SAGindie’s annual events recognize and celebrate independent film creatives at the noted film festival.
SAG-AFTRA affiliate SAGindie returned to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City and Salt Lake City. Its presence at the yearly international film festival not only provided networking opportunities and the chance to celebrate their latest independent projects, but to further SAGindie’s mission to connect independent filmmakers with professional talent. Representing SAGindie was Executive Director Darrien Michele Gipson.
On Jan. 26, 2025, SAGindie hosted its 28th Annual SAGindie Actors Only Brunch. The brunch was hosted by notable and rising actor performers, including SAG-AFTRA National Board member Samantha Mathis (By Design) and actors Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You), Joan Chen (The Wedding Banquet), Kiran Deol (Didn't Die), Jennifer Ehle (East of Wall), Jack Kilmer (Bunnylovr), Archie Madekwe (Lurker), Lou Taylor Pucci (Touch Me), Kali Reis (Rebuilding) and Alex Wolff (Magic Farm).
The following day was the 28th Annual SAGindie Filmmakers Luncheon. Hosting the event were directors Kate Beecroft (East of Wall), Clint Bentley (Train Dreams), Albert Birney (OBEX), Elegance Bratton (Move Ya Body), Cherien Dabis (All That's Left of You), Carmen Emmi (Plainclothes), Grace Glowicki (Dead Lover), Addison Heimann (Touch Me), Sophie Hyde (Jimpa), Alex Russell (Lurker), Joel Alfonso Vargas (Mad Bills to Pay) and Katarina Zhu (Bunnylovr).
Both events took place at Cafe Terigo in Park City, Utah.
For SAGindie, the annual brunch and luncheon events serve as an ideal means to further its work on both a national and international scale.
“We take pride in our annual Sundance brunches because they offer actors and filmmakers a bit of respite from the hustle of the festival, where everyone can decompress and connect with other artists,” said Gipson. “This year’s hosts were a particularly lovely group, and we are honored that they joined us.”
The Sundance Film Festival, the world’s largest independent film festival, is hosted annually by the Sundance Institute to showcase new works from American and international independent filmmakers. The 2025 event took place from Jan. 23–Feb. 2, 2025 in Utah.
All photos by Frank Hayes/Getty.
Gipson, far left, with hosts of the 28th Annual SAGindie Filmmakers Luncheon on Jan. 27, 2025: back row, from left, filmmakers Addison Heimann, Alex Russell, Carmen Emmi, Elegance Bratton and Grace Glowicki; middle row, from left, filmmakers Joel Vargas, Sophie Hyde, Kate Beecroft, Katarina Zhu and Clint Bentley; and front, Cherien Dabis.
From left, SAGindie Executive Director Darrien Michele Gipson, far left, with the hosts of the 28th Annual SAGindie Actors Only Brunch on Jan. 26, 2025. From left, Rose Byrne, Alex Wolff, Kiran Deol, Jack Kilmer, Lou Taylor Pucci, SAG-AFTRA National Board member Samantha Mathis, Kali Reis, Joan Chen and Archie Madekwe.