Stanley Tucci to Host Sundance Gala in Boulder

Stanley Tucci will emcee the Sundance Institute's annual fundraiser in late January. The event, titled 'Celebrating Sundance Institute: The Boulder Debut,' is scheduled for Jan. 22 at the Limelight Boulder hotel. Tucci, an Academy Award-nominated actor and director, called the invitation an honor. He noted in a Friday news release that Sundance has shaped his career for nearly four decades. He expressed happiness that the festival found a new home in Boulder to continue supporting independent film.

The gala will present four major awards to prominent figures in cinema. Jesse Eisenberg will receive the Trailblazer Award. Gina Prince-Bythewood will be honored with the Robert Redford Luminary Award. Beth de Araújo will take the Vanguard Award for fiction. Dawn Porter will receive the Vanguard Award for nonfiction. David Linde, the CEO of the Sundance Institute, said the group represents bold voices in independent cinema. The event marks the first festival in the organization's new location.

Eisenberg has a long history with the festival. He acted in 'The Squid and the Whale,' 'Holy Rollers,' and 'The Double,' all of which premiered at Sundance. He also directed 'When You Finish Saving the World' and 'A Real Pain,' the latter of which won a screenwriting award there. He is widely known for his roles in 'The Social Network' and the 'Now You See Me' films. Eisenberg said he jumped for joy at the invitation. He described the award as a surprise that filled him with gratitude. His latest film, 'The Debut,' stars Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti.

Prince-Bythewood will receive the newly created Robert Redford Luminary Award. This honor was added to the lineup in January 2026 following the death of Robert Redford in September 2025. Previous recipients included Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag. Prince-Bythewood's debut feature, 'Love & Basketball,' premiered at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. She also co-created the series 'Shots Fired.' She credited the Sundance labs with changing her life's trajectory. She said the award feels full circle given Redford's vision to amplify untold stories.

Beth de Araújo will be recognized for her second feature, 'Josephine.' The film won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize for drama and the Audience Award for drama at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Sumerian Pictures acquired the film for a fall theatrical release. Her debut, 'Soft & Quiet,' premiered at SXSW in 2022 and earned a Gotham Award nomination. She said the Sundance community built a home for artists like her. She expressed excitement to see the festival thrive in Boulder.

Dawn Porter will receive the Vanguard Award for nonfiction. She is known for documentary work, including 'When A Witness Recants.' She founded Trilogy Films and has directed four films at the Sundance Festival. Former President Joe Biden awarded her the National Humanities Medal in 2024. Her work has aired on HBO, Netflix, and PBS among other platforms. Porter called Sundance a critical partner in her career path. She noted that the organization supported her from the documentary labs through festival premieres.

The Sundance Film Festival will move from Park City, Utah, to Boulder for the first time. The event is set for Jan. 21 through Jan. 31. The fundraiser serves to support the nonprofit's mission to nurture independent storytellers. Ebs Burnough, the board chair, said the evening directly supports the institute's labs and grants. Michelle Satter, a founding senior director of artist programs, said the group is thrilled to gather in Boulder for the first time.