Headed home from the last ‘Dance in Park City and feeling all the emotions: incredibly proud to be in the audience for world premieres from Lab filmmakers @suzanneandrewscorrea@lagosfilmgirl #ramzibashour @beth_de_araujo and @mychivas ; delighted to see @apoorvagc and @mollierachel honored with awards at the Producers and Art of Editing Celebrations; grateful to @bernardobritt0 , Olive Nwosu, @lanawilson , and Diana Williams for being part of a fantastic panel, and thrilled to see so many folks who are dear to me celebrated and celebrating at a fitting tribute to Redford. This was one for the books, and I look forward to returning to Utah next year for the Screenwriters Lab and to making our Fest debut in Boulder, where the @sundanceorg story will continue.
Take a gander at the beautiful people who have made this year’s @sundanceorg Screenwriters Lab such a magical and inspiring experience. These fellows, these advisors…I continue to marvel at how lucky I am.
So lucky to end 2025 with a wondrous trip to Japan. Such a gorgeous, delicious, vibrant place, and I could not ask for two better traveling companions. Many thanks to all the friends that gave us great recommendations. Going to try to carry this energy into 2026!
Robert Redford was a beacon, and the light shone from inside him. Of course there is much to cherish about the work he produced as an actor and director, and his political work and the way he used his considerable power to take action in support of his values has made incredible impact. But it is Sundance - and all that it represents to me, and so many of the people that I know and love, and so many people I will never know - that carries the most meaning to me. Bob (and @sundancesatter ) have given me not just my professional life, but a sense of purpose, something to believe in and hold on to through all the darkest times, and membership in a community of artists and art-lovers that has fulfilled and sustained me and made me a better person. And I know there are countless others who feel similarly. It’s hard to be a symbol - a movie star, a sex symbol, the avatar for something so many people aspire to - but he handled it with grace and charm and authenticity and generosity. I’m so sad today, but endlessly grateful. 💔
Group picture day at the @sundanceorg Producers Lab - check out our fab fellows and amazing advisors. I’ve only spent a couple of days with this group but I’m happy to report that everything’s gonna be OK, y’all. #indiefilm
Tonight was crew and staff appreciation night at the Lab. This incredible group of people make this Lab possible, and we are so grateful to call them @sundanceorg family!
Last series of @sundanceorg Directors Lab flashbacks (the party edition):
1. On set with Judith Light, Jen Tullock, and Hannah Pearl Utt (2017)
2. One of many epic karaoke finales (2017)
3. BBQ’ing with directing fellows Reí Marcus Green and Grainger David (2017)
4. Enchantment Under the Sea party (2018)
5. Barry Jenkins and Michelle Q&A, post-Moonlight screening (2018 - I think this may technically be June Screenwriters Lab?)
6. S’mores on the lawn with Hasan Hadi, Michael Leon, Yuan Yuan, Dina Amer, Neo Sora, Zandashe Brown, Laura Merians Goncalves, and Margery Kimbrough (2022)
7. Free Fallin’ (2019)
As we ramp up this 45th edition of the @sundanceorg Directors Lab, I’m continuing my walk down memory lane…
1. Post wrap circle with Eric Koretz, Bart Layton, Nia DaCosta, Lynn Shelton, Livi Newman, Dagmar Weaver-Madsen, and Chris Yogi (2015)
2. Gyula and the Joans (the holy trinity) (2016)
3. House band Pianosaurus Rex rehearsal (2016)
4. Me with my favorite comrades Shira Rockowitz and TJ Doctor (2016)
5. The glorious Tree Room brunch on the patio (2016)
6. Week 3 advisor group photo w/Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dylan Tichenor, Ira Sachs, Gyula, Bradford Young, Aza Jacobs, So Yong Kim, Michelle, and David Gordon Green (2016)
7. Riding in the back of Ducky with Kathleen Broyles, Dan Williams, Gyula, Pete Sollett, and Art Brainard (2017)
More memories from @sundanceorg Directors Labs past:
1. Circle of advisors from above: Michelle, Catherine Hardwicke, Ed Harris, JC Chandor, Kasi Lemmons, Gyula, Dylan Tichenor, Randa Haines, and Caleb Deschanel (2015)
2. Michelle and Gyula gather round the picnic table with fellows: K’naan, Meredith Danluck, Pam Romanowsky, Ian Hendrie, and Jyson McLean (2013)
3. The Daniels prep for their reading with actors Ted Tremper and Beck Bennett (2014)
4. On the MUSTANG set (in the dearly departed Wasatch Room) with actors John Carroll Lynch and Clayne Crawford (2015)
5. Sundance prom w/Emmy Rossum, Michelle, Laure de Cleremont-Tonnerre, Livi Newman, Catherine Hardwicke, and Nia DaCosta (2015)
6. Jim Mangold breaks down key sequences from Walk the Line (2015)
As I head to the 45th edition of the @sundanceorg Directors Lab, I’m inspired by @sundancesatter to share some memories from over the years:
1. Extremely rare sighting of Michelle singing karaoke with Gyula Gazdag, Caleb Deschanel, and Peter Medak (2009)
2. Sunday on the lawn with crew editors Debbie Berman, Harry Yoon, & Julio Perez (they’ve all done well for themselves) (2012)
3. Caleb Deschanel and Gregg Araki share a laugh (2012)
4. Ping pong with director fellows Jody Lee Lipes, Ariel Kleiman, and Jonas Carpignano (2012)
5. Overton view with Mari Heller, Carson Mell, and Gyula (2012)
6. Ed Harris performs with Box Canyon (IYKYK) (2013)
…with more to come soon!
Last call for my conversation tomorrow, April 17, with Neo Sora about the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Labs. The application for the 2026 Development Track launched yesterday, and we’ll be diving into all the details to help you craft the strongest submission possible. Registration is free so head over to Collab and sign yourself up. See you there!
