Lizard Sundance
crowds queuing for the premiere of a film at Lizard Sundance, miles beneath Salt Lake City, Utah
“Yes, we have a Sundance.”
Lizard Sundance is the annual film festival of the non-human community (lizard and otherwise). It is hosted by the 11 Great Lizard Houses, and is widely respected as one of the most successfully communal events for the otherwise bickering Houses. It may or may not have inspired the human Sundance Film Festival, or vice versa.
Origin
In 1973, the House of the Protracted Dewlap founded Lizard Sundance as a place for the lizard community to show lizard films. This was five years before the US/Utah Film Festival began in 1974, and 18 years before that festival changed its name to Sundance Film Festival. Rumor has it, American actor and filmmaker Robert Redford attended Lizard Sundance in the late 70s in disguise, and was thus inspired to rename the festival in Utah. This is unlikely, considering Redford starred in a film titled Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid before that, in 1969.
Redford was directly asked about the rumor in an interview, after the Lizard Apocalypse began and humans became aware of the existence of lizard people. Redford winked and said, “Don’t kiss and tell.” This is his only response on record, and has spawned numerous, hotly debated interpretations.
Notable Films
Lizard Sundance premiered Bloodsport, the film depicting the Human Celebrity Gladiator Games. Other notable premieres include Heaven’s Gators, Call Me By Your Lizard Name, The Importance of Being Ectothermic, Four Sheddings and a Funeral, and A Streetcar Named Ovoviviparous.
Celebrity Attendees
Lizard Sundance is a popular event among the general public and celebrities alike. Vampire Mike is a frequent guest host/presenter, due to his popularity, social grace, and charm. Fungini has performed magic at the festival as has, unfortunately, Reverse Jesus. He somehow managed to turn all the wine onscreen into water during a special showing of sommelier documentary Somm, before he was caught and kicked out of the festival. Lizard psychadelic prog rock band Sweet Summer Gecko has performed multiple times. Robert Redford now attends without a disguise. Former actor and current American cryptid Ray Romano has supposedly been spotted numerous times at the festival. Time traveling self-help author Alexandra the Great is a big financial supporter.
Praying Mantis has been formally invited, but has never attended.
One year The New New York Times and rival The New New New York Times broke out into a food fight at a local restaurant and were not permitted to review the films the following year. Ethan Alden was considered as a desperate, last minute replacement, but plans to rescue him from outer space fell through and he was not able to attend.