Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 years presented by Chase Sapphire®
Event Details
On January 18, join us at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival’s Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years Presented by Chase Sapphire®, with additional support by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Acura, and Google TV. This inspiring evening celebrating artists and sharing delicious food and drink will honor notable Sundance alumni Christopher Nolan, Kristen Stewart, Celine Song and Maite Alberdi, as well as former Sundance Institute Board Chair and trustee, Pat Mitchell.
This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival as we honor our legacy and our mission — to support the future of independent storytelling. By attending this highly anticipated opening night gala, you will kick off the 2024 Festival with a passionate group of like-minded Sundance supporters and the artists we support while contributing to Sundance Institute grants, mentorships, and other critical resources that enable artists to bring their stories to life.
We hope to see you at our 2024 Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years Presented by Chase Sapphire® at the DeJoria Center in Kamas, Utah, starting at 7:15 p.m. The dinner and program will begin at 8:30 p.m. Shuttle service between the Eccles Theatre in Park City and the DeJoria Center will be available. Valet parking and self-parking will be available at the DeJoria Center. Reserve your table or seat today!
Honorees
Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award – Christopher Nolan
The inaugural Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award will be presented to an individual in recognition of their unwavering dedication and notable contributions to the field of independent film. Christopher Nolan fully exemplifies this legacy. He was celebrated by Sundance two decades ago when his breakthrough film, Memento, screened to great acclaim at the Festival. Memento’s 2001 Sundance debut garnered that year’s Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and was ultimately nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Memento catapulted Nolan’s career, propelling him from independent films to major blockbusters, including The Dark Knight trilogy and this year’s triumph, Oppenheimer. One of the most acclaimed directors of our time, Christopher Nolan boldly pushes the parameters of cinematic storytelling.
Sundance Institute Visionary Award
Photo credit: Adir Abergel
The Sundance Institute Visionary Award recognizes a notable Sundance Institute alum’s contributions to the field of independent film and dedication to maintaining an independent spirit. This year’s award is being given to Kristen Stewart, who fully embodies the spirit of our mission and values. She received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer, and her performance in Clouds of Sils Maria made her the first American actress to win a César Award. After her star rose in The Twilight Saga, she made her directorial debut, Come Swim, at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Sundance Institute Vanguard Awards presented by Acura
The annual Sundance Institute Vanguard Awards, presented by Acura, will be given during the evening to honor artists whose work highlights the art of storytelling and creative independence in both nonfiction and fiction. The Sundance Institute Vanguard Award for nonfiction will be presented to Maite Alberdi, director of The Eternal Memory (2023 Sundance Film Festival) and The Mole Agent (2020 Sundance Film Festival), and the Sundance Institute Vanguard Award for fiction will go to Celine Song, director of Past Lives (2023 Sundance Film Festival). Alberdi and Song join the likes of past honorees such as W. Kamau Bell, Nikyatu Jusu, Ryan Coogler, Siân Heder, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Radha Blank, Lulu Wang, Dee Rees, Damien Chazelle, Marielle Heller, Benh Zeitlin, Boots Riley, and many more.
Sundance Institute Vanguard Award for Philanthropy
The Sundance Institute’s Vanguard Award for Philanthropy honors innovation, originality, and independent spirit as demonstrated through an exemplary commitment to philanthropy and social impact. Pat Mitchell, former Sundance Institute Board Chair and trustee, has exhibited a steadfast, decadeslong commitment to the Sundance Institute’s mission, the issues of women and girls, and global climate change. Throughout her career as an award-winning journalist and producer, her projects have received 34 Emmys, five Peabodys, and two Academy Award nominations, and as a media executive she was the first woman president of CNN Productions and PBS. She broke new ground for women and elevated the role of media for social change.
Tables and Tickets
Individual Ticket – $1,750 ($1,545 is a charitable contribution)
DETAILS
- One ticket for the dinner and program
- Line Listing Recognition in the onsite digital program
Advocate Table – $20,000 ($17,950 is a charitable contribution)
DETAILS
- One table for 10 guests for the dinner and program
- Line Listing Recognition in the following locations:
- Event promotional emails distributed to over 5,000 Sundance supporters
- Event webpage on Sundance.org
- On-screen recognition
- On-site digital program
- Sundance Film Festival Catalog*
*If purchased by December 1, 2023
40th Edition Champion Table – $40,000 ($38,155 is a charitable contribution)
DETAILS
- One table with placement towards front of the room for nine guests plus at minimum 1 Sundance artist for the dinner and program
- Logo (or Line Listing if no logo available) Recognition in the following locations:
- Event promotional emails distributed to over 5,000 Sundance supporters
- Event webpage on Sundance.org
- On-screen recognition
- On-site digital program
- Sundance Film Festival Catalog*
*If purchased by December 1, 2023
Ruby Table – $100,000 ($84,885 is a charitable contribution)
DETAILS
- One table with premium placement close to stage for nine guests plus at minimum 1 Sundance artist for the dinner and program
- Opportunity to request the attending artist to be seated at your table
- Logo (or Line Listing if no logo available) Recognition in the following locations:
- Event promotional emails distributed to over 5,000 Sundance supporters
- Event webpage on Sundance.org
- On-screen recognition
- On-site digital program
- Sundance Film Festival Catalog*
- Verbal Recognition during the event program
- Meet and Greet and Photo Opportunity with an honoree at the event (pending artist availability)
- 2 Express Passes for the 2024 Sundance Film Festival
- 10 Tickets to any day one screening at the Eccles Theatre in a reserved section
*If purchased by December 1, 2023
Due to popular demand, Sundance Institute’s Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years Presented by Chase Sapphire® is sold out. Sorry we missed you for the 2024 event – if you would like to make a donation to Sundance Institute please use the button below. Contact openingnight@sundance.org with any questions.
Presenting Sponsor
Lead Sponsor
Vanguard Award Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Thank You to Our Host Committee:
Ebs Burnough, Amy Redford, Jason Blum, Nina Fialkow, Jeanne Donovan Fisher, and Gigi Pritzker
Ruby tables
Ebs Burnough and Pierre LaGrange
Nina and David Fialkow
Jeanne Donovan Fisher
Madison Wells
Susan and Jim Swartz
40th Edition Champion Tables
advocate tables
Bloomberg
Blumhouse
Leigh Ann Charlot
Global Catalyst
The Gruneich Foundation
Jeff Hays Films/Amy Redford
Impact Partners
Ann Lewnes
MTV Documentary Films
advocate tables cont.
Participant
Bill Plapinger and Cassie Murray
Pop Culture Collaborative
Reel Friends
Robina Riccitiello, Spark Features
Ellen and Mike Rosenberg
ShivHans Pictures
Steward Family Foundation
United Airlines
The Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation
Official Providers
Culinary Crafts
In the Event
Lola Valentina High-End Table Linen Rental
About Your Contribution
The Sundance Film Festival is one of the many programs offered by the nonprofit Sundance Institute. Your ticket purchase to the Sundance Film Festival’s Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years Presented by Chase Sapphire® event includes a contribution to Sundance Institute and directly supports independent artists through resources such as labs, grants, and fellowships. Working to advance the impact of artists and their work in society while introducing audiences to their new work, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and media artists from the United States and around the world. Through all of its activities, the Institute fosters originality, authenticity, and diversity in storytelling.
Gifts to Sundance Institute are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Contact Information
To reserve your tickets or request additional information, please contact us at (646) 863-5992 or openingnight@sundance.org.
Accessibility and Community Agreement
The Sundance Institute is committed to ensuring our events are as accessible as possible for everyone who attends. If any accommodation would support your full participation in this event, please contact accessibility@sundance.org to describe your specific request. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; requests made within seven days of the event may not be guaranteed.
In alignment with our Community Agreement, we ask you to be intentional with your words (hateful speech or actions will not be tolerated) and be respectful of moderators, artists, and other attendees. See our full Community Agreement to read more or to learn how to report violations. We sincerely thank you for helping us create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.
The health of Sundance Institute’s artists, audiences, staff, and volunteers remains of the utmost importance to the Institute. If you feel sick, we ask that you stay home. While masks are not required, you are welcome to wear them. Masks will not be provided to all attendees but will be available upon request. Tips on Health & Wellness can be found on festival.sundance.org in How to Fest.
