Park City’s independent artistic spirit isn’t limited strictly to film. Our town is also home to the Park City Film Music Festival (PCFMF), the first film festival in the United States to recognize and honor the contribution of music in the movies. In addition to screening films in which music plays a key role, the PCFMF is also a showcase for composers, singer-songwriters, musical groups, and other film score professionals. Music- and film-related seminars by noted producers, performers, and composers are a big part of the festival, along with a film music competition for both independent and studio-backed films.

As an example of the talent that has graced the stages of the PCFMF in years past, last year’s educational highlight was a film-music seminar with film composer and arranger Hummie Mann (A Few Good Men and Robin Hood: Men in Tights). The festival also honored Conrad Pope with the 2012 Distinguished Artist Award for his musical contribution to films such as the Oscar-nominated My Week with Marilyn.

Initiated ten years ago by local musician and filmmaker Leslie Harlow, the PCFMF has grown from screening just 33 films in its first year to showing 200 films each year since 2009. With theater venues in both the Egyptian Theatre on Main Street and the Prospector Lodge and Convention Center on Sidewinder Drive, attending the PCFMF is easy no matter what part of town you’re in.

Films screened are not yet rated. However, many are family-friendly and focus on a wide range of topics, including documentaries on the importance of music education and feature films that utilize music to advance the story.

The PCFMF runs about two weeks, from late May through early June, so mark your spring calendar now in advance. To see this year’s confirmed event dates and the exciting lineup of films, speakers, guest artists, and honorees, visit parkcityfilmmusicfestival.com.