Utah is in the middle of playing host to the stars at the Sundance Film Festival—and some U. Utah students are getting involved.

The arrival of Sundance brings celebrities, films, tourists and traffic to Utah, but the festival also brings the state more than $62 million in revenue and 1,500 jobs, according to a study conducted by the U.

Park City native Miley Feltman, studying exercise and sport science at the U, says that she actively participates in Sundance every year. This year, she went to see “The Woods,” an independent film portraying students who set out to live in the woods as a revolt against technology.

“I thought the movie was OK,” Feltman said. “It was entertaining, but bizarre.”

Although she says that she enjoys going to see the films, she’s more interested in the Hollywood culture the festival brings to Utah. As an annual attendee, she has gotten the chance to meet several celebrities, including Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell and Charlie Sheen, she said.

“I like how much money it brings into our economy,” she said. “I also like how it has put Park City on the map and brought some really cool people in.”

Although tickets are sometimes difficult to find and prices can be steep, Feltman recommends that students check out Sundance to enjoy a unique opportunity.

“Sundance gives people interested in film or the entertainment industry an opportunity to get their foot in the door by getting involved with various Sundance events,” she said.

Some students stick to watching films and scouting celebrities, but others take the initiative to produce a performance of their own.

The Utah Flash Mob, which included several U students, performed in the streets of downtown Park City on Saturday afternoon.

“We wanted to showcase Utah’s talent,” said Tessie Pham, a junior in biology and chemistry. “Sundance exports talent from places like New York and California, and we wanted to show that we have talent, too.”

The group of about 90 people rehearsed their dance for two to three weeks, she said. As no one—besides the performers—was aware that the event was happening, it took most people by pleasant surprise. Many media photographers and videographers who were present turned their attention to the dance happening outside of Reyes Adobe Restaurant on Main Street.

“That’s why we picked Sundance—for the media coverage,” Pham said.