SAG-AFTRA and SAGindie returned to Park City, Utah, for Sundance 2024. This year, the international film festival took place from Jan. 18–28, with both hosting events during the opening weekend.
Continuing its ongoing partnership with Sundance, SAG-AFTRA, alongside South Asian-centric nonprofit 1497, co-sponsored IndieWire’s annual chili party on Jan. 21. The opening night event was well attended, with SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland praising the independent filmmaking community and thanking them for their support during the union’s 118-day strike in his welcome remarks.
“During our strike against the AMPTP, Interim Agreements were an important part of our strategy, and the indie community came out in full force. You kept casts and crews employed while the rest of the industry was shut down, you helped thousands of entertainment industry workers to pay their rent and provide for their families, and you made great art,” he said. “To all of you indie filmmakers, know that your vision inspires our members and all of us are rooting for you and your projects here at Sundance, around the world and in the years ahead.”
SAGindie also hosted its annual filmmaker and performer social events that weekend. The 27th annual Actors Only Brunch on Jan. 21 and the 27th annual Filmmakers Reception on Jan. 22 were respectively hosted by actors Melissa Barrera (Your Monster), Jay Ellis (Freaky Tales) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Exhibiting Forgiveness), and filmmakers Poppy Hanks (Freaky Tales) and David and Nathan Zellner (Sasquatch Sunset). SAGindie was also a sponsor of Latinx House and a supporter of the Sundance Native Program, an initiative designed to bolster Indigenous-created stories on a global scale.
This item originally featured in the SAG-AFTRA summer 2024 magazine issue.