For the sake of uniforimity (and my own sanity), I always cite a film using its first public (non-festival) screening. If it opens on 12/31/04 in one NYC theater, then it's a 2004 release. Yeah, the "platform" technique is an annoying one used solely to sate the award-giving bodies, but hey...
Here are some reviews from Sundance flicks: After Innocence The Aristocrats Grizzly Man MirrorMask Pretty Persuasion Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story Twist of Faith Zombie Honeymoon Hope these films fit the mold of this thread. I didn't play in this sandbox last year. ;)