NME Afterprint: Day One of the Sundance Film Festival
The 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the 40th Edition, completed the first day of programming on January 18, those featured include Kristen Stewart, Pedro Pascal, Christopher Nolan, Robert Downey Jr., Normani and more!
SUNDANCE SCOOP - FILMMAKER'S LODGE
The day opened with Sundance Scoop, a conversation with Sundance leadership moderated by Founder and CEO of Blumhouse, Jason Blum. The panel included Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente, Director of the Sundance Film Festival Eugene Hernandez, and head of public programming Kim Yutani. Blum shared the importance of the organization and how recent developments in the entertainment industry may benefits this year's Sundance films. “Sundance is a vital, vital part of the entertainment ecosystem, and I think it’s undervalued in that way," shared Blum. "Without Sundance, the United States would not be where it is in entertainment, and I really think not enough people make that connection.”
SCREENINGS
There were quite a few premieres last night including FRIDA, Freaky Tales, Thelma, Never Look Away, Girl State, and Stress Positions. Other premieres included Eno, Ghostlight, How to Have Sex, Layla, and FRIDA.
THE OPENING GALA
The day concluded with the Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years Presented by Chase Sapphire®. The annual gala enables the nonprofit to raise critical funds to support independent artists year-round and recognizes those committed to independent film in addition to a slate of incredible premieres and event. Honorees and presenters included:Honorees and presenters included:
Christopher Nolan - Inaugural Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award
Presented by Robert Downey Jr.
Kristen Stewart - Visionary Award
Presented by Jesse Eisenberg
Pat Mitchell - Vanguard Award for Philanthropy
Presented by Mary Robinson
Celine Song (Vanguard Award for Fiction)
Presented by Christine Vachon
Maite Alberdi (Vanguard Award for Nonfiction)
Presented by Jodie Foster
Additional attendees included Darren Aronofsky, Jennifer Grey, David Alan Grier, Rory Kennedy, Lio Mehiel, Alok Vaid-Menon, Danny Ramirez, and Roger Ross Wiliams.