It’s that time of year again. January means making preparations for your favorite celeb-sighting, movie-watching, cold-bearing parade: The Sundance Film Festival.

Locals-only passes and ticket packages sold out in September(!) and registration for individual ticket sales closed in December for the festival itself, held January 17 through 27. But there is still a chance for local ladies (and gents) to get their share of Sundance cinema, and all it requires is a stop by the ticket office, or some waiting-in-line, as per usual.

Best of Fest offers up our favorite way to get the lowdown on hot cinema, all in one apres-Festival display of award-winning shows. Stop by a Sundance Box Office this Saturday or Sunday to get tickets.

You’ll need: a current Utah driver’s license, or a current out-of-state driver’s license coupled with a bill for proof-of-residency.

{Best of Fest Ticket Sales}

January 12 and 13 (except Ogden)
Sundance Box Offices
Salt Lake: Trolley Square; 552 S. 602 East; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on 12th, noon – 5 p.m. on 13th
Park City: Gatway Center, 136 Hever Ave.; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on 12th, noon – 5 p.m. on 13th
Sundance Resort: North Fork Provo Canyon; 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on 12th, noon – 5 p.m. on 13th
Ogden: 2415 Washington Blvd.; noon – 5:30 on 12th, closed on 13th

{Best of Fest Dates and Times}

Salt Lake: Monday January 28; Rose Wagner Center; 3:30, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Park City: Monday January 28; Eccles Theatre; 6 and 9 p.m.
Sundance Resort: Monday January 28; Sundance Screening Room; 6 and 9 p.m.
Ogden: Tuesday, Januar 29; Peery’s Egyptian Theatre; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

More box office information for locals here.
Other ticket opportunities here and here.
2008 Film List, Film Guide and calendar here.

The dates are in. And so are the lists of behind-the-scenes, movie-watching and celeb-spotting opportunities.

Check out the job positions here.

Or begin the volunteer application here.

As long as we’ve covered free live music (and music you’ll want to pay for, too) we thought it best to spread the word about free summer cinema, while we’re at it.

Pack up your favorite blanket and your tub of red vines to share, and head to the Gallivan Center to catch any of these artsy-ish films, together called “a mix of work that higlights the diversity, creativity and story-telling power of film.”

The fest starts Monday at approximately 9 p.m. with “Breaking Away.”

Here’s the rest of the lineup:

July 13: “The Truman Show”

July 23: “Kinky Boots”

July 30: “Never Cry Wolf”

August 6: “Stop Making Sense”

August 13: “Ocean’s Eleven” (1960 version, minus Mr. Pitt)

August 20: “Dr. Strangelove”

{Outdoor Fest Flicks:}

Sundance Outdoor Film Festival
The Gallivan Center
239 S. Main St.
Various dates (see above), 9 p.m.

Good films, cool bands, of-the-minute fashion and beautiful people? Who can resist the glamorous sensory overload that is the Sundance Film Festival?

If you’re like us, you’re a local that, despite the draw(s), has a hard time making the trek to Park City from Jan. 18 til Jan. 28. It’s not that you shy away from traffic and crowded restaurants–it’s that you find it nearly impossible to get your fingers on Sundance tickets, and you’re not the type to head all the way up there to strut around in your best garb only to catch a glimpse of Kevin Spacey’s too-polished shoe just before he shuts the door to his limo.

Take heart, young film aficionado. There’s still a chance to don your sunglasses and that new fur-lined bomber hat. True, the deadline has already passed to get tickets (registration opportunities expired on Dec. 29) but we suggest that you opt for Best Of Fest instead: when Sundance thanks locals for their “support” with free tickets to see award-winning films.

Though you’re not as likely to see a celeb, you’re twice as likely to get a good seat without having to wait in line for hours to see a show that may or may not be totally lame.

Head on over to a Sundance box office on January 13 or 14 with a Utah drivers license and a proof-of-residency power bill to get tickets–they’ll give away two per person. Any remaining tickets will be distributed day-of-show at theater locations.

Best Of Fest show dates are January 29 and 30 with films starting at either 6 or 6:30 p.m. or 9 or 9:30 p.m. at various locations. Watch for updates here.

Box office locations:

Park City: 136 Heber Ave.

Salt Lake City: Trolley Square (main floor, east side), 552 S. 602 East

Sundance: North Fork, Provo Canyon

Ogden: 2415 Washigton Blvd.

See the list of 2007 films here.