Sundance Institute will honor Jesse Eisenberg, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Beth de Araújo and Dawn Porter at its annual fundraiser, Celebrating Sundance Institute: The Boulder Debut, on Jan. 22.
Recognizing an artist’s contributions to independent film, Eisenberg will receive the Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award, joining previous honorees including Chloé Zhao, James Mangold and Christopher Nolan.
“Every time I’ve been invited to the Sundance Film Festival, I’ve jumped for joy,” Eisenberg said. “This time, I’m jumping with joy and gratitude. I’m so honored — and surprised — to receive the Trailblazer Award.”
Eisenberg previously attended the Sundance Film Festival as an actor for films including “The Squid and the Whale,” “Holy Rollers” and “The Double,” and as a filmmaker for “When You Finish Saving the World” and “A Real Pain.” His upcoming film, “The Debut,” will be released in theaters Dec. 11.
Prince-Bythewood is set to receive the Robert Redford Luminary Award, which recognizes artists who used their platform to create previously unavailable possibilities. The writer-director has championed new voices and independent storytelling through her films, which include “Love & Basketball,” “The Secret Life of Bees” and the upcoming “Children of Blood and Bone.”
Celebrating storytelling and creative independence in both fiction and nonfiction, the Vanguard Award Presented by Acura for Fiction will be presented to “Josephine” and “Soft & Quiet” director de Araújo, while Porter, the director of “When A Witness Recants” and founder of Trilogy Films, will receive the Vanguard Award Presented by Acura for Nonfiction.
“We are deeply honored to recognize the incredible and groundbreaking honorees at Celebrating Sundance Institute: The Boulder Debut,” said David Linde, the CEO of Sundance Institute. “This year’s event will be a memorable kickoff to mark a historic first Festival in our new home, while continuing Sundance Institute’s legacy of supporting and honoring bold voices in independent cinema.”
The 2027 Sundance Film Festival will be held from Jan. 21-31 in person in Boulder, Colo., and the at-home program will be available online from Jan. 28-31.