The Sundance Institute has announced a partnership with Rolex on its feature film program, with the watchmaker set to provide direct financial support and grants for Sundance’s foundational initiative.
The multiyear partnership will see Rolex act as the official partner, as well as the “exclusive timepiece”, to the program that includes Sundance’s landmark directors’ and screenwriters’ labs. Alumni of the Sundance labs include Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao and Taika Waititi.
Other programs that will fall under the partnerships include Sundance’s year-round career and professional development for emerging filmmakers, as well as project funding.
“We are honored to continue the mission and inspiring vision of our Founder, Robert Redford, who redefined cinema and provided a nurturing place for independent storytellers to develop their projects through creating Sundance Institute,” said the Sundance Institute’s Michelle Satter.
Rolex’s support is through the brand’s Perpetual Arts Initiative, which also supports the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Film at Lincoln Center.
Satter added: “We are incredibly grateful to Rolex for collaborating with us to uplift artists and their stories. Their foundational support makes it possible for us to continue to empower a new generation of independent filmmakers to bring bold, original work to life. Together, we are creating space for emerging artists to thrive and evolve through the Institute’s artist-centered development process and continuum of creative and strategic support. We are excited to grow this partnership in the years ahead.”
The news of the partnership comes as Sundance is preparing for the festival’s final year in Park City, Utah which will run Jan 22 to Feb 1, with programming planned to celebrate the legacy of the festival and its founder, the late Robert Redford.
