MUMBAI: Sundance Institute has added Hamlet 2 to the films screening at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in the out-of-competition Premieres section. Hamlet 2 will have its world premiere on 21 January, with subsequent screenings scheduled for 24 and 25 January.

The 2008 Sundance Film Festival runs 17 – 27 January, 2008 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah.

“It is not unusual for us to add films to our lineup – especially very funny films which we know will have immense appeal,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director, Sundance Film Festival. “Hamlet 2 fits the bill perfectly. In addition to being a clever comedy, the film features a number of actors who are part of the extended Sundance family. It’s fitting to have them here.”

Hamlet 2 is directed by Andrew Fleming. In this rambunctious comedy, a high school drama teacher injects love and passion for theatre into his students by creating a musical sequel to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The cast comprises Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Shue, Amy Poehler, David Arquette, Melonie Diaz.

For the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, 122 feature-length films were selected including 88 world premieres, 14 North American premieres and 12 US premieres representing 25 countries with 55 first-time filmmakers, including 23 in the non-competition categories. These films were selected from 3,624 feature film submissions composed of 2,021 US and 1,603 international feature-length films. These numbers represent an increase from last year when 1,852 US and 1,435 international feature-length films were considered.