Sundance Will ‘Carry on’ and Aim to Be ‘Healing and Catalytic’ Despite L.A. Wildfires

While the widespread and horrifically damaging wildfires continue to rage in and around Los Angeles, a raft of events have been canceled or postponed. One event that will carry on as initially planned: the Sundance Film Festival, which is readying to unspool its 2025 edition in Park City, Utah in less than two weeks.

Still, it seems that festival brass has not been impervious to questions about the annual event and what shape it will take while such devastation is still hitting both the city and the wider filmmaking community. On Monday morning, and following a weekend letter sent to filmmakers, one similar in tone and thrust, Sundance‘s acting CEO Amanda Kelso and festival head Eugene Hernandez sent the following letter to select members of the press:

“Dear Sundance Community,

We’re reaching out today about the ongoing, devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. First and foremost, our hearts are with everyone in our Sundance Institute community and with all affected by the unfolding tragedy. Please know that you are not alone right now; our thoughts are with you in Southern California and beyond.

Over the past few days, we’ve had many conversations with artists, volunteers, industry/press, trustees, donors, partners, and staff. The losses we’re witnessing and so many are experiencing are hard to fathom and deeply emotional. Yet, as we continue planning for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival—just 10 days away—we’re moved by the resilience amidst the devastating loss.

You are vital, vibrant members of our Sundance community, and we know that many of you have been and are being impacted by the ongoing tragic fires. Our community has a history of coming together when passion and perseverance are needed most, drawing strength from the deep bonds that make us so resilient.

Right now, we may mourn, but we also know it is important to carry on. Soon, we’ll gather for Sundance’s 41st Festival to discover a new year of films and filmmakers. Despite the challenges so many are confronting, we’re making our final preparations for this year’s Festival, as in times like these, our mission to support artists, uplift their work, and connect to communities is paramount. While it may challenge us in many ways, coming together will also empower and inspire us as we look to our future. With that in mind, we invite you to connect with us in the days leading up to the Festival. If you have been affected by the fires, and feel able or are in a space where you can, please share your situation in this form so we can understand how our community has been impacted. [Editor’s note: A link to a Google form meant to survey members of the Sundance community was included here, we have removed it.]

Sundance exists to discover artists, celebrate their work, and support storytelling that connects people through the power of film and we know that coming together as a community can be both healing and catalytic.

Please stay safe as you care for yourselves and each other.

Thinking of you,

Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO
Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival & Public Programming”

If you are interested in resources to assist those in need during the wildfires and/or are looking to donate, please check out this guide the team at IndieWire has assembled, right here.