PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — The Sundance Film Festival celebrated its first event since the passing of Robert Redford, the founder of the Sundance Institute and a pivotal figure in independent cinema. At a star-studded gala on Friday night, filmmakers and actors whose careers he influenced reflected on his lasting legacy in the industry.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival marks the final event in Utah before it relocates to Boulder, Colorado. This year’s festival serves as a tribute to the creative sanctuary that Redford established decades ago, promoting unique storytelling outside the mainstream. His daughter, Amy Redford, emphasized that the legacy most cherished by her father is preserved in Utah: the lab programs designed for writers and directors at the Sundance Institute.
“When my dad could have created an empire, he created a nest,” Amy Redford noted, highlighting the institute's mission to support and nurture new talents in the film industry. She reflected on how her father valued intimate collaboration with emerging filmmakers, often preferring to spend time with them at the Sundance Mountain Resort he founded, located about 34 miles (54 kilometers) south of Park City.
Generations of filmmakers attribute their success to Redford's mentorship through the institute's lab programs, which began in 1981. The labs invite aspiring storytellers to develop their skills in a secluded, supportive environment away from the distractions of Hollywood. Notably, three of the five Best Director nominees at the upcoming Academy Awards—Paul Thomas Anderson, Chloé Zhao, and Ryan Coogler—emerged from these labs.
Chloé Zhao, whose film "Hamnet" received eight Oscar nominations, credited her time in the screenwriting lab with jump-starting her career. Through mentorship from Redford and program director Michelle Satter, she gained the confidence to embrace her creative vision and establish connections within a community of fellow artists.
Numerous former lab participants shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with Redford. Director Nia DaCosta recalled seeing him ride his motorcycle along serene wooded paths, stopping to engage with them about their projects. Redford preferred the informal title “Bob,” fostering a friendly atmosphere that made discussing their work more approachable.
Actor and Sundance regular Ethan Hawke recounted his first audition for Redford in the 1992 film "A River Runs Through It." After spending a restless night rehearsing a lengthy monologue, he was told by Redford that he was too young for the role but that he could look forward to a promising career ahead. Redford’s support positioned him as one of Hawke’s greatest mentors, inspiring him to continue Redford's legacy by fostering creativity in the film industry.
At this year’s festival, screenings began with a heartfelt video tribute to Redford, eliciting thunderous applause from attendees. Festival volunteers showed their appreciation with buttons reading “Thank you, Bob!” Additionally, audiences anticipated a screening of Redford's first fully independent film, the 1969 sports drama "Downhill Racer."
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay recounted her initial experience at Sundance as a publicist before gaining recognition for her 2012 film "Middle of Nowhere." Having served as a Sundance trustee and forming a close bond with Redford, DuVernay expressed that addressing him as "Bob" never felt quite right. She praised Redford for establishing not just a festival, but a culture that values artists and creative expression.
“Mr. Redford didn’t just establish a festival. He modeled a way to be, a way that matters,” DuVernay said. “The door that he built is still open, and it’s up to us to walk through and to maybe even build our own.”
As the festival unfolds, it continues to honor Robert Redford's vision for independent filmmaking and the community he helped cultivate.
