2023 Sundance Film Festival To Go “Beyond Film”

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Lineup of Conversations Announced

Sundance Film Festival returns in person this year with a large selection of the works available online. While it was a priority to bring the Festival back in-person, it was important to be able to extend Sundance to the independent film loving community to access online for audiences to participate from where they are.

• Single tickets (including tickets for the Power of Story conversation at the Egyptian theater, which is the only ticketed/paid one in the Beyond Film lineup) are on sale on January 12 at 10:00 a.m. MT at festival.sundance.org/tickets. 

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PARK CITY, UTAH, January 6, 2023 — Today the nonprofit Sundance Institute announced the lineup for the 2023 Sundance Film Festival Beyond Film conversations, all of which are open to the public. Made up of three series called Power of Story, Cinema Café, and The Big Conversation, Beyond Film rounds out the Festival experience, providing a place for the community to engage through artist conversations, filmmaker panels, and audience discourse. Beyond Film will take place in-person from January 19–23, 2023, with the Beyond Film offerings becoming available to audiences across the country on the online Festival Platform starting January 24, 2023. The Festival also shared details about additional free conversations and events from Sundance Collab and our Festival partners available in person and online.

Beyond Film speakers will include talent from Festival films, such as Barry Jenkins (Producer, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt), Dakota Johnson (Actress, Producer), Jonathan Majors (Magazine Dreams), Randall Park (Shortcomings), Ruth Reichl (Food and Country), and Adrian Tomine (Shortcomings), as well as compelling speakers including Dr. Orna Guralnik (clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, Couples Therapy), Marlee Matlin (actor, CODA), and Lisa Taddeo (author, Ghost Lover).

“We gather in Utah and online during the Festival to watch stories unfold. From feature films to shorts to Indie Episodic projects, Sundance is known for what audiences can see, but just as crucial to the experience is what we all talk about,” said Ania Trzebiatowska, Beyond Film Program Curator. “The Beyond Film offerings encourage community. These talks allow Festivalgoers the opportunity to engage in a deeper way with the cultural ideas that they’ve seen on screen with artists, activists, and thinkers that are also exploring them.”

For admission to a Big Conversation or Cinema Café event, Festivalgoers will need to present their Festival badge or Festival ID (digital QR code) at the door. You can access your Festival ID by logging in to your free Festival account and going to “My Schedule.” (Important: Festival tickets and Festival IDs serve different functions. Both can be retrieved as QR codes using the mobile app.) Note: “Power of Story” will require a digital ticket for entry. Beyond Film events are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Read more about Digital Tickets and QR Codes here, and click here for details on how to access Beyond Film offerings online after January 24.

In addition to the Sundance programming, Festival partners will have conversations (in-person and online) running January 19–24, 2023.

BEYOND FILM LINEUP

POWER OF STORY

The Sundance Film Festival’s Power of Story looks to deepen public engagement with the art of storytelling, delve into cinema culture, and celebrate artists whose work propels and reinvents the form as we know it. By contemplating the future of storytelling, we explore how revolutionary narrative experiences will reshape culture through artistic discovery, emerging media, and the reassertion of independence. 

Power of Story: On Intimacy

Sunday, January 22, 3:15–4:45 p.m. 

Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St.

A frank conversation about the meaning of intimacy and the ways in which we negotiate and guard our space, our need for closeness, and our independence. What does intimacy look like in an artistic collaboration, and how do we develop the tools to communicate and navigate a space of great closeness in a complex professional setting where intimacy is being created for an audience? A group of artists reflect on their approach to the empowering nature of intimacy in their storytelling and the importance of allowing themselves to be vulnerable.

Featuring: Ita O’Brien (intimacy coordinator, I May Destroy You), Lisa Taddeo (author, Ghost Lover), Dakota Johnson (Actress, Producer), Barry Jenkins (Producer, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt)

Moderated by Dr. Orna Guralnik (clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, Couples Therapy)

CINEMA CAFÉ

Saturday January 20–Monday, January 23, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Filmmaker Lodge, 550 Main St.

The doors are open again at Cinema Café, where the culture of conversation is reinvigorated. Our series of informal chats brings together special guests for thought–provoking encounters and fascinating dialogue. Previous Cinema Café guests have included Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Tessa Thompson, Jane Campion, Dave Grohl, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lena Dunham, Norman Lear, Kumail Nanjiani, Zazie Beetz, Saoirse Ronan, Spike Lee, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Radha Blank, Ira Glass, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bassem Youssef, Charlie Kaufman, Ice-T, Nick Hornby, Winston Duke, Samantha Power, Steve Coogan, Roger Corman, and many others.

Presented by Audible

CINEMA CAFÉ: Alison O’Daniel (The Tuba Thieves), D Smith (Kokomo City), and Walé Oyéjidé (Bravo, Burkina!)

Moderated by Rishi Rajani (A Thousand and One)

Friday, January 20, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

CINEMA CAFÉ: Tia Lessin (The Janes), Emma Pildes (The Janes), Paula Eiselt (Under G-d), Tracy Droz Tragos (Plan C)

Sunday, January 22, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

CINEMA CAFÉ: Fresh Faces

Priya Kansara (Polite Society), Lio Mehiel (Mutt) and Rich Brian (Jamojaya)

Monday, January 23, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

THE BIG CONVERSATION

The Big Conversation tackles science, art, culture, and the movements that are fueling the imaginations of today’s independent artists. A compelling selection of speakers discuss topics centered on the themes of this year’s program and explore broader trends in art and culture around the world. In considering how artists — through their practice and their work — make meaning of the world, we’re reminded that it’s the big conversation that connects us to the big ideas.

All Big Conversations will take place at the Filmmaker Lodge, 550 Main St., Park City, Utah

COMPLICATING REPRESENTATION

Friday, January 20, 2–3:30 p.m. 

Increased visibility for historically underrepresented people is empowering but also can bring new, complex questions and challenges. This panel will provide a chance for successful creators impacted by current (and sometimes false or performative) interest in diversity in Hollywood to discuss the struggles, boons, doubts, and responsibilities of balancing more grassroots, edgy artistic spaces.

Featuring: Zackary Drucker (The Stroll), Randall Park (Shortcomings), Alethea Arnaquq-Bari (Twice Colonized), Marlee Matlin (CODA)

Moderated by Bird Runningwater (Executive Producer, CloudWoman Media)

GOING NOWHERE? ON BURNOUT & ATTENTION CRISIS

Saturday, January 21, 2–3:30 p.m. 

Among many issues that the global pandemic exposed and challenged was our ability to stay focused and inspired. Initially, it felt like the best time to pause, take care of ourselves, and reevaluate our priorities. Very quickly though, it became clear that the constantly growing expectations of creators in a hyper-productive and connected culture meant pausing wasn’t an option. Enter burnout. What have we learned about ourselves, and how do we resist the often suffocating pressures of always striving for productivity and success?

Featuring: Jonathan Majors (Magazine Dreams), Ruth Reichl (Food and Country),  Adrian Tomine (Shortcomings)

Moderated by Tricia Hersey (The Nap Ministry)

THE STORY OF US

Sunday, January 22, 2–3:30 p.m. 

Democracy is at risk around the world. So what happens now? This year, as we think about the future of democracy, this Big Conversation builds on the previous two iterations of Kimberlé W. Crenshaw’s The Story of Us to explore how storytelling has long been and continues to be a critical enterprise in grounding the shape and contours of democratic inclusion. Leading thinkers in the arts, history, and social justice will challenge us to consider how narrative plenitude is not simply an expression of inclusion but is essential to strengthening democratic ideals.

Featuring: W. Kamau Bell (We Need to Talk About Cosby)

Moderated by Kimberlé W. Crenshaw (executive director, African American Policy Forum)

APPETITE FOR CONSTRUCTION

Monday, January 23, 2–3:30 p.m. 

Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

There’s no shortage of dystopian futures and calamity science in popular media. What happened to better living through science and technology? Where’s our science optimism? What if near-future fiction gave us inspiration instead of nightmares, and solutions to daunting problems? What if bioengineering produced bacteria that eat plastic instead of people? From AI to genetics, we explore the bright side of science and the ethical framework scientists and storytellers bring to the idea of progress.

Featuring: Sophie Barthes (The Pod Generation), Drew Endy (associate professor of bioengineering, Stanford University), Yewande Pearse (neuroscientist & science communicator, founder of Nyewro), Richie Mehta (Poachers, Extrapolations)

Moderated by Ahmed Best (Star Wars, co-founder of Afrorithm Futures Group)

SUNDANCE COLLAB

Sundance Collab is a digital platform that supports and connects independent filmmakers at every stage of their creative journey. We provide resources to inspire and empower artists to bring untold stories to life. Reflecting the vision and values of the Sundance Institute, we cultivate a safe and nurturing space of inclusion and belonging for artists across the world.

Over 130,000 artists have joined Sundance Collab to access online events, courses, and resources; connect through conversation and networking; collaborate with others by sharing work and giving feedback; and garner advice from Sundance Institute advisors and industry experts. Join us to connect with artists, creators, and storytellers, hone your craft, and elevate independent voices. Sign up today at collab.sundance.org

FILMMAKER MEETUP AND PANEL: MAKING YOUR FIRST FEATURE FILM

Monday, January 23, 10–11 a.m. 

Canon Creative Studio, 528 Main St.

Join Sundance Collab for a candid panel with Festival filmmakers Tracy Droz Tragos (Plan C), Laurel Parmet (The Starling Girl), and others about the process of making their first feature film. Following the discussion, we invite attendees to stay for coffee, snacks, and casual networking. 

Featuring:  Tracy Droz Tragos (Plan C), Laurel Parmet (The Starling Girl) and more      

Moderated by Michelle Satter (Sundance Institute)

SPOTLIGHT EVENT: SUSANNA FOGEL ON SUSTAINING A CAREER

Thursday, January 26, 4-5:15 p.m. PT

Online

Join Susanna Fogel (Cat Person) in conversation about her creative process from script to film and TV, and how to sustain a career. 

Panelists: Susanna Fogel (Cat Person)

Moderator: Wendy Keeling

PARTNER PROGRAMMING

The Sundance Film Festival’s partner panels give audiences the opportunity to hear from Festival filmmakers and industry experts as they discuss key topics impacting filmmaking and storytelling. Panels are hosted and produced by members of our official partner community. Please check the Partner Events section of the Festival Program Guide for panel topics and times. All in-person panels will take place Friday, January 20 - Tuesday, January 24 at The Box at The Ray located at 1768 Park Ave., at Filmmaker Lodge located at 550 Main Street or at official Sundance Film Festival partner venues on Main Street, all in Park City. Partner organizations help make the Festival and our year-round artists programs possible.

Adobe

Getting into Sundance – A Conversation with Kim Yutani

Monday, January 9,12–1 p.m.

Online

Livestreamed interview between Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming, and Meagan Keane, Adobe Pro Video Director of Product Marketing, Kim and Meagan will discuss what goes into programming the Festival and a sneak peek into the films, filmmakers and events.  The talk will be livestreamed and will be posted for on demand viewing. 

Color of Change

Hollywood, Racism and the New Age of Censorship

Friday, January 20, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

The Box at The Ray, 1768 Park Ave.

In a dynamic conversational format, Color Of Change president Rashad Robinson and the African American Policy Forum founder Kimberlé Crenshaw will address how historical and contemporary efforts to write Black history out of the national memory are impacting Hollywood, why creatives cannot allow the chilling effect of this censorship to affect cinematic storytelling, and what Hollywood's role should be in standing up to silence diverse storytellers from telling their truths.

Featuring: Rashad Robinson, president of Color Of Change, Kimberlé Crenshaw, founder of African American Policy Forum

Shutterstock

Authentic Storytelling for Docs' New Audience: Gen Z

Friday, January 20, 2:00–3:30 p.m.

The Box at The Ray, 1768 Park Ave.