To celebrate independent film, many producers, directors, talent, media and industry VIPs attended parties, brand experiences and panels at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival inbetween seeing movies (with over 120,000 attendees and 118 feature films in theaters). To take you behind-the-scenes, below are five of our favorite events on Main Street in Park City, Utah, as a recap on the closing day.
1. THE CREATIVE COALITION – YOUNG HOLLYWOOD PARTY
The Creative Coalition honored the next generation of arts advocates at their Young Hollywood Initiative Kick-off Party on Saturday evening. Producers, writers, directors, talent, network and development executives were all there. Actors Sam Daly and Vincent De Paul encouraged people to get involved in The Creative Coalition’s #RightToBearArts campaign. When we interviewed Sam, he explained; “The Creative Coalition is a non-profit arts advocacy group. We are here to advocate for the arts. We go to Congress every year, and we try to save the National Endowment for the Arts that donates and gives money to every Congressional district in the country. This is not just LA. This is not just New York. We’re talking about small towns in rural communities that need and deserve access to arts and arts education in public schools.”
2. SAGIndie FILMMAKERS BRUNCH
Photo (c) Liz H Kelly 2020.
SAGIndie hosted their 23rd Annual Filmmakers Luncheon on Monday at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival at Café Terigo on Main Street. Filmmakers enjoyed a yummy breakfast, exchanged cards, and celebrated each other’s work. Zhannat Alshanova (Director, “Paola Makes A Wish”) was there, and explained that she had traveled all the way from Kazakhstan to screen her short film in the festival. Billy Holden, VP SAG-AFTRA Utah, was also there asking filmmakers about their latest projects.
3. THE RETREAT – PROJECT GREEN
Photo by Project Green.
The Retreat Project Green 501c3 Talent and Press Media Lounge was another popular stop on Main Street last weekend. When we visited, the cast for the “Beast Beast” Sundance 2020 film were there, including Daniel Rashid, Courtney Dietz, and Stephen Ruffin. Along with refreshments, JC Jewelers from Jackson Hole designed a special necklace for Sundance that was on display. Project Green 501c3 offers a camp experience for underserved children through it’s Back to Basic sponsor program. Project Green protects green space for future generations by supporting urban gardens and eco-building. This non-profit also did a drive to help people in the Bahamas impacted by Hurricane Dorian last fall. For more information, visit ProjectGreenUSA.org.
4. INDIE DIRECTORS SPOTLIGHT at THE CABIN
Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment’s Indie Director’s Spotlight was a true celebration of women, diversity and the evolution in film at The Cabin on Main Street on Sunday. This invite-only industry event included a brunch, panels, short screenings, networking, afternoon lite bites, VIP gifting by Timeless Skincare, Powerful-U pop up shop, cocktails, mocktails, and more. And the filmmaker panel included Ericka Nicole Malone (Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment), Powerful-U Creator/ Director James Purpura (“Perception: Seeing is not Believing”), and Sundance alum Matty Rich (“Straight Out of Brooklyn”, “The Inkwell”). During this film celebration, we also ran into Louis Lombardi (Entourage) and Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story).
5. SundanceTV HQ PANELS AND PHOTOS
The SundanceTV HQ also hosted filmmaker panels and special events at the top of Main Street all week. We were fortunate to attend the Women Breaking Barriers Panel that featured Kerry Washington (“Scandal” star and Producer of the Sundance 2020 film, “The Fight”) and Julie Taymor (Director, “The Glorias”). Inbetween panels, this HQ had fun photo booths, including one with #SevenWorldsOnePlanet and a backdrop image with penguins (and PS, there are no penguins in Park City, yes, someone asked!).
And along with these independent film celebration events on Main Street, the 2020 Sundance Film Festival was supported by many brand experiences, including the Lyft Lounge, Acura Village, Canon Creative Studio, HBO “Our Stories To Tell” Series, CNN Films Lounge, Netflix, Gucci #LetGirlsDream party and more, who rolled out the red carpet for entertainment executives, press and artists. And then there was that dumpling party that was packed. We’re still working on getting that story for you!
Many thanks to everyone involved in making these 2020 Sundance Film Festival events a big success. Seriously, the organizers plan months in advance, and it really makes the festival a fun celebration of independent film. Our team is ready to go again next year. Who else is in?
