A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford: Honoring Independent Storytellers at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival
The upcoming Sundance Film Festival in 2026 will pay tribute to the festival's late founder, Robert Redford, who passed away in September at the age of 89. The festival, which has been held in Park City, Utah, since the late 1960s, will feature a special event called "A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford" on January 23, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah. This event will honor Redford's legacy, vision, and mission to support independent storytellers, and will introduce the inaugural Robert Redford Luminary Award.
The Robert Redford Luminary Award will be presented to Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag, two artists who have been deeply involved with the Sundance Institute labs and have supported emerging storytellers. The award recognizes individuals who have used their resources and insights to create opportunities for others and make a positive impact on the world. Harris and Gazdag have been instrumental in guiding artists at the Sundance Institute Directors Lab, helping them develop their projects and skills as writers and directors in a nurturing environment.
Ebs Burnough, the Sundance Institute Board Chair, expressed the significance of honoring Robert Redford's legacy through this event, emphasizing the organization's commitment to supporting independent artists worldwide. Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO of Sundance Institute, highlighted the contributions of Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag to the Sundance Institute labs, praising their dedication to mentoring artists and upholding Redford's vision of championing independent storytelling.
Ed Harris has been a creative advisor at the Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Labs since 2002, while Gyula Gazdag has been a creative advisor since 1994 and artistic director for the Directors Lab since 1997. Both artists shared their profound experiences at the Sundance Institute, emphasizing the nurturing environment and sense of community that has inspired their work and creativity over the years.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, the final one to be held in Park City, will run from January 22 to February 1, 2026, with in-person events in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, and an online program available from January 29 to February 1, 2026, for audiences across the country. This year's festival will celebrate the legacy of Robert Redford and the continued commitment to supporting independent filmmakers and storytellers.