presented as part of New Frontier, and a few of the artistic works feature music.

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt » hosts hitRECord.org, described as "part media workshop, part social network, and part art exhibition." Festivalgoers are invited to collaborate by creating, recording and remixing art (video, music, photos, writing, etc.). The short multimedia work will be screened at the end of the festival. Learn more at http://hitrecord.org.

Computational artist Michael Joaquin Grey » creates "objects" out of film. Recently he has been exploring computational cinema and choreography with sound, motion and video. Additional information on Grey can be found at www.citroid.com.

Ragnar Kjartansson's "The End" » Two musicians, Kjartansson and Davio Por Jonsson, present a surround-sound concert in five locations in the Canadian Rockies, creating music from electric and acoustic guitars, banjos, drums, and a grand piano. See a video: http://bit.ly/3gQD4h.