[Updated Dec 08!] In the last few years, the most common complaints about America's most famous film festival run along the line that it's, well, way too famous, overrun with Hollywood stars, journalists, PR armies and studio-backed product posing as "indie". The frustration led to the founding of an alternative-to-the-alternative festival, Slamdance, and a couple of alternative-to-the-alternative-to-the-alternative festivals have sprung up since.

But for all the bitching, a quick scan of the films ultimately honored speak very well indeed for the integrity of the festival that, contrary to popular myth, Robert Redford did not actually found. The Utah/United States Film Festival was founded in 1978, took place in Salt Lake City, moved to Park City in 1981, and in 1985, Redford's Sundance Institute took over administration. Which is where our chronicle of the winners begins. As DVD versions of the most recent winners become available, we'll let you know right here.