By Monday afternoon, the buzz hit Main Street: the Seinfelds have arrived at the Sundance Film Festival.
The superstar comedian accompanied his wife, Jessica Seinfeld, to Park City for the world premiere of her Sundance documentary Daughters, held just after noon Monday at the Ray Theatre. And what an event it proved to be. “Daughters received multiple standing ovations at our sold-out premiere today,” Jessica shared on Instagram Stories along with a video showing a packed crowd on its feet. The film marks the entrepreneur, author and philanthropist’s first feature film.
Daughters, directed by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, focuses a lens on four young girls — Aubrey, Santana, Raziah and Ja’Ana — as they prep for a special daddy-daughter dance with their incarcerated fathers as part of a unique program in a Washington D.C. jail. Per Sundance literature, Daughters is a result of an eight-year doc journey for its filmmakers.
Patton serves as CEO of Girls for a Change, a nonprofit committed to advancing opportunities for Black girls. She’s known for a TEDWomen talk and as a speaker, author and, now, a co-director. Rae, who is a passionate activist for women’s rights, cut her teeth in the music video space as well as commercials. She’s directed clips for Leon Bridges, Teagan and Sara and Serena Ryder.
The 108-minute nonfiction entry, which has follow-up festival screenings on Jan. 23, 25 and 26, is part of Sundance’s documentary competition for the milestone 40th edition. Jessica has been sharing an inside look at her Sundance experience on Instagram via Stories and reposts from fellow executive producer Lydia Kives, a lawyer who has strong ties in Hollywood and is close to many stars and industry insiders (including husband Michael Kives).
“The film meaningfully challenges many stereotypes around incarceration and serves as a poignant reminder that maintaining family bonds can be both healing and empowering,” Kives posted when the film got selected for the fest. “It was a dream to be a part of this team, and to help bring these girls’ stories to the world.”
The doc’s subjects seem to be enjoying their time in Park City as they got a chance to meet Daughters executive producer Kerry Washington, seen below.
Sascha Seinfeld, one of Jerry and Jessica’s three children, is also here in Park City, and shared a pic of her mother and Kives with the caption “EP Queens.” In another post, she shared, “So proud of my mom for executive producing Daughters, a powerful, beautiful and life-changing film.” The subject matter is personal for Jessica Seinfeld as she has long focused on issues and programs surrounding fatherhood through her Good+ Foundation.
The film’s credits include other notable names. Jessica Seinfeld executive produced the documentary alongside actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton, Kives, Washington, Jackie Bisbee, Lance Acord, Harland Weiss, Dom Thomas, J.M. Harper, Morgan Clement and Hallee Adelman.
Producers include Lisa Mazzotta, Justin Benoliel, Mindy Goldberg, Sam Bisbee, Kathryn Everett, Laura Choi Raycroft and James Cunningham. Mike Hasinoff served as co-executive producer and Paul Rachman as co-producer. Companies behind the doc include Object & Animal, Epoch Films, Park Pictures, OPC and XTR.
The Sundance Film Festival runs Jan. 18-28.
