Actress Tessa Thompson has officially joined the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees.
The “Creed” actress and producer, along with documentarian Pete Nicks and producers Nina Fialkow and Kimberly Steward, comprise the new additions to the Board. Per an official press release, the foursome are now among the “leaders who guide and steer the entire organization and also act in an advisory capacity.”
Thompson said in a statement, “Both the Sundance Film Festival and the Institute have served as an artistic home for me throughout my career. I’m proud to expand this journey by joining the board to eagerly serve a community that has been so incredibly impactful to me and countless others.”
The new trustees will closely work with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente to usher in the next wave of rising filmmakers.
“As Sundance Institute continues to respond to the needs of independent artists,...
The “Creed” actress and producer, along with documentarian Pete Nicks and producers Nina Fialkow and Kimberly Steward, comprise the new additions to the Board. Per an official press release, the foursome are now among the “leaders who guide and steer the entire organization and also act in an advisory capacity.”
Thompson said in a statement, “Both the Sundance Film Festival and the Institute have served as an artistic home for me throughout my career. I’m proud to expand this journey by joining the board to eagerly serve a community that has been so incredibly impactful to me and countless others.”
The new trustees will closely work with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente to usher in the next wave of rising filmmakers.
“As Sundance Institute continues to respond to the needs of independent artists,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The nonprofit Sundance Institute today announced four newly appointed additions to the Institute’s Board of Trustees. Tessa Thompson, Pete Nicks, Nina Fialkow, and Kimberly Steward have joined the leaders who guide the entire organization and also act in an advisory capacity. They add to the Institute’s Board of values-based leaders, building an enduring, evolving community for storytellers. The distinguished new Trustees will work closely with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente and bring invaluable experience.
“As Sundance Institute continues to respond to the needs of independent artists, we welcome these new members of our Board, each of whom has an incredible commitment to independent film and a long history with the Institute,” said Sundance Institute Board Chair Ebs Burnough. “Together, the Board is poised to identify new and strengthened ways to uplift independent storytellers.”
“We are so pleased to have Tessa, Pete, Nina, and Kimberly join...
“As Sundance Institute continues to respond to the needs of independent artists, we welcome these new members of our Board, each of whom has an incredible commitment to independent film and a long history with the Institute,” said Sundance Institute Board Chair Ebs Burnough. “Together, the Board is poised to identify new and strengthened ways to uplift independent storytellers.”
“We are so pleased to have Tessa, Pete, Nina, and Kimberly join...
- 10/19/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Viola Davis has been selected as one of the inaugural members of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States.
The council is being established to enhance dialog between United States officials and the African Diaspora, the community of African Americans and African immigrants. It was announced by Vice President Kamala Harris during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit last year.
The council includes up to 12 members appointed by the Secretary of State, and include individuals from government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work and faith-based activities.
According to the White House, “They will provide invaluable guidance to reinforce cultural, social, political, and economic ties between the U.S. and Africa, and promote trade, investment, and educational exchanges between the United States and Africa.”
The chairman will be Silvester Scott Beaman, presiding prelate of the Fifteenth Episcopal District
serving in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola.
The council is being established to enhance dialog between United States officials and the African Diaspora, the community of African Americans and African immigrants. It was announced by Vice President Kamala Harris during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit last year.
The council includes up to 12 members appointed by the Secretary of State, and include individuals from government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work and faith-based activities.
According to the White House, “They will provide invaluable guidance to reinforce cultural, social, political, and economic ties between the U.S. and Africa, and promote trade, investment, and educational exchanges between the United States and Africa.”
The chairman will be Silvester Scott Beaman, presiding prelate of the Fifteenth Episcopal District
serving in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola.
- 9/26/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has announced the addition of Shripriya Mahesh, Lulu Wang and Patrick Gaspard to its Board of Trustees. The trio will now help steer and act in an advisory capacity for the organization, working closely with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente.
Mahesh is the founding partner of Spero Ventures, as well as an investor, experienced technology executive and filmmaker. Wang is an award-winning writer, director and producer best known for helming the A24 dramedy The Farewell, which won two Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature, upon its 2019 release. A leader in government, philanthropy, labor and global diplomacy, Gaspard serves as President and CEO of the Center for American Progress.
“The new trustees bring an invaluable depth of experience in government and civic engagement, technology and digital product development, and deep knowledge of the media, entertainment, and storytelling landscape,” said Burnough. “As Sundance’s programs continue...
Mahesh is the founding partner of Spero Ventures, as well as an investor, experienced technology executive and filmmaker. Wang is an award-winning writer, director and producer best known for helming the A24 dramedy The Farewell, which won two Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature, upon its 2019 release. A leader in government, philanthropy, labor and global diplomacy, Gaspard serves as President and CEO of the Center for American Progress.
“The new trustees bring an invaluable depth of experience in government and civic engagement, technology and digital product development, and deep knowledge of the media, entertainment, and storytelling landscape,” said Burnough. “As Sundance’s programs continue...
- 11/10/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has added three newly appointed members to the Board of Trustees. Lulu Wang (director of “The Farewell”), Patrick Gaspard (current CEO for the Center for American Progress) and Shripriya Mahesh (a founding partner at Spero Ventures) have joined the business, cultural and philanthropic leaders who steer the entire organization and also act in an advisory capacity.
They will expand the Institute’s Board of “values-based leaders,” building an “evolving community for storytellers.” The Trustees will work closely with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente.
“We are honored to have Lulu, Patrick and Shripriya join us as Trustees on the Board of Sundance Institute,” said Vicente in a statment. “Their vision and expertise offer us innovative leadership to continue to evolve as a cultural organization and deepen our commitment to the work.”
Also Read:
IFC Films Acquires North American Rights to ‘Biosphere,’ Starring Sterling K. Brown...
They will expand the Institute’s Board of “values-based leaders,” building an “evolving community for storytellers.” The Trustees will work closely with Board Chair Ebs Burnough and CEO Joana Vicente.
“We are honored to have Lulu, Patrick and Shripriya join us as Trustees on the Board of Sundance Institute,” said Vicente in a statment. “Their vision and expertise offer us innovative leadership to continue to evolve as a cultural organization and deepen our commitment to the work.”
Also Read:
IFC Films Acquires North American Rights to ‘Biosphere,’ Starring Sterling K. Brown...
- 11/10/2022
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
The Sundance Institute has added three new names to its board of trustees: Lulu Wang, Patrick Gaspard and Shripriya Mahesh. The trio will help guide and advise the nonprofit on its endeavors, including the prolific filmmaker labs and annual film festival.
Wang is an award winning director, producer, and writer behind titles like The Farewell. Gaspard is president and CEO of the think tank Center for American Progress. Mahesh is a filmmaker and the founding partner of venture capital firm Spero Ventures, a technology executive.
“The new trustees bring an invaluable depth of experience in government and civic engagement, technology and digital product development, and deep knowledge of the media, entertainment, and storytelling landscape,” said Sundance Institute board chair Ebs Burnough.
“We are honored to have Lulu, Patrick and Shripriya join us as Trustees on the Board of Sundance Institute. Their vision and...
The Sundance Institute has added three new names to its board of trustees: Lulu Wang, Patrick Gaspard and Shripriya Mahesh. The trio will help guide and advise the nonprofit on its endeavors, including the prolific filmmaker labs and annual film festival.
Wang is an award winning director, producer, and writer behind titles like The Farewell. Gaspard is president and CEO of the think tank Center for American Progress. Mahesh is a filmmaker and the founding partner of venture capital firm Spero Ventures, a technology executive.
“The new trustees bring an invaluable depth of experience in government and civic engagement, technology and digital product development, and deep knowledge of the media, entertainment, and storytelling landscape,” said Sundance Institute board chair Ebs Burnough.
“We are honored to have Lulu, Patrick and Shripriya join us as Trustees on the Board of Sundance Institute. Their vision and...
- 11/10/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sundance 2022 has officially crowned its winners. On Friday, the Sundance Film Festival’s awards were announced on Twitter via @sundancefest. Juries and audience members alike weighed in to select winners across a variety of categories, out of 84 feature films and 59 short films.
The grand jury prizes went to Nikyatu Jusu‘s feature directorial debut “Nanny,” for the coveted U.S. Dramatic title, along with Christine Choy’s “The Exiles” for U.S. Documentary, Shaunak Sen’s “All That Breathes” for World Cinema Documentary, and Alejando Loayza Grisi’s “Utama” for World Cinema Dramatic.
The Audience Awards were earned by U.S. documentary “Navalny” and Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” for U.S. Dramatic. “Navalny” also won the Festival Favorite Award.
Jusu is the second Black woman ever to win the Grand Jury Prize U.S. Dramatic, following Chinonye Chukwu in 2019 for “Clemency.”
“This year’s entire program has...
The grand jury prizes went to Nikyatu Jusu‘s feature directorial debut “Nanny,” for the coveted U.S. Dramatic title, along with Christine Choy’s “The Exiles” for U.S. Documentary, Shaunak Sen’s “All That Breathes” for World Cinema Documentary, and Alejando Loayza Grisi’s “Utama” for World Cinema Dramatic.
The Audience Awards were earned by U.S. documentary “Navalny” and Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” for U.S. Dramatic. “Navalny” also won the Festival Favorite Award.
Jusu is the second Black woman ever to win the Grand Jury Prize U.S. Dramatic, following Chinonye Chukwu in 2019 for “Clemency.”
“This year’s entire program has...
- 1/28/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
“Nanny” was the big winner at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, picking up the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition in a virtual awards ceremony Friday.
Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” was also a winner, nabbing the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic category, while “Navalny,” a late addition to the festival, won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award. The Sundance jury also recognized “The Exiles” in the documentary category and “Utama” in the World Cinematic category.
This year’s Best of the Fest announcement caps off the second year in a row in which the festival was forced to go virtual amid the pandemic.
Although the awards were announced virtually, the emotion was palpable when juror Chelsea Bernard announced that “Nanny” director and screenwriter Nikyatu Jusu had won for her harrowing story of an undocumented nanny working for a privileged couple in New York...
Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” was also a winner, nabbing the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic category, while “Navalny,” a late addition to the festival, won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award. The Sundance jury also recognized “The Exiles” in the documentary category and “Utama” in the World Cinematic category.
This year’s Best of the Fest announcement caps off the second year in a row in which the festival was forced to go virtual amid the pandemic.
Although the awards were announced virtually, the emotion was palpable when juror Chelsea Bernard announced that “Nanny” director and screenwriter Nikyatu Jusu had won for her harrowing story of an undocumented nanny working for a privileged couple in New York...
- 1/28/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The Sundance Institute announced the jury members of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, taking place in hybrid format from Jan. 20 to 30.
Comprising six juries awarding prizes for artistic and cinematic achievement, the jurors include Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), Andrew Haigh (“Looking”), Payman Maadi (“A Separation”) and more.
Chelsea Barnard, a producer on “C’mon C’mon” and “Booksmart,” serves alongside Heller and Maadi on the jury for U.S. dramatic competition. U.S. documentary competition jurors include Garrett Bradley (“Time”), Peter Nicks (“The Force”) and veteran documentary cinematographer Joan Churchill.
Haigh joins Mohamed Hefzy (“The Walls of the Moon”) and film curator La Frances Hui on the world cinema dramatic competition jury, while Cannes artistic adviser Emilie Bujès, former U.S. ambassador Patrick Gaspard and Dawn Porter (“The Way I See It”) will judge the world cinema documentary competition.
Joey Soloway, the creator, writer, director and executive producer of “Transparent,...
Comprising six juries awarding prizes for artistic and cinematic achievement, the jurors include Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), Andrew Haigh (“Looking”), Payman Maadi (“A Separation”) and more.
Chelsea Barnard, a producer on “C’mon C’mon” and “Booksmart,” serves alongside Heller and Maadi on the jury for U.S. dramatic competition. U.S. documentary competition jurors include Garrett Bradley (“Time”), Peter Nicks (“The Force”) and veteran documentary cinematographer Joan Churchill.
Haigh joins Mohamed Hefzy (“The Walls of the Moon”) and film curator La Frances Hui on the world cinema dramatic competition jury, while Cannes artistic adviser Emilie Bujès, former U.S. ambassador Patrick Gaspard and Dawn Porter (“The Way I See It”) will judge the world cinema documentary competition.
Joey Soloway, the creator, writer, director and executive producer of “Transparent,...
- 1/7/2022
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Patrick Gaspard, president of the George Soros-founded Open Society Foundation, posted an open letter to Fox News on Twitter demanding the network stop booking frequent guest Joe diGenova.
“Last night, yet again, Fox gave air time to McCarthyism. This has to stop,” he wrote.
On Wednesday night, diGenova did appear on Fox Business, where he said without evidence “there is no doubt that George Soros controls a very large part of the foreign service part of the State Department and the activities of FBI agents overseas.”
Also Read: MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski on Why Michael Bloomberg Should Buy Fox News: 'He Does Have the Money'
Gaspard called those comments “beyond rhetorical ugliness, beyond fiction, beyond ludicrous” and reiterated his comparison of the segment to McCarthyism.
He even quoted McCarthy-era attorney Joseph Welch and asked, “At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”
“I request an on-air retraction...
“Last night, yet again, Fox gave air time to McCarthyism. This has to stop,” he wrote.
On Wednesday night, diGenova did appear on Fox Business, where he said without evidence “there is no doubt that George Soros controls a very large part of the foreign service part of the State Department and the activities of FBI agents overseas.”
Also Read: MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski on Why Michael Bloomberg Should Buy Fox News: 'He Does Have the Money'
Gaspard called those comments “beyond rhetorical ugliness, beyond fiction, beyond ludicrous” and reiterated his comparison of the segment to McCarthyism.
He even quoted McCarthy-era attorney Joseph Welch and asked, “At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”
“I request an on-air retraction...
- 11/14/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Many conservative and right-wing media outlets covered the first day of the impeachment hearings by characterizing the process as a sham, a bust or boring.
But one pundit’s comment stood out: It came from Joe diGenova, who has been featured as a commentator on Fox News and Fox Business.
In an appearance with Lou Dobbs, diGenova said “there’s no doubt that George Soros controls a very large part of the career foreign service of the United States State Department. He also controls the activities of FBI agents overseas who work for NGOs — work with NGOs. That was very evident in Ukraine.” He also said that Soros “wants to run Ukraine and he’s doing everything he can to use every lever of the United States government to make that happen, for business interests, not for good government business.”
The comment was condemned by the CEO of the Anti Defamation League,...
But one pundit’s comment stood out: It came from Joe diGenova, who has been featured as a commentator on Fox News and Fox Business.
In an appearance with Lou Dobbs, diGenova said “there’s no doubt that George Soros controls a very large part of the career foreign service of the United States State Department. He also controls the activities of FBI agents overseas who work for NGOs — work with NGOs. That was very evident in Ukraine.” He also said that Soros “wants to run Ukraine and he’s doing everything he can to use every lever of the United States government to make that happen, for business interests, not for good government business.”
The comment was condemned by the CEO of the Anti Defamation League,...
- 11/14/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg publicly addressed a damaging New York Times report that raised questions about her response to mounting evidence that the social network could be exploited to disrupt elections or to spread hatred and propaganda.
The executive said she and CEO Mark Zuckerberg have acknowledged, many times, that they were too slow to respond to Russian interference during the 2016 election. But she took issue with the Times report that she sought to downplay foreign involvement, and grew angry when Facebook’s chief security officer, Alex Stamos, had directed a team to scrutinize the extent of Russian activity on the platform.
“To suggest that we weren’t interested in knowing the truth, or we wanted to hide what we knew, or that we tried to prevent investigations, is simply untrue,” Sandberg wrote tonight in a Facebook post. “The allegations saying I personally stood in the way are also just plain wrong.
The executive said she and CEO Mark Zuckerberg have acknowledged, many times, that they were too slow to respond to Russian interference during the 2016 election. But she took issue with the Times report that she sought to downplay foreign involvement, and grew angry when Facebook’s chief security officer, Alex Stamos, had directed a team to scrutinize the extent of Russian activity on the platform.
“To suggest that we weren’t interested in knowing the truth, or we wanted to hide what we knew, or that we tried to prevent investigations, is simply untrue,” Sandberg wrote tonight in a Facebook post. “The allegations saying I personally stood in the way are also just plain wrong.
- 11/16/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer hasn’t shied away from repping the #TimesUp movement throughout this year’s awards season – she appeared on the Golden Globes red carpet wearing all black, alongside her good friend Jessica Chastain – but she’s also eager for the movement to be as prudent and savvy as possible.
As part of Sundance’s conversation section “Power of Story,” Spencer participated in a Friday afternoon panel alongside other creators and thinkers, including actress and “Insecure” creator Issa Rae, tech evangelist Megan Smith, Open Society Foundations president Patrick Gaspard, and Killer Films founder Christine Vachon, for a discussion moderated by Washington Post journalist Sarah Ellison. The theme of the chat was “culture shift,” and sought to discuss the various ways that their work plus “the power of media and the role creative choices play in shifting culture and crystallizing the national conversation.”
Read More:Sundance Questions: Here’s What...
As part of Sundance’s conversation section “Power of Story,” Spencer participated in a Friday afternoon panel alongside other creators and thinkers, including actress and “Insecure” creator Issa Rae, tech evangelist Megan Smith, Open Society Foundations president Patrick Gaspard, and Killer Films founder Christine Vachon, for a discussion moderated by Washington Post journalist Sarah Ellison. The theme of the chat was “culture shift,” and sought to discuss the various ways that their work plus “the power of media and the role creative choices play in shifting culture and crystallizing the national conversation.”
Read More:Sundance Questions: Here’s What...
- 1/19/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Catherine Hardwicke and Taika Waititi are heading to the 2018 Sundance Film Festival to discuss their work and the power of media, it was announced Thursday. DuVernay, Patrick Gaspard, Rae, Megan Smith and Christine Vachon will speak on a panel titled “Power of Story: Culture Shift” to talk about their work as well as the role of creative choices in our ever-shifting culture. The conversation will be led by Washington Post journalist Sarah Ellison on Jan. 19. Hardwicke, Waititi and Justin Lin will talk about the advantages and challenges of moving...
- 1/11/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
var brightcovevideoid = '2900112162001'; Former South African president Nelson Mandela was buried Sunday after a funeral ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and fly-overs by military aircraft as well as a eulogy by a traditional leader wearing an animal skin. Mandela's casket was lowered into the earth after military pallbearers carried it to the family gravesite in the rolling hills of Qunu, the rural village in eastern South Africa, which was the childhood home of the anti-apartheid leader who became the country's first democratically-elected president. Banyanda Nyengule, head of the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha and Qunu, was one...
- 12/15/2013
- by Associated Press
- PEOPLE.com
var brightcovevideoid = '2937353304001'; Former South African president Nelson Mandela was buried Sunday after a funeral ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and fly-overs by military aircraft as well as a eulogy by a traditional leader wearing an animal skin. Mandela's casket was lowered into the earth after military pallbearers carried it to the family gravesite in the rolling hills of Qunu, the rural village in eastern South Africa, which was the childhood home of the anti-apartheid leader who became the country's first democratically-elected president. Banyanda Nyengule, head of the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha and Qunu, was one...
- 12/15/2013
- by Associated Press
- PEOPLE.com
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