Sundance Film Festival 2023 #DAY1

returns to In-Person & Delivers Inspiring Day One of Festival Programming

Sundance Film Festival welcomed film fans over the action-packed first day of premieres and conversations on Day One, featuring the Sundance Scoop, a kickoff conversation and Q&A with Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming Kim Yutani, and Senior Programmer and Strategic Initiatives Director John Nein, moderated by Incoming Sundance Film Festival Director and Head of Public Programming, Eugene Hernandez. The press conference delivered buzz with the announcement of the world premiere of Justice in the Festival Special Screenings section scheduled to take place in-person on Friday, January 20.

The Festival kicked off with Opening Night: A Taste of Sundance Celebration where inspiring and breakout storytellers were honored including Ryan Coogler (Sundance Institute | Variety Visionary Award), Luca Guadagnino (Sundance Institute International Icon Award), W. Kamau Bell (Vanguard Award presented by Acura - Nonfiction), Nikyatu Jusu (Vanguard Award presented by Acura - Fiction), presenters included Dakota Johnson, Lena Waithe, Boots Riley, and Roger Ross Williams. Additionally, the evening capped off with a performance by folk rock duo, Indigo Girls. 

Yesterday’s Festival events also included buzzing press lines and premieres for Little Richard: I Am Everything, The Longest Goodbye, Shayda, Kim’s Video, L’immensita, Run Rabbit Run, and Birth/Rebirth. Additionally, the festival’s Short Film Program 1 premieres included Help Me Understand, Parker, Ricky, Sweatshop Girl, Inglorious Liaisons. 

HIGHLIGHTS

SUNDANCE SCOOP

Sundance Institute’s Joana Vicente, Kim Yutani, and John Nein took part in an opening day conversation and Q&A moderated by incoming Festival Director Eugene Hernandez, opening the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. During the Q&A, Sundance unveiled Justice will have its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in the Special Screenings section. The film is directed by Doug Liman and produced by Amy Herdy, with Story Syndicate’s Liz Garbus and Dan Cogan executive producing. Justice presents never-before-seen evidence and key interviews with those closely involved in the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh.

OPENING NIGHT: A TASTE OF SUNDANCE

Opening Night: A Taste of Sundance presented by IMDbPro kicked off the festival by honoring inspiring and breakout storytellers whose journeys have been connected to Sundance throughout the years while raising funds and awareness for the Institute. Honorees were Ryan Coogler (Sundance Institute | Variety Visionary Award), Luca Guadagnio (Sundance Institute International Icon Award), W. Kamau Bell (Vanguard Award presented by Acura - Nonfiction), Nikyatu Jusu (Vanguard Award presented by Acura - Fiction).

A special performance was held by Indigo Girls, the Grammy Award-winning folk rock will premiere their new documentary, “It’s Only Life After All.” at this year's festival.

Presenters included:

Dakota Johnson presented the Sundance Institute International Icon Award to Luca Guadagnino

Roger Ross Williams presents the Vanguard Award for Nonfiction presented by Acura to W. Kamau Bell

Boots Riley presented the Vanguard Award for Fiction presented by Acura to Nikyatu Jusu. 

Lena Waithe presented the Sundance Institute Variety Visionary Award to Ryan Coogler.

FILM PREMIERES

SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING 

Film talent included Daisy Ridley (STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS) and director Rachel Lambert who attended the premiere’s press line. 

THE POD GENERATION 

Film talent included Emilia Clarke (GAME OF THRONES) and director Sophie Barthes who attended the premiere’s press line. 

RADICAL 

Film talent included Eugenio Derbez (CODA, ACAPULCO) and director Christopher Zalla who attended the premiere’s press line and Q&A. 

IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL 

Film talent included Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls and director Alexandria Bombach who attended the premiere’s press line. 

 Courtesy of Sundance Institute