I have news! I have news! I have movie, movie, movie news!

Have I mentioned I have news? Yes indeed, I do. Austenland the movie is an official selection of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Yeeha! Yippee! Callooh Callay!

For those of you who aren't sure what this means, it's a BIG FREAKIN' DEAL. Sundance is widely considered the largest and most prestigious film festival in the United States and a top four fest worldwide (alongside Cannes, Toronto, and Venice). Besides being a huge honor, it's a chance to showcase our film in an incredible venue full of incredible people. Many films discovered at Sundance have gone on to receive wide theatrical distribution, such as Napoleon Dynamite, The Usual Suspects, The Blair Witch Project, Precious, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Little Miss Sunshine. Huge congrats to director Jerusha Hess and the outstanding cast and crew who worked so hard and are exquisitely talented to boot. I just wanna hug 'em all, the unbearable cuties.

Now I'm anticipating your follow-up question: "But how can I see it?"

Good question! You are so smart. If you're able to attend Sundance, go! Sundance takes place in Utah at the end of January and will be chock full of outrageously great filmage. This here is the registration page for the festival that explains how to get tickets. (P.S. I can't get you tickets.)

"What if I want to see it in my local theater?"

I very much hope Austenland will be in theaters worldwide, but I have no news on that front. Rest assured as soon as such news exists, and other lovely bits such as theatrical trailers and whatnot, I will crow loudly about it here, on twitter and facebook.

In the meantime,if you haven't read the book, hey, what perfect timing. You can buy it from your local bookstore (find yours here) or from mine, The King's English. Or Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other fine retailers. Or go to your local library. If they don't have a copy, most libraries are happy to have patrons request desired books. And did you know there's a companion book out in paperback, Midnight in Austenland? [end shameless self promotion]

Hey, did I also mention: Sundance, baby! Yeeha! Yippee! Callooh Callay! And of course, Tallyho!

Comments

[Samantha Chaffin]

OH MY FREAKING GOSH. I actually shrieked with joy when I read that last sentence of the first paragraph. I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! :D That is totally insane, and now I am off to finish Midnight in Austenland.

[Amy]

This is fantastic news!! I usually try to avoid Sundance but I'm going to try and get tickets.

[Janelle]

So awesome! If I weren't states away, I'd find a sitter and be there. But as it is, I will just have to sit with bated breath for the theatrical debut. Congratulations!

[Dena]

Congrats! That is wonderful news!

[Alysa (Ruby Diamond)]

Yay! How wonderful! Totally going to try to get to Sundance... (we'll see about that).

[Jenni Elyse]

Yay! That's awesome! I hope it gets picked up by someone from Sundance so it can be shown in theaters!

[Jessica]

Omgomgomgomgomg I've never been so happy to live in Salt Lake. Fingers crossed they show it at the Broadway downtown so I can skip the trip to Park City! Totes gonna be there either way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Carlie]

Wow! I actually saw the Austenland/Sundance news mentioned in an article on Entertainment Weekly's website, so I came right over here to check it out! I've never been to Sundance - what a perfect excuse to brave it!!!
Congrats, Shannon!

[Susan Kaye]

Congratulations!

[lotzofunmarymomof4]

Congratulations!!!! Can't wait to see it! (I'll find a way. :)

[lotzofunmarymomof4]

PS - If you COULD get tickets... might be a fun give away... if the person could get their own way to the theater... just a thought.

[Julia]

Ooh...yay...

[Ashley R.]

Oh, this is so exciting! I will have to try and get tickets to Sundance! Sounds like a blast. :)

[Heather Muir]

I am so excited! I registered as a local for tickets today! So excited to get the chance to see this. Might have to be a freaking awesome girls night! BEST NEWS EVER!

[Claire Wilson]

...I think I might have just died about eight times over. And never in my whole entire life have I been gladder to live in Salt Lke City. Never never ever. This is the best thing I have heard all month!!!

[Robin Weeks (@Robin_Weeks)]

So cool! Congrats! I'll watch for pictures of you hanging with A-listers in Park City. :)

[Kara]

I'm so so excited I'm reposting this on my Facebook. If you need a hairstylist for the red carpet I'm there. Plus for sure going to the movie. I LOVE Sundance.

[anniecardi]

Yay yay yay! Very much hope this is a sign that soon Austenland will be in my local movie theater.

[Kristie]

Oh! Shannon! I am so thrilled! I have already signed up to get tickets! It will be my little Christmas wish that I win the pick to get tickets!

[Sarah J.]

Hooray!!! So excited!

[Alexa]

Congratulations, how wonderful!

[Claire]

And the book is going to be published in France in 2013 ! We are so happy about that ! Will you come to see us ???

[katie]

Wow, wow, WOW!!! Congratulations, such exciting news! Oh please let it get picked up super fast and out in theaters right away, I'm so excited to see it!

[Connie Onnie]

Got so excited yesterday I forgot to comment, but HIP HIP HORRAY!!!!

[Bex]

So excited for you! That is enormously huge. Congrats.

[Bonnie @ A Backwards Story]

Congratulations, Shannon! That's great news! I hope AUSTENLAND is one of the critical darlings to come out of Sundance! <3

[Laura]

Congrats! Very happy for you!

[Jeanna]

Makes me sad I don't live in SLC anymore. Sad, sad days for me. This may be an obvious question, but what about just being able to rent it or buy it on DVD? I'd love the big screen, but I'll settle for getting to see it any way I can.

[Maren]

Aaahhhhh!!!!

[Rachelle]

I'm so excited! I hope it comes out everywhere so I can see it too!

[Malinda Crow]

Yay!!! That is awesome news! I might just get tickets to see it at Sundance!

[Biel]

Yay!

[Crystl]

How do I get these tickets you have? I live on the Wasatch front and would love to go!

[Miss Erin]

This is HUGE. Massive. I'm so full of happiness for you!

[Jungju]

hi. this has absolutely nothing to do w/ the post, but, congratulation!
so, at my school, we have to come in dressed like our favorite author,
and, like, you know talk about your books and stuff... any way, so i have some questions
for you can you please answer them? how can i contact you if i can? email? snail mail?
(i live in pennsylvania, so i don't know how long it would take to reach you)
please respond. thank you!!!
:D
:0 i can't believe i found a site about yourself written by you.

[Jungju]

please help me!
:(
:d
'<
'<
(that was supposed to b tears

[Helen @ticketsnow]

These film festivals are important events in the calendars of people who regularly attend cinemas or who simply love to watch a good movie. The fact that promising and renowned directors are awarded for their productions and film stars are acknowledged for the role they played in their respective films makes the movie scene more interesting. I had never heard of Sundance before reading your blog entry but have heard of Venice and Cannes before in the news.

[Graham - Shot Stop]

Hi Shannon, Hope you are well? Just been told the news, good luck at Sundance, hope film is well received!

Graham, the coffee van man on Austinland
SHOT STOP craft services

[Graham - Shot Stop]

Hi Shannon, Hope you are well? Just been told the news, good luck at Sundance, hope film is well received!

Graham, the coffee van man on Austinland
SHOT STOP craft services

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