Whereas the widespread and horrifically damaging wildfires proceed to rage in and round Los Angeles, a raft of occasions have been canceled or postponed. One occasion that may stick with it as initially deliberate: the Sundance Movie Competition, which is readying to unspool its 2025 version in Park Metropolis, Utah in lower than two weeks.
Nonetheless, it appears that evidently competition brass has not been impervious to questions concerning the annual occasion and what form it would take whereas such devastation continues to be hitting each the town and the broader filmmaking neighborhood. On Monday morning, and following a weekend letter despatched to filmmakers, one comparable in tone and thrust, Sundance‘s appearing CEO Amanda Kelso and competition head Eugene Hernandez despatched the next letter to pick members of the press:
“Expensive Sundance Neighborhood,
We’re reaching out at present concerning the ongoing, devastating wildfires within the Los Angeles space. At the start, our hearts are with everybody in our Sundance Institute neighborhood and with all affected by the unfolding tragedy. Please know that you’re not alone proper now; our ideas are with you in Southern California and past.
Over the previous few days, we’ve had many conversations with artists, volunteers, business/press, trustees, donors, companions, and employees. The losses we’re witnessing and so many are experiencing are arduous to fathom and deeply emotional. But, as we proceed planning for the 2025 Sundance Movie Competition—simply 10 days away—we’re moved by the resilience amidst the devastating loss.
You’re important, vibrant members of our Sundance neighborhood, and we all know that lots of you may have been and are being impacted by the continued tragic fires. Our neighborhood has a historical past of coming collectively when ardour and perseverance are wanted most, drawing energy from the deep bonds that make us so resilient.
Proper now, we might mourn, however we additionally know you will need to stick with it. Quickly, we’ll collect for Sundance’s forty first Competition to find a brand new yr of movies and filmmakers. Regardless of the challenges so many are confronting, we’re making our closing preparations for this yr’s Competition, as in occasions like these, our mission to assist artists, uplift their work, and hook up with communities is paramount. Whereas it might problem us in some ways, coming collectively may also empower and encourage us as we glance to our future. With that in thoughts, we invite you to attach with us within the days main as much as the Competition. When you’ve got been affected by the fires, and really feel ready or are in an area the place you possibly can, please share your state of affairs on this type so we are able to perceive how our neighborhood has been impacted. [Editor’s note: A link to a Google form meant to survey members of the Sundance community was included here, we have removed it.]
Sundance exists to find artists, have fun their work, and assist storytelling that connects individuals by means of the ability of movie and we all know that coming collectively as a neighborhood will be each therapeutic and catalytic.
Please keep secure as you take care of yourselves and one another.
Considering of you,
Amanda Kelso, Performing CEO
Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Movie Competition & Public Programming”
If you’re inquisitive about assets to help these in want in the course of the wildfires and/or want to donate, please try this information the workforce at IndieWire has assembled, proper right here.