It’s that time of year when Hollywood escapes to Park City, Utah for the annual Sundance Film Festival. Founded by Robert Redford, the week-long event aims to advance the work of independent storytellers in film and serves as a platform for multiple premieres, screenings and panel discussions.
But films are not the only draw to the mountains this time of year. There is no shortage of supporting events from star-studded suites to VIP cocktail and culinary parties. So bundle up and check out some of the hottest happenings going on during Sundance 2020.
ChefDance
ChefDance, the biggest culinary feast during the Sundance Film Festival, is returning to Park City for the 17th annual celebration of food and film converging for a cause. Founded in 2004 by LA couple Kenny Griswold and Mimi Kim, ChefDance was created to provide the perfect marriage of fine food and film. For five consecutive days/nights, ChefDance will bring together top chefs for curated meals, conversations with experts in the industry, surprise performances and musical guests. This year they have partnered with Kroger, MasterCard, Postmates, Sysco and Chameleon Cold-Brew, as well as Future Generations Now as the official charity. Other sponsors include Auberge Lodge in Blue Sky, San Pellegrino, Yellowbird Foods, SkinTē and Sugarfina, Guests will dine on delectable cuisine from top chefs including Chef Gabriela Cámara (Cala, San Francisco, Onda, Los Angeles), Michelin Chef Melissa Perello (Francis and Octavia, San Francisco, M. Giorgina, Los Angeles), James Beard Chef Galen Zamarra (The Lodge at Blue Sky, Park City) and James Beard Chef Shawn McClain (Sage, Las Vegas, Highlands Steakhouse, Detroit).
In addition to dining, ChefDance will present fireside chats on food, film, sustainability and the environment. On Friday, Jan. 24, a day of “Food Transformation” will include fireside discussions with Matt Swenson (Chameleon Coffee), Eric Edge (Postmates), Jeff Gordinier (Food & Drinks Editor, Esquire), Scott Heimendinger (Modernist Cuisine) and David Moscow (Host, From Scratch) moderated by Danielle Nierenberg (Food Tank) and Amelia Nierenberg (New York Times), brunch with Chef Alice Waters of the Edible Schoolyard Project, and a private screening with actress Olivia Wilde. In the evening, Alice Waters will be honored with a dinner by Chef Gabriela Cámara. ChefDance will also honor the Sundance film Farewell Amor, starring Marcus Scribner, Ntare Guma, Bettina Goolsby and Sanjit De Silva.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, conversations on “Diversity and Inclusivity” will include lunch with Sallie Krawcheck (Ellevest), and the launch of WUF “Voice of Dogs” featuring Cesar Milan (Teaching Cesar’s Way). At night, there will be a dinner with Chef Melissa Perello honoring Martha Stewart who will receive the ChefDance Legend Award, Sallie Krawcheck, and Jennifer Salke (Head of Amazon Studios). Skyler Griswold (Founder, Future Generations Now) will be delivering a keynote speech at dinner. Sunday’s panel will be presented by Kroger Corp., and will include a conversation on “Zero Hunger | Zero Waste” with leaders in sustainability including Gil Phipps and Denise Osterhues (Kroger), Abby Ayers (Fair Trade USA), Etienne White (Sustainable Brands), Dana Williamson (Wasteless Solutions) and Jonathan Webb (AppHarvest) followed by a Zero Waste dinner created by Chef Galen Zamarra. The Evening Hour will be honored for their premiere at Sundance with Lili Taylor, Phil Ettinger, Cosmo Jarvis, Stacy Martin, Ross Partridge, Marc Menchaca and Hannah Barefoot.
To conclude the weekend, Monday, Jan. 27 will feature a collaboration with NEXUS on “Film, Media & Impact” with NEXUS CEO Rachel Gerrol. ChefDance will also host a fireside discussion on the film Welcome to Chechnya with Director David France and producers Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Alice Henty and Justin Mikita. Dinner will be with James Beard Chef Shawn McClain and will honor the Sundance film Minari with Steven Yeun, Han Yeri and Yuh Jung Young.
Where: Memorial Building, 427 Main St., Park City
When: Thursday, Jan. 23 through Monday, Jan. 27
WarnerMedia Lodge
AT&T is returning to Sundance with a brand new name this year – WarnerMedia Lodge: Elevating Storytelling with AT&T. WarnerMedia and AT&T will come together to activate in one space for the very first time for an all-new reimagined and redesigned entertainment and culinary hotspot for filmmakers and talent this year.
WarnerMedia Lodge: Elevating Storytelling with AT&T will once again host Variety Studio presented by AT&T, featuring interviews and portraits with the festival’s top A-list actors and filmmakers. WarnerMedia Lodge will also partner with Jon & Vinny’s Italian Restaurant for another pop up culinary experience from the famed Los Angeles restaurant from James Beard Award-winning owners Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. WarnerMedia Lodge will host daily lunches for celebrities and tastemakers, premiere parties and after-parties, industry panels and cast dinners for some of the festival’s most buzzed-about titles, WarnerMedia properties and even performances from some of your favorite music artists.
New for this year, Lateral at WarnerMedia Lodge: Elevating Storytelling with AT&T will debut as a new chic, underground hotspot adjacent to the main Lodge space, with live entertainment and late-night programming, including a Sundance Kickoff Party with performances by Matt Berninger from The National and DJ Cassidy on Friday and Bootsy Bellows Pop Up hosted by David Arquette on Saturday.
Other weekend highlights in the space include the TNT Presents “Snowpiercer” Panel & Reception featuring a sneak peek footage and a conversation with stars Daveed Diggs, Lena Hall and EP/showrunner Graeme Manson, the WarnerMedia Innovation Panel & Reception: “The Impact of Innovation on Today’s Connected Consumer,” the “Miracle Workers: Dark Ages” Panel with Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni and Simon Rich, all on Saturday. On Sunday, WarnerMedia Lodge will host a celebration for the premiere of Viggo Mortensen’s film, “Falling” with music, cocktails and bites.
There will also be a custom, AT&T THANKS shipping container experience for AT&T subscribers, offering burgers, late-night pizza, s’ mores, hot chocolate, coffee and more.
When: Friday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 27
Where: 660 Main St., Park City
warnermediagroup.com, @warnermediagroup, @att, @jonandvinnydelivery, @bootsybellows
TAO Park City
TAO Group Hospitality will be returning with a brand-new edition of its highly anticipated TAO Park City. Its 12th year at the film festival, this year is promised to be bigger and better than ever. Presented by Stella Artois, the three-night pop-up club will feature beats by Brody Jenner & Devin Lucien, Vice, DJ NVM, and Chase Sound Check. In the 14,000 square feet indoor space, cocktails will be served by Casamigos and Whispering Angels will be taking over the outdoor lounge. Party-goers can even expect an igloo and an ice bar. Those with Chase cards will be able to access an exclusive preview event to be held on Jan. 23, featuring a private performance by Mark Ronson.
When: Jan. 24 and Jan. 26
Where: The Yard, 1251 Kearns Blvd., Park City
taogroup.com, @taogroup
Wellhaus
WELLHAUS, the new health, wellness and CBD/cannabis-focused event platform, which may feature products such as primovibes.com/delta-9-gummies/, will host its second activation during Sundance in conjunction with Presenting Sponsor Erba Verde Group. Located in the heart of historic Main St., WELLHAUS has partnered with three local venues to create a first-ever multi-location brand experience at the Festival: The Wellhaus Spa at the PuraVida Spa at Sky & Main Hotel; the Wellhouse Café at the Main Street Deli and the Wellhaus Lounge at the brand-new Old Town Cellars during the festivals’ kick-off weekend. The Wellhaus Spa will additionally operate unique health and wellness services for the duration of the festival week, through Sunday, Feb. 2.
When it debuted last year, WELLHAUS was the first fully-integrated health, wellness and ancillary product concept house during the festival, marking a departure from the typical mainstream consumer brand sponsor activations. Featuring the Wellhaus Lounge at OTC with exciting experiential and hospitality activations daily, and a fully integrated CBD-infusion cocktail bar—as well as spirits, wine and beer throughout the space—WELLHAUS will host film premieres, dinners, receptions, daytime experiential activities, happy hours and panel discussions on cannabis in Hollywood and other topics. WELLHAUS will mix this programming with events in support of official competition films and leading filmmakers at the festival, to provide a truly integrated and unique Main Street experience. Select activities at WELLHAUS will also be open to the festival public, including the CBD infusion bar – making this one of the most sought-after and highly trafficked locations during the festival.
Complementing the flagship Wellhaus Lounge is the Wellhaus Spa, operating through the duration of the festivals at PuraVida Spa in the Main & Sky complex. The Wellhaus Spa will offer full-range professional spa treatments to media, celebrities and the public by appointment daily. Finally, the Wellhaus Café, in partnership with the Main St. Deli, will feature complimentary health and wellness food, beverage and snack products from CBD-infused coffees to fresh-pressed juices and more each morning to help fuel festival-goers as they begin their day.
When: Friday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan.27 (Wellhaus Lounge will be open through Sunday, Feb. 2.)
Where: PuraVida Spa at Sky & Main Hotel, 201 Heber St., Park City; Main Street Deli, 525 Main St., Park City; Old Town Cellars, 408 Main St., Park City
thisiswellhaus.com, @ThisIsWellhaus
Ecoluxe Lounge
The 13th Annual EcoLuxe Lounge, produced by Debbie Durkin, will return to Park City to honor the indie spirit and America’s #1 film festival in partnership with ABC4 News, who will be hosting on-air interviews with the stars of the 2020 premieres. The eco-friendly luxury lounge is teaming up with some of their best sponsors to date, creating a high-end, relaxing and five-star retreat experience where guests can enjoy food curated by Chef Bryan Woolley, and specialty sips provided by Vavoom Vodka and Utah’s own ZolupezArtisan Beer, with sounds on vinyl by DJ Corey Cresswell. Modere, a worldwide, live-clean essential lifestyle brand, will host a Lip Bar launching CellProof ® Lip Complex in support of Vitamin Angel non-profit while Lehi Mills is launching their new line of vegan mixes serving up vegan pancakes all day and giving away boxes of mixes. K-Lab Luxury Collection is gifting their skincare collection and new BioVer-X antioxidant skin serum, Drip Hydration Park City will hydrate stars with on-site IV therapy treatments and WANAE USA will provide farm-to-shelf, tropical and tincture CBD health products, and more! Utah’s premier sign designer Shane Keil, Venus Signs Co. will add vintage, modern winter mountain event theme.
The event will also benefit non-profit Salt Lake Acting Company, an acting company that focuses on developing playwrights and projects that address hot topic issues through drama (i.e. – civil rights, liberty issues, etc.). Best in Utah’s So Cupcake will delight guests with sweetness while venue host TEKILA Mexican Grill & Cantina will serve up their famed chips, salsa and 100-year-old Mexican recipe to round out our delightful menu. Strict invite-only.
When: Saturday, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Tekila Mexican Grill and Cantina, 255 Main St., Park City
Kia Telluride Supper Suite
The Kia Telluride Supper Suite will kick-off the new decade to again command the snow-filled Sundance mountain terrain as the premier hospitality destination celebrating Hollywood’s A-list attending the busy indie film festival. The pop-up will again be located centrally on Main Street with a takeover of fine dining destination, The Mustang restaurant. Mustang’s kitchen will be taken over by Toronto’s newest hot spot dining sensation, Marbl Toronto owned by restaurateur, Peter Girges, known for Vancouver’s West Oak, Pierre’s Champagne Bar, and Twelve West. Head chef, Ryan Morrison will serve up the restaurant’s modern American bistro dishes sourced from the most sustainable, local and fresh products available.
Long-term sponsor partner, Molson Coors Beverage Company returns for its fifth-year partnership to serve Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Italy’s No. 1 premium beer. William Grant & Sons will serve as the official spirits partner featuring custom craft-cocktails from Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, as well as their premium spirit brands, The Balvenie Scotch, Hendrick’s Gin, Milagro Tequila, and Reyka Vodka. Signature creations include The Reyka Salty Slope, the Milagro Movie and the Hendrick’s How You Doin.
In addition to the evening dinners and parties (including cocktail receptions for projects such as “Professor,” “I Carry You With Me,” “The Climb” and “The Last Shift”), the Kia Telluride Supper Suite will also host the annual Collider Portrait and Media Studio during the day. Additional brand partners activating include mou, a sumptuous, cult London, hand-crafted footwear label, who will return to Park City to gift its highly coveted winter boots to Hollywood’s elite. Luxury eyewear maker ic! berlin will also be on-site presenting its latest collection of German-engineered prescriptions and sun frames to celebrity guests. Original Penguin by Munsingwear will be showing off and gifting its winter menswear styles and Laundry by Shelli Segal will showing off and gifting their latest women’s winter wear.
The Kia Telluride Supper Suite also will host The Creative Coalition‘s Annual Spotlight Initiative Awards Benefit Dinner on Jan 25. The year’s Creative Coalition honorees include Rachel Brosnahan, Julie Taymor, and Jim Gaffigan. Ashley Williams’ short Meats also will receive a Spotlight honor.
For 2020, the Kia Telluride Supper Suite will bring a fleet of chauffeur-driven all-wheel-drive Tellurides to Park City to shuttle the A-list Hollywood community to and from busy film premiere and publicity schedules. Talent scheduled to visit the Kia Telluride Supper Suite through the three-day experience includes Toni Collette, Benedict Cumberbatch, Wilmer Valderrama, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Aubrey Plaza, Carey Mulligan, Sienna Miller, Diego Luna, Christopher Abbot, Michelle Rodriguez just to name a few.
When: Saturday, Jan 25 through Monday, Jan. 27
Where: The Mustang, 890 Main St., Park City
kiamedia.com, @kiamotorsusa, @collidervideo, @marbltoronto
Legion M Lounge
For the third straight year, Legion M is heading to the Sundance Film Festival to stuff the Red Banjo Pizza Parlour with film fanatics and stuff our faces with sweet, sweet Pizza Hut ‘Za. Located right next to the iconic Egyptian Theatre, the Legion M Lounge has become a must-see stop at Sundance — partially because they are a nexus for industry execs and rising stars, but mostly because they’ve got free beer. For this weekend only, the Legion M Lounge will pack the Red Banjo to the rafters with hundreds of Legion M members, shareholders, filmmakers and celebs. The Legion M Lounge will be poppin’ for three days during the evening hours, with some blackout periods for private events. Highlights include a Friday night kickoff party, karaoke hosted by The Geek Gatsby and the Women Impacting Entertainment Reception. Anyone can RSVP via the Eventbrite link. Eventbrite tickets are good for any of our awesome events (except those that are private or closed to the public). Space is limited and admission will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Where: Red Banjo Pizza Parlour, 322 Main St., Park City
When: Friday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 26
legionm.com, @legionmofficial
22nd Annual Sundance ASCAP Music Café
A great film is a feast for the eyes and the ears. For 22 years now, Sundance and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers have celebrated film’s marriage of sight and sound with The Sundance ASCAP Music Café, featuring eight days of performances from visionary recording artists and songwriters, all held at an intimate space at the heart of the festival. Stop by to find a musical collaborator for your next project, or just to take a break from your screening schedule and grab a drink or two at the Café bar. Either way, you’re guaranteed to hear something great. This year, the Café will feature a dynamic mix of both established and emerging songwriters and artists such as Matt Berninger (of The National), Derek Smalls (formerly of the band formerly known as Spinal Tap), the bird and the bee, Barry Zito, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Matthew Koma, ZZ Ward and more, The Sundance ASCAP Music Café is open to all festival credential holders (+21 and older).
When: Jan. 24 through Jan. 31, starting at 2 p.m. each day
Where: The Caledonian, 751 Main St., Park City
ascap.com/sundance, @ascap
Canon cameras are synonymous with quality filmmaking and to celebrate their success, Canon’s Creative Studio has planned to pay tribute to filmmakers’ artistry and sheer genius by organizing a pop-up at Sundance 2020. Inside the studio, guests can touch-and-try the latest Canon gear, get headshots taken by professional photographer Michael Ori and grab snacks and coffee. Canon Creative Studio will host an invitation-only party, “Raise Your Glass to Cinematography, on Saturday.
When: Thursday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 27
Where: 592 Main St., Park City
events-canonusa.ddreg.me/Events/42061/canon-creative-studio-2020, @canonusa
The Luxury Escape at The St. Regis
The Luxury Escape at The St. Regis Deer Valley will play host to multiple film receptions over the course of two days during the film festivals. Each invitation-only event hosts special guests comprised of executive producers, directors, actors, editors, film investors, distributors, and exclusively invited VIP guests of the St. Regis. On Friday, a private dinner will be held for the cast of “The Go-Go’s.” Directed by Alison Ellwood, the documentary takes a deeper look behind the success and journey of the all-female band, the Go-Go’s. The dinner marks the official reunion of the entire band in decades. On Saturday, iIn celebration of “Black Bear,” an exclusive dinner will be held at RIME inside the St. Regis with Director Lawrence Michael Levine alongside stars Aubrey Plaza, Sarah Gadon, Chris Abbott and more. A reception for “Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia” will kick off Sunday’s events. The Miami adventure chronicles the life of Lay’n Pipe, a 47 foot TopGun Cigarette speedboat, from its conception through the end of human civilization starring a diverse cast including Adam Devine, Robert Redford, Jason David Frank, Jessica Williams, Finn Wolfhard, Casey Wilson and more. On Monday, the final reception, also held at The St. Regis, will be an exclusive reception held for “The Evening Hour” directed by Braden King and starring Kerry Bishe,’ Lili Taylor, Menchaca, Stacy Martin and more.
Throughout the weekend, the escape will also offer festival-goers an exclusive experience of breaking away from the hustle and bustle of Main St., and relax amid sponsorship activations from top luxury brands including Heineken, ONE ROQ Vodka, VIZIO, Cohiba Cigars, Damon Motorcycles, Silvercar by Audi and more.
When: Friday, Jan 24 through Monday, Jan. 27
Where: St. Regis Deer Valley, 2300 Deer Valley Dr. E., Park City,
randluxury.com, @randluxury
Park City Live Snow Fest 2020
Sundance isn’t the only festival happening in Park City this week. Snow Fest, held in association with Nighttime at Park City Live, is a killer multi-day music event featuring headliners such as Wiz Khalifa, The Chainsmokers, Tiësto and Kaskade. Lil Jon will kick off the festivities Thursday with his official Film Fest B-Day Party.
When: Thursday, Jan 23 through Friday, Jan. 31
Where: 427 Main St., Park City, Utah,
Parkcitylive.net, @parkcityliveutah
Acura Festival Village
For a decade, Acura has supported creativity through film and celebrated innovative accomplishments by sponsoring the iconic Sundance Film Festival. The Acura Festival Village provides a central place for festival attendees to relax, refuel, and connect with others. The full Acura model lineup will be on display for guests to check out while sipping Stella Artois beer and High West Distillery spirits, popping into the special photo and charging their phones at the charging stations as needed. The IMDb Studio is located inside the Acura Village where Kevin Smith will host a collection of celebrity interviews and photo ops. The Studio will also host parties, panels, and premiers through the weekend including the premiere party for Glenn Close and Mila Kunis’ “Four Good Days” on Saturday night and for “Sylvie’s Love,” starring Eva Longoria and Tessa Thompson, on Monday.
Additionally, during the festival, over 125 Acura MDX SUVs will offer courtesy rides for the festival, film teams and talent on the streets of Park City.
When: Friday, Jan. 24 through Saturday, Feb. 1 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 480 Swede Alley, Park City
Acura.com, @acura
UTA House
United Talent Agency is hosting the UTA House at Sundance, an exclusive and invite-only destination for the agency’s clients and key partners. UTA Marketing, the agency’s entertainment consulting practice that represents top global brands including Cover Girl, Delta Air Lines, General Motors, General Mills, Google, Lyft, LinkedIn, Piaggio Group, etc., is leading the agency’s activities and programming at the private residence this year. The experience is produced by experiential agency Mirrored Media.
Programming taking place includes the Discussion on Food Inequality and accessibility hosted by Chef JJ Johnson of Harlem’s Field Trip and Lyft’s Head of Social Impact Mike Masserman, UTA Marketing’s annual Brand Leaders Dinner, in partnership with The Atlantic, Snap and Tastemade, UTA Client Issa Rae will host a celebration in honor of Creators of Color, supported by UTA’s very own head of Diversity and Inclusion, Shanique Bonelli-Moore Women In Film’s Annual Sundance Reception Panel that includes: Haifaa al-Mansour – Filmmaker, Sarah Harden – CEO Hello Sunshine, Emily Mortimer – Actress, Producer, Poppy Hanks – SVP of Development, Macro and Effie Brown – Producer. Moderated by Shirley Li, editor, The Atlantic UTA Client Alan Ball’s Uncle Frank Filmmaker Dinner,
Refinery 29’s Celebration of Embrace, directed by UTA client Jessica Sanders and featuring Eddie Huang
The house will also be home to a special art exhibition of photographs from the incredible artist Kwame Brathwaite, courtesy of UTA Fine Arts UTA Music will be curating music throughout the weekend with DJs and a surprise special performance.
Supporting partners include Casamigos, Stella, Beyond Meat and chefs Jon & Vinny.
When: Saturday Jan. 25 at 10 p.m.
Where: UTA Marketing House
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