Chicago to Host Inaugural Sundance Institute x Chicago Event, June 28-30
Choose Chicago, alongside the City of Chicago and the Sundance Institute, has revealed the programming and schedule for the first-ever Sundance Institute x Chicago event, taking place from June 28 to 30, 2024. This landmark event will bring three days of film screenings, panel discussions, and master classes to Chicago, featuring titles from the prestigious Sundance Film Festival held annually in Park City, Utah. Tickets for all events are now on sale at SundanceInstitutexChicago.com.
Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO of Choose Chicago, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Chicago’s dynamic cultural scene is an ideal backdrop for this special collaboration with the Sundance Institute. We are proud to partner with the City of Chicago and the Sundance Institute to produce a new, only-in-Chicago experience that celebrates diverse storytelling and supports our brilliant local community of filmmakers.”
Clinée Hedspeth, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the event's significance for Chicago's cultural landscape. “This event is a significant addition to Chicago’s cultural calendar, offering unique insights into the filmmaking process and fostering discussions that inspire and challenge audiences.”
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, the Sundance Institute is renowned for its dedication to independent storytelling. The Institute operates the Sundance Film Festival and provides year-round support to filmmakers through artist labs, grants, and educational programs. Eugene Hernandez, Festival Director and head of public programming at Sundance Institute, expressed enthusiasm for the Chicago event, saying, “We are honored to invite the Chicago community to experience a taste of the Sundance Institute. We’re excited to engage with emerging artists and film-lovers from Chicagoland and beyond.”
Tickets for the screenings are priced at $20, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF). Karen Cardarelli, Executive Director of Facets Multi-Media and a CAFF representative, expressed gratitude for this support, noting that funds will be redistributed to member organizations to enhance their cultural and economic impact.
The event will feature Midwest premiere screenings of four films from the Sundance Film Festival’s January lineup:
- "Luther: Never Too Much" / U.S.A. (Director: Dawn Porter) - Documentary about the life and career of Luther Vandross.
- "Sugarcane" / U.S.A., Canada (Director: Julian Brave NoiseCat) - Documentary investigating abuse at an Indian residential school.
- "A Different Man" / U.S.A. (Director: Aaron Schimberg) - Fictional tale of an actor’s radical transformation gone wrong.
- "Your Monster" / U.S.A. (Director: Caroline Lindy) - Dark romantic comedy about finding love in unexpected places.
In addition to screenings, the event will offer various panel discussions and master classes aimed at both professionals and enthusiasts. Notable sessions include:
- "Playing for Keeps: How Development Labs could be the investment that leads to local artistic sustainability" (June 29, Logan Center for the Arts)
- "A Better Way? New Sustainable Models for Financing and Distribution: Dual Value, Philanthropy, and Social Impact" (June 30, Chicago Cultural Center)
- "Stronger Together: How festivals, art houses, and independent exhibitors are working together to revive & reinvent the theatrical experience" (June 30, Chicago Cultural Center)
- Sundance Institute Short Film Master Class (June 29 and 30)
- Sundance Institute Artist Programs Presentation (June 29 and 30)
Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 is supported by Choose Chicago, the Chicago Film Office, and an advisory board from the local film and cultural communities. The event aims to provide an inclusive experience, with all venues equipped with accessible devices and resources. For more details, visit the official event page.