The 2025 Sundance Film Festival’s gala fundraiser, Celebrating Sundance Institute, will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah. The event evening will be in honor of Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Artist Programs, for her four-decade-long commitment to nurturing artists through the Sundance Labs, where visionary…

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival’s gala fundraiser, Celebrating Sundance Institute, will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah.

The event evening will be in honor of Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Artist Programs, for her four-decade-long commitment to nurturing artists through the Sundance Labs, where visionary filmmakers develop groundbreaking projects. The Vanguard Awards Presented by Acura will be awarded to Sean Wang, writer-director of Dìdi (弟弟), and Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, co-directors of Sugarcane, who premiered their films at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

The annual gala supports the nonprofit’s efforts to raise funds for independent artists through labs, grants, and public programming that help nurture artists from all over the world. The 2025 event is made possible with the generous support of Google TV.

The festival will take place from January 23 to February 2, 2025, in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with a selection of titles available online from January 30 to February 2, 2025, for national audiences to enjoy bold independent storytelling.

“For over four decades, Michelle has been devoted to championing independent storytellers,” said Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO of Sundance Institute. “She has empowered artists to own their voice, refine their craft, and become leaders in an ever-changing ecosystem. Her support for underrepresented communities has produced some of the most distinctive films that have resonated with global audiences and sustained filmmakers’ careers. We’re also proud to recognize Sean Wang, Julian Brave NoiseCat, and Emily Kassie — the next generation of independent filmmakers whose work continues the Institute’s mission of fostering new voices.”

Michelle Satter, who began her journey with Sundance Institute in 1981 alongside founder Robert Redford, has been instrumental in mentoring emerging independent filmmakers. She helped establish impactful programs such as the annual June Filmmakers Lab and has guided generations of award-winning filmmakers, including Quentin Tarantino, Chloé Zhao, and Ryan Coogler. Satter’s contributions to the Institute and advocacy efforts have earned her several prestigious awards, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2024 Governors Awards.

“Championing independent artists through the Sundance Institute has been the driving force of my career,” Satter shared. “I believe storytelling can reshape the world, fostering empathy and bridging humanity. Sundance has always been a vital space for creativity, and its mission is more crucial than ever in today’s rapidly evolving industry.”

The Vanguard Awards Presented by Acura honor emerging filmmakers whose work exemplifies creative independence. Sean Wang, writer-director of Dìdi (弟弟), will receive the Vanguard Award for Fiction, while Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie will receive the Vanguard Award for Nonfiction for Sugarcane. Previous recipients include Ryan Coogler, Siân Heder, and Damien Chazelle.

Academy Award® nominee Sean Wang, recognized for his short Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó, premiered his feature Dìdi (弟弟) at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and Special Jury Prize. The film was acquired by Focus Features for a 2024 theatrical release. Wang’s journey was supported by Sundance’s artist development programs, including Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship and the Directors and Screenwriters Labs.

“For over a decade, Sundance has symbolized artistic excellence and bold, distinct voices,” said Sean Wang. “The support I received from Sundance’s programs has been transformative. I’m incredibly grateful to receive this award and to see the future of independent cinema continue to flourish under Michelle’s leadership.”

Co-directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie premiered their documentary Sugarcane at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the U.S. Documentary Directing Award. NoiseCat, a member of the Canim Lake Band, and Kassie, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, bring to light vital stories of Indigenous peoples. Their work has been supported by Sundance’s development programs and their participation has helped the film reach a global audience.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Vanguard Award for Sugarcane,” said NoiseCat and Kassie. “Sundance gave us the chance to grow through the generosity of mentors and peers. This recognition means the world to us and to the community that shared their lives with us on screen. Sundance has helped us bring a crucial story to global audiences, and we are grateful to be part of its extraordinary legacy.”