One of the gems of this year's Slamdance festival is "Circus Rosaire," a documentary about a ninth-generation circus family of animal trainers.

Robyn Bliley, left, the filmmaker, told The Salt Lake Tribune that she first met the Rosaire family on her sixth birthday.

"I remember being fascinated and awestruck by their almost telepathic communication they had with their animals," Bliley said.

"Circus Rosaire" screens Thursday at Slamdance, and then it will go to the Santa Barbara Film Festival on Jan. 30, where the weather is similar to Park City this time of year.

"It's a bit crazy here in Park City with all of the people and filmmakers, but I've had a blast and am so grateful," she said. "Slamdance has been an incredible experience ... It has been the perfect venue for 'Circus Rosaire.' The Slamdance Film Festival is a true representation of independent filmmaking."