After two years of a virtual format, the 2023 Sundance Film Festival returned to snowy Park City, Utah, as a mostly in-person experience that was augmented by digital offerings.Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute
For the 39th annual festival, which ran from Jan. 19-29, proceeds from ticket sales went to the development of emerging artists through the Sundance Institute. And New York Film Festival’s Eugene Hernandez served as festival director, replacing Tabitha Jackson, who stepped down after two years.
A livestreamed conversation and Q&A—dubbed Sundance Scoop—with Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente, director of programming Kim Yutani, and senior programmer and strategic initiatives director John Nein, kicked off the fest. During the online broadcast, Vicente said that this year, organizers prioritized the in-person experience, which was augmented by digital offerings. The online program featured more than 130 films that were accessible via the festival’s digital platform.
While Vicente would not disclose whether the festival will commit to a hybrid format for future fests, he did note that the Institute is aiming to attract a younger, more diverse audience, so continuing to incorporate virtual offerings would seem like a smart strategic move.
This year, brands—including mainstays such as Acura, Adobe, and Canon as well as newcomers like Stanley and Stacy’s Pita Chips—embraced the in-person event with open arms, hosting experiential activations during the fest’s 10-day run.
Keep scrolling to see inside the parties, activations, community gatherings, and more from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival...
After two years of a virtual format, the 2023 Sundance Film Festival returned to snowy Park City, Utah, as a mostly in-person experience that was augmented by digital offerings.
Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute
The Vulture Spot
Vulture returned to Sundance with "The Vulture Spot," its signature photo and video studio. This year, the media brand partnered with La Mer and SHOWTIME to create the space on Main Street. Tara Reilly, vice president of experiential and partnerships at Vox Media, said "by aligning with such strong brand partners, we were able to create a truly unique experience that generated fun, thoughtful interviews with the festival's most exciting creatives, and brought tremendous ad value to our sponsors, the Vulture brand, and the festival."
Photo: Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Vulture
SHOWTIME promoted season two of Yellowjackets with a branded hospitality station within the Vulture Spot lounge, serving breakfast, lunch, and light bites. The lounge was created to reflect the aesthetic of the show, with a rustic modern cabin design and Easter eggs from the show incorporated into the decor.
Photo: Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Vulture
La Mer hosted a branded beauty counter within the Vulture Spot to promote its Eye Concentrate, among other select products. Talent visiting the Vulture Spot were able to try out the La Mer products. And alongside the product counter, the beauty brand hosted an “Après Tea” bar with herbal, green, and black tea selections.
Photo: Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Vulture
The UTA House
United Talent Agency (UTA) returned to the festival, hosting an invite-only private house for creatives, filmmakers, storytellers, executives, and industry insiders with a weekend of programming, panels, parties, and events. The UTA House was curated by the agency’s entertainment and culture marketing division and featured programming partnerships with Women in Film, Archer Roose, Hartbeat, Free People, Barry’s, Roku, Lyft, and others. Fitness- and skill-related activities, in partnership with Free People and Barry’s Bootcamp, took place in the mornings.
Photo: Courtesy of UTA
The private estate was transformed into a luxury venue for seated panels, lounges, cocktail receptions, seated dinners, parties, ski experiences, and workout classes. Guests were transported to and from the private estate and Main Street in a custom fleet of Lyft wrapped shuttles. The event series was produced by Los Angeles-based experiential agency Mirrored Media.
Photo: Courtesy of UTA
Cinema Cafe
The festival’s Beyond Film programming provided attendees with a space to engage in artist conversations, filmmaker panels, and audience discourse. (Pictured: At the "Cinema Cafe: Fresh Faces" panel on Jan. 23. From L-R, Lindsey Bahr, Rich Brian, David Jonsson, Lio Mehiel, and Priya Kansara, who discussed their budding careers.)
Photo: Courtesy Sundance Film Festival
Audible Listening Lodge
Audible, the Sundance Film Festival’s Official Audio Entertainment Partner, hosted a “Variety x Audible Cocktails and Conversations” panel on how content creators are utilizing different mediums to showcase inclusive storytelling at the Audible Listening Lodge, which was produced by Civic Entertainment Group.
Photo: Courtesy of Civic Entertainment Group
The Audible Listening Lodge was located on Main Street and featured Park City views.
Photo: Courtesy of Audible
As part of the Audible Listening Lodge, visitors could enjoy hot beverages, empanadas, s’mores, and more.
Photos: John Salangsang/Variety for Audible
On-site Audible listening stations showcased a selection of stories and content across three themes: Wellbeing, Music, and Storytelling.
Photo: John Salangsang/Variety for Audible
Variety Interview Studio, presented by Audible
Stars like Jason Momoa, Sofia Coppola, Emilia Clarke, Ben Platt, Adam Lambert, and more stopped by the Variety Interview Studio to share insights and details on their upcoming projects.
Photo: John Salangsang/Variety for Audible
Acura Festival Village
Acura was back in Park City as the official vehicle and presenting sponsor for the festival. New for 2023, the car brand expanded its footprint to include two venues, featuring programming such as interviews with actors, writers, and directors; premiere parties; interactive experiences; and music performances on the Acura Energy Stage.
Photo: Getty Images for Acura
Acura Energy Lab
The brand’s new second location, the Acura Energy Lab, featured a photo booth and an interactive art installation by viral design engineer Mattaniah Aytenfsu.
Photo: Getty Images for Acura
The Outfest Outpost at Acura Festival Village
On Jan. 21, Outfest hosted a full day of programming featuring discussions with filmmakers, including a conversation between Sundance ‘23 filmmaker D. Smith and CEO of DEI consulting firm ReadySet Y-Vonne Hutchinson about how to enact inclusivity practices on a film set.
Photo: Getty Images for Acura
A fleet of Acura MDX and MDX Type S performance SUVs traversed the streets of Park City, and its full lineup of performance vehicles was on display throughout the fest.
Photo: Getty Images for Acura
Stacy’s Roots to Rise Market
Stacy’s Pita Chips hosted a screening of Rise, a short film created by filmmaker Nisha Ganatra, in collaboration with Hello Sunshine, and with words from poet Rupi Kaur. It was followed by a panel discussion with Ganatra and Kaur as well as the stars of Rise about the making of the film, plus the challenges that they have faced as women in their industries.
Photo: Courtesy of Stacy’s
Stacy’s Roots to Rise Market served as a hub for Sundance visitors to shop women-owned businesses and products.
Photo: Courtesy of Stacy’s
Adobe's Events
For the past 12 years, Adobe has partnered with the festival to support and celebrate independent filmmakers through the Sundance Ignite X Adobe Fellowship Program for emerging filmmakers, as well as a women-focused fellowship that launched in 2020. This year, Adobe hosted several events, including “Behind the Edit: New Realms of Collaboration Panel" and a media sponsorship with Indiewire to celebrate diverse filmmakers. Directors and casts visited the branded space to play a “Flip the Script” Mad Libs-inspired game to spark conversation around “flipping the script” in Hollywood by making the film industry more inclusive.
Photo: Courtesy of Adobe
Stanley Creator’s Lounge at The Cabin
Stanley served as Sundance’s sustainability and drinkware sponsor. Throughout the fest’s opening weekend, the brand hosted latte art classes; aura readings; live musical performances from The National Parks (pictured), Bri Ray, DJ Joune, and Drew Holcomb; and poetry readings in partnership with SLAM (1998).
Photo: Chris Whitaker/Stanley
Canon Creative Studio
At the Canon Creative Studio on Main Street, attendees were able to experience panel programming that spotlighted the latest trends in independent filmmaking. The studio also featured various shooting vignettes with a range of equipment, lighting, and models that allowed guests to test out the latest Canon gear. This was the 13th consecutive year that Canon served as a sponsor of the festival.
Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute
Chase Sapphire on Main
Chase Sapphire hosted experiences for cardmembers and media attendees, including cast parties, Los Angeles Times co-presented panels, and a Chase Sound Check DJ set with Anderson .Paak at TAO Park City. Sapphire Preferred and Reserve cardmembers were also able to stop by the space for complimentary refreshments, live music, and activations such as aura readings, customizable travel accessories, watercolor art, and more.
Photo: Jack Dempsey/Shutterstock
The Latinx House
Social entrepreneur and activist Mónica Ramírez, producer and entrepreneur Olga Segura, as well as producer and activist Alexandra Martinez Kondracke created The Latinx House. First launched at Sundance in 2020 through a collaboration with the festival, The Latinx House highlights the contributions of Latinx people. From Jan. 20-22, the space celebrated the community’s filmmaking achievements through a series of expert panels, receptions, parties, and talks with creators.
Photo: Danny Moloshok/Invision for The Latinx House/AP Images
Indigenous House
Native woman-led racial and social justice organization IllumiNative hosted the inaugural Indigenous House at this year’s festival. Native leaders, activists, storytellers, and relatives came together to celebrate the creativity, strength, and beauty of Native peoples with fireside chats and panel discussions.
Photo: Getty Images for IllumiNative
Sommsation Wine Lounge
Sommsation hosted a hospitality experience featuring expert sommeliers and a selection of limited-production wines at local wine bar Old Town Cellars. The company also partnered with the Zooz Cinema Center to be the official wine sponsor at the Mustang Restaurant.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin
Hendrick’s Gin's #NextGen Celebration
Hendrick’s Gin co-hosted The Creative Coalition’s #NextGen Young Hollywood Celebration at the Zooz Cinema Center at the Mustang Restaurant on Jan. 22. Libations included the Hendrick’s Hot Tropic Gin Punch, Hendrick’s Cucumber Mule, and Hendrick’s & Tonic. The Creative Coalition’s NextGen initiative harnesses millennial and Gen Z voices to amplify social good and advocacy messages to the next generation of citizens.
Photo: Photagonist for Cinema Center
Women Write Now Activation
Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and Sundance Institute’s second annual Women Write Now activation debuted projects from WWN’s Black woman screenwriting fellowship. Founded by Hartbeat CEO Thai Randolph and Head of Film Candice Wilson Cherry and developed in partnership with Sundance Institute, Women Write Now was designed to champion the next generation of Black women in comedy through mentorship, advocacy, production, and exhibition.
Photo: Courtesy of Women Write Now
Michele Pred's Art Installation
On Jan. 22 in Park City, artist Michele Pred unveiled her latest large-scale project in honor of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The 50-foot art installation—in collaboration with PlanCpills.org and Wisp—was made using abortion pills. PLAN C, a documentary that follows the grassroots organization as they distribute abortion pills around the U.S., premiered at the festival.
Photo: Kylie Fly
GLAAD x Meredith Marks Park City Boutique Event
During the festival, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Meredith Marks opened up her Park City boutique to celebrate GLAAD and the organization’s work for the LGBTQIA+ community. Matt Rogers, Jaymes Vaughan, Jonathan Bennett, and Anthony Allen Ramos were in attendance.
Photo: Anna Weber/Getty Images for GLAAD
