Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Sundance 2026 to Feature Robert Redford Luminary Award and Festival Tribute
The Sundance Film Festival is planning a special event to honor its founder, Robert Redford, who passed away recently.
This event will happen during the last festival they will hold in Park City, Utah, before moving to Colorado.
A brand new award, called the Robert Redford Luminary Award, is being created.
The first people to receive this award will be actor Ed Harris and film mentor Gyula Gazdag.
They are getting this award because they have helped many young filmmakers through Sundance's programs for many years, just like Robert Redford wanted.
The event will be a big party with many special guests, including people who worked with Redford and made movies with Sundance.
They will also show some of Robert Redford's old movies.
Some of the festival's films will also be available to watch online from home.
The Sundance Institute will present the inaugural Robert Redford Luminary Award to Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag on January 23, 2026.
The award honors individuals who have visionaryy used their resources and insights to create possibilities and improve the world.
The award presentation will be part of a tribute event called 'Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford' during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
This will be the last Sundance Film Festival held in Park City, Utah, before it moves to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027.
The 2026 festival will feature a look back at its history and new films, with some content also available online.
- Who
- Sundance Institute, Ed Harris, Gyula Gazdag, and attendees of the 2026 festival
- What
- The first Robert Redford Luminary Award will be presented, and a tribute event will honor the festival's founder, Robert Redford, during the last Sundance Film Festival held in Park City, Utah.
- When
- January 23, 2026 (Tribute Event); January 22 – February 1, 2026 (Festival)
- Where
- Park City, Utah (Grand Hyatt Deer Valley for the tribute event)
- Why
- To honor Robert Redford's legacy and contributions to the Sundance Institute and independent film.
- Event Name
- Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford
- Award Name
- Robert Redford Luminary Award
- Award Recipients
- Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag
- Date of Tribute Event
- January 23, 2026
- Location of Tribute Event
- Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Park City, Utah
- Sundance Festival Dates
- January 22 – February 1, 2026
- Festival's Last Year in Park City
- 2026
- Next Festival Location
- Boulder, Colorado (2027)