The Latest
In Memoriam: Diane Weyermann (1955–2021)
A singular force within the documentary film world with a global reach, Diane Weyermann passed away at age 66 after battling cancer. Over the course of her 30-year career as a funder and an executive, her work elevated the documentary form and expanded its cultural impact.
The 2022 Sundance Film Festival’s Visual Identity Takes Cues from the Convergence of Light and Life
Like planets orbiting a star, moths drawn to a flame, or film lovers gravitating to a screen, life gathers around light. The 2022 Sundance Film Festival takes inspiration from our solar system’s biggest, most radiant source of light and life: the sun. We’re graphically representing our closest star as a point of, and inspiration for, convergence. Our Festival will shine the brightest of lights on independent artists and their powerful, culture-shifting work.
A Celebration of Indigenous Cinema on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
In the spirit of celebrating Indigenous peoples and their accomplishments on Indigenous Peoples’ Day — and every day — we want to highlight some of those voices who have had their works released this year.
Perspectives: Aurora Guerrero and Yolanda Cruz Are Redefining Notions of Latinidad One Film at a Time
Filmmakers Yolanda Cruz and Aurora Guerrero By Moi Santos The Sundance Institute Indigenous Program wishes to recognize Latinx Heritage Month and our unapologetically creative and
These Sundance Selections Scared Audiences the Most, Say Our Programmers
By Vanessa Zimmer Sundance Film Festival programming manager Ana Souza has a special place in her heart for the audiences who brave the Midnight screenings
14 Sundance-Supported Stories That Explore the Latinx Experience in the United States
The Sundance Film Festival has stood by the work of these often silenced voices. Currently, the programming team is blessed to include three Latinas from different countries, experiences but Shari Frilot’s 17 years of work as a fearless champion of this community must be noted and celebrated. Cheers to all the filmmakers, curators, and supporters of Latinx work. Below, see our list of films and where you can stream them today.
Release Rundown: What to Watch in October, from ‘Mayday’ to ‘Passing’
Five 2021 Sundance Film Festival alums released to wide audiences in October attest to the variety of independent cinema created in our times. A fantasy, a thriller, a fantasy thriller, a Harlem Renaissance–set period film, and a drama imagined in the distant aftermath of a mass shooting are among the films opening in theaters and/or on streaming services this month.
Sundance Institute Names Joana Vicente as Its Next CEO
LOS ANGELES — The Sundance Institute Board of Trustees announced today that it has named longtime filmmaker and executive Joana Vicente as its next CEO. She joins the renowned media and arts nonprofit at a time of extraordinary growth and impact, in which it is uniquely positioned as a leading global advocate for independent artists, diversity in media, freedom of expression, and the critical role of arts in shaping society. Vicente will be responsible for setting strategies for the Institute that embrace the evolving future of storytelling and build on the Institute’s record of accomplishment in supporting visionary artists with distinct voices in film, theater, film composing, episodic storytelling, and emerging media.
The Sundance Institute Announces Joana Vicente as CEO
Dear Sundance community,
As you are all aware, the Sundance Institute’s valued friend and leader Keri Putnam stepped down as CEO earlier this year after a decade of leading the Institute. Since that day, the Board Search Committee, along with the expert team at leading search firm Spencer Stuart, has undertaken a comprehensive search to find Keri’s successor — someone who is able to maintain our commitment to discovering and developing independent artists, while being able to adapt to the changing world, providing space for storytellers to create and thrive in ways that open our eyes to new worlds, perspectives, and opportunities. We met with an exceptional group of candidates and were inspired and excited by the strength and diversity of their skills, passion, and expertise.
Merata Mita Fellow Marja Bål Nango on the Legacy of Sámi Representation On-Screen
For Indigenous artists, a component of the creative process is to commune with our ancestors as well as with descendants that are yet to come. Merata Mita understood this when she endeavored to realize her film, 1988’s Mauri. In seeing her work through, she became the first Indigenous woman — and the first Māori woman — to solely write and direct a dramatic feature film.
2022 Sundance Film Festival: Satellite Screens, Online Platform, Health Safety, & Ticketing Details Revealed
Park City, UT – The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today several key aspects of how their 2022 Sundance Film Festival will take place in person and online January 20-30, 2022, including sharing this year’s Satellite Screen partners and locations, ticket package details and on-sale dates, and elaborating upon earlier health and safety guidelines.
“Our programming team, led by the fearless Kim Yutani, is deep into screening the mountain of submissions we have already received this year,” said Festival Director Tabitha Jackson, “As our press and industry offices open in preparation for the next edition of our festival we are excited to share what details we can today, anticipate sharing more as we know more, and can’t wait to meet audiences wherever they are, including in Utah, in January.”
PLATFORM NOW LIVEThe Festival platform is now live and gives a first glimpse at the 2022 look and feel, an expression of the concept of convergence that powers the Festival experience this year.
Sundance Institute Vanguard Award Celebration to Honor Siân Heder and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
Los Angeles, CAs — The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today that it will present the 2021 Vanguard Award to filmmaker Siân Heder for her work on her feature film CODA, and filmmaker Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson for his work in documentary filmmaking on his directorial debut Summer Of Soul (…
A Fond Farewell from Bird Runningwater, Reflecting on 20 Years at the Sundance Institute
“This home has come to an end; it’s time to move to the next home.” — Mescalero Apache ceremonial song
During my 20 years at the Sundance Institute, I’ve tried to imbue my work with inflections of my own Cheyenne and Mescalero Apache cultures. I saw the work of supporting Indigenous artists as a ceremony of transitioning storytellers into their full potential, much like my Mescalero community does when we ritually sing our young women into womanhood and into our matriarchy.
Straight Out of Sundance: America Ferrera on Her Big-Screen Debut in ‘Real Women Have Curves’
Earlier this year, the Sundance Institute marked its 40th anniversary, and to commemorate the occasion, we caught up with dozens of Institute alumni to learn more about how they brought some of their very first projects from development to debut.
Eight Nonfiction Films Combine Art, Science, Storytelling
Park City, UT — The nonprofit Sundance Institute and Sandbox Films today announced the 12 filmmakers and eight projects selected as the next cohort for support by the Sundance Institute | Sandbox Fund. The fund aims to elevate the voices of independent artists working at the intersection of science and nonfiction storytelling as they produce and promote work and discourse that highlights the overlap of science and art.The eight selected project teams will receive unrestricted and non-recoupable grants totaling $255,000.