The Sundance Institute and the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver recently announced Mostly True Stories From the Sundance Film Festival, a one-night-only live program taking place Tuesday, September 8, at 7:30 p.m. in June Swaner Gates Concert Hall. The event will tell the story of the Sundance Film Festival through the personal experiences of the artists who have shaped, and been shaped by, the Festival. The program, presented in partnership with the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) and Denver Film, comes as Sundance Institute builds toward the Sundance Film Festival’s Colorado debut in Boulder from January 21–31, 2027.
This exciting event is a chance to share some of those rarely heard stories as we build towards our first Festival in Boulder.”
Eugene Hernández, Sundance Festival Director and Head of Public Programming
For more than four decades, the Sundance Film Festival has brought together visionary, fiercely independent artists and curious, enthusiastic audiences. As the Sundance Institute prepares for the Festival’s debut in Boulder, Colorado, this January, there’s no better way to share the history, values, and founding ethos than through the stories of its artists. Join in for an eclectic, one-night-only celebration of the formative films, memorable moments, tall tales, behind-the-scenes photos, and other archival treasures, as well as an artist conversation that will provide uniquely personal views of the Sundance Film Festival and its impact. Featured guests include filmmaker and Sundance Institute board member Amy Redford (The Guitar/2008 Sundance Film Festival, What Comes Around), writer/director Rian Johnson (Knives Out, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Brick/2005 Sundance Film Festival), writer/director Dee Rees (Mudbound/2017 Sundance Film Festival, Pariah/2011 Sundance Film Festival), producer Christine Vachon (Past Lives/2023 Sundance Film Festival, Hedwig and the Angry Inch/2001 Sundance Film Festival, Carol), Festival Director and Head of Public Programming Eugene Hernández, and more filmmakers and industry veterans to be announced.
“The history of the Sundance Film Festival is really the history of the artists who’ve participated over the decades, the films they’ve debuted, the risks they’ve taken, and the experiences they’ve shared with audiences,” said Eugene Hernández, Festival Director and Head of Public Programming. “This exciting event is a chance to share some of those rarely heard stories as we build towards our first Festival in Boulder. We’re proud to partner with the University of Denver on this event and to welcome their students and others from Denver-area campuses, as well as all Colorado audiences in general, to be part of the evening.”
Aisha Ahmad-Post, Executive Director of the Newman Center shared, “The Newman Center and the Sundance Institute are aligned in our missions to connect audiences with new stories and ideas, educating the next generation of Denver artists and audiences along the way. We are thrilled to partner with the Sundance Film Festival in their inaugural year in Colorado and look forward to deeper collaborations in the years to come.”
Tickets are now available at newmancenterpresents.com/sundancefilmfestival. Additional artists and program details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Sundance Film Festival will make its Colorado debut in Boulder from January 21–31, 2027. The Festival will bring artists and audiences together for world premieres, compelling conversations, special events, and a celebration of independent storytelling.
Sundance Institute’s Colorado Community Program is supported by Major Sponsors Acura and Adobe.
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