I was introduced to Park City, home to the Sundance Institute, in 2016 by Darren Walker, the former president of the Ford Foundation. I had studied film and theatre at Northwestern University and was on the board of the Steppenwolf Theatre, so with his encouragement I joined Sundance’s board of directors in 2017. I became the chair in 2021 and it has been a magical experience ever since.
Hiking views taken from Park City Trailhead, not far from the Sundance Institute © Lindsay D’Addato
There is a raw energy here, surrounded by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. It’s easy to see why Robert Redford chose this place to support diverse and unexpected voices, founding the Sundance Institute and Film Festival in the late ’70s and early ’80s. You’ll find all kinds of creatives here – from a 19-year-old first-time filmmaker from Alabama to a Ghanaian farmer-director, as well as studio heads and development executives. It’s that mix of perspectives that makes it such a powerful cultural force. The air is different in Utah, and being free from the hustle and bustle of urban centres fosters a lively exchange of ideas.
Burnough at the Egyptian Theatre © Lindsay D’Addato
Kemo Sabe, which sells traditional Western wear © Lindsay D’Addato
