JJ Gerber, who grew up in Park City, will open the inaugural Park City Film Festival on Oct. 23 with a screening of his documentary "The Life We Leave" at the Jim Santy Auditorium.

The three-day festival runs Oct. 23-25 and features 10 independent films and four panel discussions, KPCW reported. It arrives less than a year after the Sundance Film Festival held its final Park City edition before moving to Boulder, Colorado.

Gerber, an Emmy-nominated producer with more than 15 years in film, is making his directorial debut. His documentary follows a Washington man who builds the first large-scale terramation, or human composting, facility. The film premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW), where it became an audience favorite, according to the Park Record.

All screenings take place at the Jim Santy Auditorium at the Park City Library, 1255 Park Ave. The auditorium served as a Sundance venue for more than 30 years. The festival is organized by Park City Film, a nonprofit established in 1995 by the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County.

Four panel discussions will be held at the Distrikt F photography studio off Iron Horse Drive. An Oct. 24 panel tied to Gerber's film will focus on death, grief, and how people care for each other. Other panels cover how filmmakers choose their stories, the role of criticism in art, and representation in filmmaking, including transgender voices.

Tickets are required for panels.

Nine of the 10 titles have been announced. The documentaries include "Adam's Apple" by Amy Jenkins, which follows a transgender teen and his mother through two decades of footage, and "The Last Critic" by Matty Wishnow, a profile of rock critic Robert Christgau. "Teeth to the Wind" by Ben Knight and Drew Smith and "The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony" by Habiba Nosheen round out the documentary slate.

Narrative features include "Brian" by Will Ropp, "Frank & Louis" by Petra Volpe, "Next Life" by Drake Doremus and "Zetjune" by Alex Camilleri.

Tickets and passes are on sale on the Park City Film website.

Upcoming community events:

  • Park City Film Festival: Oct. 23-25, Jim Santy Auditorium, 1255 Park Ave. Panels at Distrikt F, Iron Horse Drive.
  • Park City Snow Globe Art Stroll: Submissions due Oct. 2.
  • Girl Winter ski film tour: Nov. 19 in Park City.