After three decades in Sundance's shadow, the Slamdance Film Festival debuts this week in Los Angeles, spotlighting L.A. films and better access for fans and filmmakers

Originally created by filmmakers rejected by Sundance, Slamdance has become a community of its own and is about to kick off its first local edition at several L.A. venues.

Slamdance ended up being the first domino to fall, relocating to Los Angeles and moving to a February calendar spot. This year’s festival will be the first in its new L.A. home and the beginning of an era where Slamdance can have the spotlight to itself — and potentially become the dominant film festival in a city that has never quite been able to call a major one its own,