The Sundance Institute has announced the latest extension of the world-renowned brand and will stage NEXT WEEKEND in Los Angeles from Aug 8-11.

The event is styled officially as an extension of the Sundance Film Festival’s NEXT section and will feature four days of screenings, parties and artist programmes at Sundance Sunset Cinema in West Hollywood, expanding to other venues on the final day.

NEXT WEEKEND organisers will reveal the programme in the summer, when tickets will go on sale.

Kicking off on Aug 8 with an outdoor screening at Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, the programme includes eight yet-to-be-released films that have either screened in the festival’s NEXT programme, screened elsewhere or are new. Cast and crew will be invited to discuss their work.

The initiative will also feature a panel analysing how such films get made as well as the annual ShortsLab: Los Angeles half-day workshop.

Screening partners include American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Cinefamily, Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Museum Of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and the UCLA School Of Theater, Film and Television

“The best part of independent film-making is the freedom to tell your stories your own way, to take risks and not be beholden to convention of any kind,” said Sundance Institute founder and president Robert Redford. “At the core of NEXT WEEKEND are artists that are taking risks and pushing boundaries. As such, it’s fitting that Sundance Cinemas will be the home for this festival and these films.”

“The Next section at our Festival in Utah, built under the leadership of festival director John Cooper and director of programming Trevor Groth, showcases films that marry form and content in a way that pushes boundaries and offers fresh perspectives on storytelling,” said Institute executive director Keri Putnam [pictured].

“We look forward to celebrating the energy of this work and these artists and to sharing it with a larger community in collaboration with like-minded cultural institutions.”

The second annual Sundance London event at the O2 Arena is scheduled to take place from Apr 25-28.