SAG-AFTRA and union affiliate SAGindie celebrated the in-person return of the Sundance Film Festival with a series of events that brought together members of the film community. The festival event, which took place Jan. 19-29 in Park City, Utah, marked the first year of the union’s new partnership with the international film festival.
As part of its partnership, SAG-AFTRA co-sponsored IndieWire’s annual Chili Party alongside thermos company Stanley. The party, hosted by SAG-AFTRA member and actor Jordan Firstman (Big Mouth), was one of the first social happenings to commemorate the 10-day event, and was well-attended by emerging and veteran filmmakers and other industry insiders. SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland were both present, with Whitehair giving opening remarks.
“On behalf of SAG-AFTRA, I just want to say how much we love the indie filmmaking community,” said Whitehair. “People around the globe have stories that need to be told, and we want to help tell them. As an actor, [I hear] my fellow performers say this is the community we love and who we want to work with.”
SAGindie, which has had a longtime presence at Sundance, also hosted its two annual events, the annual Actors Only Brunch on Jan. 22 and the 26th Annual Filmmakers Luncheon on Jan. 23. Among those seen in the different crowds were actors Parvesh Cheena (Connecting) and Karrueche Tran (Claws), film producer Nina Yang Bongiovi (Fruitvale Station) and director Roger Ross Williams (Cassandro).
Since being established in 1985 by the Sundance Institute, the annual Sundance Film Festival has provided access to screenings of upcoming dramatic and documentary features, short films and episodic content. Additionally, its schedule of daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions and many other events centering on the film industry has made it popular among professionals within the film industry, including SAG-AFTRA performers.
SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival ‘IndieWire’ Chili Party on Jan. 19.
‘IndieWire’ Chili Party host, SAG-AFTRA member and actor Jordan Firstman, with SAG-AFTRA EVP Ben Whitehair.
Jordan Firstman with party guests, Nick Lieberman, and SAG-AFTRA members Molly Gordon and Ben Platt. Photo courtesy of IndieWire.
From left, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair and ‘IndieWire’ Editor-in-Chief & Senior Vice President Dana Harris-Bridson.
From left, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair and SAGindie Executive Director Darrien Michele Gipson at the SAGindie Annual Actors Brunch on Jan. 23.
From left, SAGindie Executive Director Darrien Michele Gipson, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair, actors Parvesh Cheena, Alden Ehrenreich and Algee Smith, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and actors Karruche Tran and Jordan Firstman at the SAGindie annual Actors Only Brunchon Jan. 22.
Actor Parvesh Cheena and SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair.
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