Sundance Honors Founder Robert Redford in Historic Tribute
The Sundance Institute is paying homage to its late founder Robert Redford during the first weekend of the 2026 film festival with a new award bearing his name. The Robert Redford Luminary Award will be presented January 23 at the Sundance gala at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, recognizing visionary leaders who use their resources and reach to create positive change in the world.
Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director and godfather of independent cinema, died September 16, 2025, at his Sundance home in Utah at age 89. He founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, transforming Park City into the epicenter of American independent filmmaking and launching the careers of countless directors and screenwriters over four decades.
Inaugural Award Recipients
Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag will be the inaugural honorees for their decades of mentorship in the film industry. Harris, an accomplished actor and director, has served as a creative advisor for the Sundance Institute’s Directors and Screenwriters Labs for over 20 years. Gazdag, a screenwriter and director, has been the artistic director for the Directors Lab since 1997.
A Final Celebration in Utah
This year marks a significant moment for the festival, as the 2026 edition represents Sundance’s final year in Utah after more than 40 years. The festival will relocate to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027. Beyond the new award, Sundance will honor Redford’s extraordinary legacy with a dedicated Park City program featuring artist talks and screenings of iconic films from past editions.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival runs January 22 through February 1 across Park City and Salt Lake City. His enduring influence on American cinema and independent filmmaking continues to shape the industry he helped define.
