Park City, United States
News Desk | Entertainment
As the 2026 Sundance Film Festival opened in Park City, Utah, organizers and family members paid tribute to Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director and founder of the independent film showcase, nearly four months after his death at age 89. The festival, running Jan. 22 through Feb. 1, includes special screenings and events celebrating Redford’s decades-long impact on cinema and independent filmmaking, festival officials said.
Redford, who died Sept. 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah, built an enduring legacy both on and off screen, shaping contemporary American cinema and elevating independent voices through the festival he established in 1978. His daughter, Amy Robert Redford, spoke with TODAY about the significance of this year’s edition coming after his passing, noting the emotional resonance for family and artists alike.
The festival’s program this year mixes debuting independent films with retrospectives and tribute screenings that reflect Redford’s wide-ranging career from breakout roles in classics such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting to his acclaimed directorial work including Ordinary People. Representatives from Sundance Institute highlighted Redford’s insistence that the festival remain a platform for creative risk-taking and emerging talent.
Since its founding, the Sundance Film Festival has become one of the world’s preeminent stages for independent cinema, launching the careers of numerous filmmakers and critically acclaimed works. Festival directors underscored that this year’s focus honors Redford’s original vision, even as the festival prepares for planned expansions and new programming in future editions.
Industry figures attending the festival reflected on Redford’s influence, often describing his support for storytellers outside the Hollywood mainstream and his passion for environmental issues and artistic freedom. Friends and collaborators have noted that Redford’s contributions extended far beyond entertainment into cultural advocacy.
Robert Redford’s body of work spanned more than six decades; he received an Academy Award for Best Director and was widely recognized for his artistry and activism. During the festival’s opening events, filmmakers and critics revisited his storied career, emphasizing his blend of cinematic craft with a commitment to elevating diverse voices.
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