Slamdance began in 1995 when a group of filmmakers, whose films had been rejected by Sundance, decided to create their own festival, building a close-knit community of indie filmmakers. The festival’s programming is curated by past Slamdance participants. Notable filmmakers who showcased their early work at Slamdance include Christopher Nolan, Sean Baker, Rian Johnson, Lynn Shelton, Joe and Anthony Russo, and Bong Joon Ho.
The 2025 Slamdance Film Festival made a significant move from Park City, Utah, to Los Angeles, hosting its 31st festival from February 20-26 at Quixote Studios in Hollywood. This transition broadened its presence in the filmmaking community, creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth. As an official sponsor, LUMIX played a key role in the event, leading daily workshops and hands-on camera demos. The festival provided LUMIX with a unique platform to showcase its cutting-edge tools and technology while connecting directly with filmmakers and cinematographers.
Students from Compton High School visited the LUMIX Studio to test out cameras and explore hands-on filmmaking.
LUMIX Daily Workshops: Hands-On Learning for Filmmakers
Throughout the festival, the LUMIX team, along with LUMIX ambassadors Ben Staley and Andrew Roberts, led daily workshops that allowed filmmakers, cinematographers, and attendees to engage with the latest LUMIX gear. The sessions focused on practical applications and hands-on demonstrations of industry-leading technology, including:
GH7 with XLR2 adaptor for 32-bit Float Audio – With documentary filmmakers in mind, this setup showcased how to capture high-fidelity sound with unmatched dynamic range.
"LUMIX and Slamdance are a perfect fit. We both champion independent voices, innovative filmmaking, and a DIY spirit. LUMIX cameras empower filmmakers with high-quality tools that don’t break the bank, and that aligns perfectly with Slamdance’s mission."
Slamdance Festival Director Taylor Miller
Anamorphic Shooting Techniques – Filmmakers experimented with Atlas Orion 2.0x anamorphic lenses, learning how to achieve the cinematic widescreen look with the S5IIX. For Micro Four Thirds, attendees explored run-and-gun handheld anamorphic filmmaking using a 20mm Laowa Nanomorph 1.5x anamorphic lens, demonstrating the creative potential of the GH7.
S5IIX Run-and-Gun Setups – Attendees explored the power of the S5IIX for fast-paced, handheld filmmaking, experiencing its industry-leading stabilization and image quality firsthand.
Another key highlight for attendees was the S9, targeting content creators. With Open Gate recording and frame markers, filmmakers could easily capture high-quality content optimized for multiple aspect ratios, allowing seamless delivery across various platforms.
Each workshop provided attendees to not only handle the cameras but also shoot their own test footage and work with the files in post-production. This hands-on approach gave filmmakers real-world insights into how LUMIX cameras could elevate their storytelling.
In addition to the workshops, LUMIX played a key role in the festival with the LUMIX Theater, a dedicated screening space that seated 400 attendees. This venue showcased a variety of films from emerging voices in independent cinema, creating a space for discussion, inspiration, and creative exchange.
The Move to LA and the LUMIX-Slamdance Connection
Slamdance’s move to Los Angeles was a significant shift that opened up new opportunities for the festival and its community. Festival Director Taylor Miller highlighted the importance of this transition: “Moving to LA was about accessibility—economic and physical. Los Angeles has always needed something like Slamdance, and the overwhelming response has shown that filmmakers want us here.” She added, “We had over 1,000 submissions in just six days, which speaks to the demand for a festival like ours in this city.”
Miller also emphasized the synergy between LUMIX and Slamdance, stating, “LUMIX and Slamdance are a perfect fit. We both champion independent voices, innovative filmmaking, and a DIY spirit. LUMIX cameras empower filmmakers with high-quality tools that don’t break the bank, and that aligns perfectly with Slamdance’s mission.
Slamdance winners gather for a group photo at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles.
With its sponsorship, LUMIX reaffirmed its commitment to empowering filmmakers with innovative tools and technology. The 2025 Slamdance Film Festival was a testament to the thriving spirit of independent filmmaking, and LUMIX was honored to play a role in the event, equipping creators with the gear and knowledge to push their creativity.
For those who attended, the festival was not just about watching films—it was about making them.
For more information on the Slamdance Film Festival, visit https://slamdance.com.
