Sundance Film Festival Unveils Beyond Film Lineup: Includes Iconic Pop Documentary & Conversations with Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Eisenberg, and More
The highly anticipated 40th Sundance Film Festival, set to take place from January 19-26 in Park City, Utah, is shaping up with a lineup of exciting Beyond Film programming. The festival will feature the behind-the-scenes documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, which delves into the making of the iconic song We Are the World.
This year’s roster of Beyond Film speakers is packed with notable figures who will be showcasing their films at the festival. The lineup includes acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, talented actor Jesse Eisenberg, the talented Chiwetel Ejiofor, basketball star Sue Bird, filmmaker Dee Rees, actress Lucy Lawless, actor André Holland, director Debra Granik, actor Jay Ellis, and filmmaker Nzingha Stewart.
One of the highlights of the Beyond Film program is a conversation within the New Frontier section, which focuses on artists working at the intersection of film, art, performance, and new media. The discussion, titled New Frontier: Let’s Rebrand Artificial Intelligence!, will feature prominent figures like Rashaad Newsome, Navid Khonsari, Ari Melenciano, and Sandra Rodriguez.
The festival will also see the return of Sundance alumni such as director Miguel Arteta, filmmaker Richard Linklater, filmmaker Dawn Porter, and producer Christine Vachon. They will be part of the conversation titled Power of Story: Four Decades of Taking Chances, which will delve into their careers in independent film, the legacy of storytelling, and the importance of taking risks.
The highly anticipated documentary The Greatest Night in Pop will be unveiled by director Bao Nguyen. The film explores the creation of the iconic 1985 song We Are the World, featuring 46 music legends including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder. Following the screening, there will be an extended conversation with Nguyen, producer Julia Nottingham, and the legendary Lionel Richie.
In addition to the Power of Story conversation, the Beyond Film lineup includes the Cinema Café presented by Audible, The Big Conversation, a New Frontier conversation on artificial intelligence, and a series of events to celebrate the festival’s 40th edition. All Beyond Film events, except for Power of Story, are free and open to the public.
Kim Yutani, the Sundance Film Festival director of programming, expressed excitement about the addition of The Greatest Night in Pop to the program, stating that the film provides a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of We Are the World. Ania Trzebiatowska, the Beyond Film program curator, mentioned that these events allow audiences to go beyond the screens and connect with artists and their stories.
The full lineup and detailed information about the program can be found on the Sundance Film Festival website. With its diverse range of conversations and screenings, the festival promises to be an inspiring celebration of independent film and the art of storytelling.
