Christopher Nolan to be honored at Sundance Film Festival's Opening Night Gala

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Sundance Film Festival has revealed that director Christopher Nolan will be honored with the first-ever Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award at their January 18, 2024, fundraiser at the DeJoria Center in Kamas, Utah. Directors Celine Song and Maite Alberdi, who premiered films “Past Lives” and “The Eternal Memory,” will also receive the annual Vanguard Award Presented by Acura.

The annual Vanguard Awards, presented by Acura, honor artists whose work highlights the art of storytelling and creative independence in both nonfiction and fiction. Previous honorees include: W. Kamau Bell, Nikyatu Jusu, Ryan Coogler, Siân Heder, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Radha Blank, Lulu Wang, Dee Rees, Damien Chazelle, Marielle Heller, Benh Zeitlin, and Boots Riley.

“Past Lives,” a gorgeous and unconventional romantic drama, is currently my favorite film from 2023. Song’s writing and direction is intelligent and sublime as the narrative plays with traditional romantic tropes with unusual results.

The annual fundraising gala supports the nonprofit’s year-round programs that help emerging artists bring their unique visions to life via labs, grants, and public programming.

"As we step into the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival, it is a distinct honor to recognize Christopher Nolan, a prodigious artist whose singular talent and remarkable body of work have made him one of the most respected filmmakers of our time. We are looking forward to spotlighting the unique voices of both Celine and Maite, storytellers we have been supporting and deeply believe in. All three of these storytellers represent Sundance’s values," said Joana Vicente, Sundance Institute CEO.

"From the Festival to our year-round programs, it is artists that have and always will be at the very core of what we do. We look forward to our guests joining us at the Opening Night Gala and, in turn, enabling us to continue championing independent storytellers and their art that adds great value to our culture."

Nolan, who saw his breakthrough film “Memento” debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001, has gone on to establish himself as one of the industry’s premier talents with the The Dark Knight Trilogy, “Dunkirk,” “Inception,” “Interstellar,” and this year’s historical blockbuster “Oppenheimer.”

This year’s gala also serves as the kickoff event for the festival’s 40th anniversary celebration. The upcoming Sundance Film Festival will take place January 18–28, 2024 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as online from January 25–28.

For more information about tables and tickets, please visit festival.sundance.org/opening-night-gala.