Sundance comes to the Windy City

Chicago’s film scene continues to flourish as this summer it will become the first city to host a film weekend in collaboration with the Sundance Institute. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson is looking forward to this collaboration. 

“This collaboration between Choose Chicago, the City of Chicago, and the Sundance Institute is a momentous occasion for our city… This event is a shining example of our commitment to enriching Chicago’s cultural landscape and fostering an environment where the arts can thrive,” said Johnson.

The Sundance Institute, which was founded by actor and filmmaker Robert Redford in 1981, is most notable for its yearly film festival, The Sundance Film Festival. The mission of the organization has been to support and discover independent filmmakers from across the world. 

Karen Cardarelli of the Chicago Alliance Film Festival commented on the festival scene. 

“We have an incredibly dynamic and inclusive film festival scene here and look forward to collaborating with the Sundance Institute to ignite and inspire Chicago audiences,” Cardarelli said.

The city’s film scene is one that’s continued to grow with the popularity of shows such as “Chicago Fire” and “The Bear,” which both shoot in the city and at Cinespace Studios. With more than 50 festivals each year, Chicago is at the center of the world’s filmmaking community, making this event a high-profile addition to Chicago’s film events. 

From June 28 to June 30, the city will come alive with a celebration of independent artists. The event will specifically feature screenings of four films from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, including Q & As with the filmmakers, a masterclass, and a short film program for emerging and underrepresented filmmakers. There will also be a panel discussion at the Chicago Cultural Center and a presentation about the Sundance Institute, including how to apply to their various artists programs and labs.