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Sundance Institute at Sundown Presented by Acura
Los Angeles summer benefit honoring Boots Riley and his film Sorry to Bother You
DATE Friday, June 8th, 2018
TIME 10:47 am
LOCATION ,
This summer, Sundance Institute once again celebrated the incredible work of our artist community with a blowout fundraiser at downtown LA’s gorgeous Theatre at Ace Hotel. Attendees had the opportunity to witness special guest Rosario Dawson present breakout filmmaker and Sundance family member Boots Riley with the Sundance Institute Vanguard Award presented by Acura, followed by an exclusive advance screening of his electrifying film Sorry to Bother You.
The evening brought together filmmakers, supporters of Sundance Institute, and Los Angeles community members to celebrate Boots Riley and the spirit of authenticity and artistry that his film evokes. Thanks to the generosity of this community, we raised over $185,000, which will help fund grants, mentorships, and other critical resources that will allow the next generation of artists with as exciting new indie voices as Boots to bring their stories to life.
Keep an eye out on our website for more opportunities to engage with Sundance Institute events and become a part of supporting this work! For more information or to connect with one of our team members, please contact events@sundance.org. We hope to see you next summer! Until then, catch highlights from 2018 in our photo gallery.
Thursday, June 14
Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
- 6:00 p.m. Premiere party (includes complimentary food and beverages)
- 7:00 p.m. Doors open for screening ticket holders
- 7:30 p.m. Sundance Institute Vanguard Award presentation to Boots Riley & screening of Sorry to Bother You
- 9:30 p.m After-party
We’re returning to LA for another summer rendezvous. You know, the kind where we bring one of our favorite films from the Sundance Film Festival for its LA debut. This year’s pick is the breakout hit Sorry to Bother You, and as part of the celebration, Rosario Dawson is joining to help us give major kudos—aka the Sundance Institute Vanguard Award presented by Acura—to the film’s standout director, Boots Riley. Join us for an exclusive sneak peek, celebrate one of the most exciting new indie voices, and do it all for a good cause, as your attendance helps fund grants, mentorships, and other critical resources that will allow the next wave of artists to bring their stories to life.
Grab your tickets now for this can’t-miss sneak peek event. Oh, and did we mention there’s a party?
About the Film
There’s nothing safe about Boots Riley’s film—nothing predictable, nothing derivative or generic, nothing routine. It is what we want from Sundance.
—RogerEbert.com
In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a macabre universe.
Sorry to Bother You tells the story of Cassius Green, a 30-something telemarketer with self-esteem issues who discovers a magical selling power living inside of him. Suddenly he’s rising up the ranks to the elite team of his company, which sells heinous products and services. The upswing in Cassius’s career raises serious red flags with his brilliant girlfriend, Detroit, a sign-twirling gallery artist. But the unimaginable hits the fan when Cassius meets the company’s cocaine-snorting, orgy-hosting, obnoxious, and relentless CEO, Steve Lift.
Sorry to Bother You is unlike anything you have ever seen. It is a searing social satire about greed, racial dynamics, and capitalism in a universe not unlike our own. Prepare yourself for something outrageous and totally original.
Director / Screenwriter: Boots Riley
Principal Cast: Lakeith Stanfield / Tessa Thompson / Steven Yeun / Jermaine Fowler / Armie Hammer / Omari Hardwick
About Boots Riley
Honoree—Sundance Institute Vanguard Award Presented by Acura
We're excited to announce that we’re honoring first-time director/screenwriter Boots Riley with this year’s Vanguard Award presented by Acura, with Rosario Dawson joining us to present the award. Before getting rave reviews for Sorry to Bother You at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Riley (who you might also know as the lead vocalist of The Coup) brought his satirical, fantastical script to Sundance Institute’s Screenwriters Lab, Directors Lab, and Catalyst Forum to help bring his story to life on screen.
Join us at our summer benefit to celebrate his achievement and recognize him as a new indie filmmaker to watch.
Packages & Tickets
PATRON TICKET—$500
($340 is tax-deductible)
- RESERVED SEATING for two at the Sorry to Bother You screening at the historic Theatre at Ace Hotel
- PREMIERE PARTY AND AFTER-PARTY access for two
- COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINKS at the premiere party
- RECOGNITION on site in digital and print materials
- COMPLIMENTARY VALET
SCREENING + PREMIERE PARTY TICKET—$150
($80 is tax-deductible)
- SEATING for one at the Sorry to Bother You screening at the historic Theatre at Ace Hotel
- EARLY ACCESS to the theatre prior to the screening
- PREMIERE PARTY AND AFTER-PARTY access for one
- COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINKS at the premiere party
SCREENING TICKET—$40
(Item is not tax-deductible)
- SEATING for one at the Sorry to Bother You screening at the historic Theatre at Ace Hotel
- AFTER-PARTY access for one
Donations
SUPPORT THE ARTIST FUND
(Full amount is tax-deductible)
- I cannot attend, but I would like to show my support of Sundance Institute by making a tax-deductible contribution in the amount of:
For questions or additional information about this event, please contact events@sundance.org or (435) 776-7597.
Presenting Sponsor
Media Sponsor
About Your Contribution
Your ticket purchase to our Sundance Institute at Sundown event presented by Acura includes a contribution to Sundance Institute and directly supports independent artists around the world throughout the year.
Working to advance the impact of artists and their work in society, the Institute discovers, supports, and inspires independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and introduces new audiences to their work. Through all of its activities, the Institute fosters originality, authenticity, and diversity in storytelling.
Beyond the Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute's programs include the Feature Film Program, Documentary Film Program, Short Film Program, Film Music Program, Theatre Program, Native American and Indigenous Film Program, New Frontier, Creative Producing Initiative, Episodic Storytelling Initiative, Ignite, Catalyst Initiative, Diversity Initiative, Creative Distribution Initiative, and the Women In Film Initiative, in addition to free community programs and a variety of opportunities for high school and university students.
Gifts to Sundance Institute are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.