The 2025 Sundance Film Festival gala will be lauding Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and A Complete Unknown filmmaker James Mangold at their Jan. 24 fundraiser dinner at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah.
Erivo will be honored with the Visionary Award for her uncompromising work and notable contributions to the entertainment industry. The Grammy and Tony winner was a jury member of the virtual edition of Sundance Film Festival in 2021 and she returned to the fest in 2023 as an actor and producer of Drift. Wicked is the highest grossing feature adaptation of a Broadway musical ever at the domestic box office ($365.1M).
“Receiving the Visionary Award is an honor that fills me with immense gratitude. Sundance has always been a sanctuary for bold voices and transformative narratives, and to be a part of and recognized by this incredible community is deeply meaningful. Storytelling is the foundation of my work, and it’s a privilege to celebrate this art form alongside so many extraordinary creators. This recognition inspires me to continue championing bold, diverse stories that connect, challenge, and uplift us all,” said Erivo.
Mangold is receiving the Trailblazer Award in recognition of his unwavering dedication and notable contributions to the field of cinema. Mangold’s relationship with Sundance began in 1994, when he first participated in the Institute’s year-round artist programs, designed to support emerging filmmakers. It was then that he developed the screenplay for his 1997 film Copland at the Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Labs. His directorial debut, Heavy, received the Special Jury Prize for Directing at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival.
“Sundance has been many things in my life; a far away dream on a mountain, a laboratory at which I developed the script for Cop Land, a festival at which I debuted Heavy, my first feature, and later, a place I have proudly mentored talented young filmmakers. I am floored and flattered that Sundance thought my body of work was worthy of this honor,” said James Mangold.
“James Mangold and Cynthia Erivo embody the very essence of creativity and impact within the arts,” said Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO of Sundance Institute. “James’ career reflects the heart of filmmaking: bold and authentic storytelling. His connection to the Sundance Institute, from his early days as a participant in our artist programs to his groundbreaking work as a director, has left a lasting impact on the film community. Cynthia’s journey, marked by electrifying performances in every project she touches, has made her a dynamic artist who inspires and empowers audiences and creators alike. We are thrilled to honor James with the Trailblazer Award and Cynthia with the Visionary Award, celebrating their extraordinary achievements and the powerful stories they continue to bring to life.”
As previously announced, the evening will also honor Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Artist Programs at Sundance Institute, for her longstanding commitment to nurturing artists and cultivating independent film through the Sundance Labs. The annual Vanguard Awards Presented by Acura will be awarded during the evening to Sean Wang, writer and 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.
This year’s gala will be co-chaired by Board Chair Ebs Burnough and long time Board Trustee Pat Mitchell. The annual gala enables the nonprofit to raise funds to support independent artists year-round through Sundance labs, grants, and public programming that nurture artists from all over the world.
The Sundance Film Festival takes place from Jan. 23-Feb. 2, 2025 in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. An online portion of the lineup will stream on the fest’s website from Jan. 30-Feb. 2.
