'U23D' has premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, before official release in select cities from next Wednesday, January 23. Release in the UK and Ireland comes in February.

Everyone is now arriving in Sundance ready for the world premiere of'U23D' and today the audio and visual tech teams were on site at the Eccles Theater to test the systems.

In the house were 'U23D' Producer and Executive Audio Producer, John Modell as well as U2's long-time sound team, Carl Glanville and Robbie Adams, Audio Director, Joe O'Herlihy, VFX Supervisor, Dave Franks, Dolby's Technical Director Russell Allen, Production Manager Jenny Sireci, and Supervising Producer, Ted Kenney.

Why such a big crew for the premiere of a film ?

'We brought all the guys who have worked with the band a long time and Clair Bros who brought a customized sound system to the theater.' explained John Modell. ' We also worked with Dolby who delivered their newest 3D system, which is amazing looking.'

It is, he added, 'the most high tech film screening that's ever been done in history.'

Shot during U2's visit to South America on the Vertigo Tour, the film is directed by Catherine Owens, with additional direction from Mark Pellington. Owens, longtime collaborator with U2 on live-show visuals, says 'this was the ultimate challenge in presenting U2'. The results, she predicts, will startle audiences.

'There is no comparison with a traditional concert film seen in 2D. One minute you are on stage with the band and the next you are at the back of the stadium. 'The best way I can describe it for the viewer,' she adds, 'Is that it's like being on the wings of a bird flying around the concert stadium - it's really something else.'

As the web is not yet in 3D, our clips have one dimension less - that's plain old 2D.

Clip 1

Clip 2

The 3D shoot took place over seven shows in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina in February last year and the film is being produced by 3ality Digital in Los Angeles, edited by Olivier Wicki with music produced by Carl Glanville, who has a long list of U2 production credits. Director of 3D photography was Peter Anderson and the Director of photography was Tom Krueger.

The official release date of the film in select cities is Wednesday, January 23, 2008. "U2 3D," a 3ality Digital Production, will be released worldwide by National Geographic Entertainment. It will only open in 3D digital and IMAX 3D theaters. A wider release of the film is slated for February 15, 2008. For more information about "U2 3D" and to find a theater near you, visit the official website here