Jesse Eisenberg, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Beth de Araújo, and Dawn Porter will be honored at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival’s annual fundraiser, Celebrating Sundance Institute: The Boulder Debut.
Jesse Eisenberg will receive the annual Trailblazer Award, Gina Prince-Bythewood will receive the second annual Robert Redford Luminary Award, Beth de Araújo will receive the annual Vanguard Award Presented by Acura for Fiction, and Dawn Porter will receive the annual Vanguard Award Presented by Acura for Nonfiction.
The annual gala enables the nonprofit Institute to raise funds to support independent artists year-round through labs, grants, and public programs that nurture artists from all over the world.
“We are deeply honored to recognize the incredible and groundbreaking honorees at Celebrating Sundance Institute: The Boulder Debut,” said David Linde, CEO of Sundance Institute. “This year’s event will be a memorable kickoff to mark a historic first Festival in our new home, while continuing Sundance Institute’s legacy of supporting and honoring bold voices in independent cinema.”
Jesse Eisenberg has been to the Sundance Film Festival as an actor with films such as The Squid and the Whale (2005), Holy Rollers (2010), and The Double (2014), and as a filmmaker with When You Finish Saving the World (2022) and A Real Pain (2024), for which he won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic. His new film, The Debut, stars Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti.
“Every time I’ve been invited to the Sundance Film Festival, I’ve jumped for joy,” said Jesse Eisenberg. “This time, I’m jumping with joy and gratitude. I’m so honored — and surprised — to receive the Trailblazer Award.”
Gina Prince-Bythewood is a writer-director known for films Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees, Beyond the Lights, The Old Guard, The Woman King, and the upcoming Children of Blood and Bone.
“The Sundance Institute labs changed the trajectory of my life,” said Gina Prince-Bythewood. “Every single studio and production company passed on Love & Basketball. And then the labs called to invite me and the script to be a part of their world. I am forever grateful for Robert Redford’s vision to amplify the silenced voices, to champion the untold stories, and to believe in first-time filmmakers. Receiving this award that honors him is incredibly meaningful and feels beautifully full circle.”
Writer-director Beth de Araújo’s sophomore feature, Josephine, was supported by the Feature Film Program labs and won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Vanguard Award for Fiction and join the first annual celebration of the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder,” said Beth de Araújo. “The Sundance Institute community has built and fostered a home for countless artists, one that encourages us to share our stories with uncompromising vision. Without this support, I could not have started this career. I am so excited to see the Festival and the Institute programs that I hold so dear thrive and grow in Boulder.”
Dawn Porter is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and a four-time Sundance Film Festival director.
“Sundance Institute has been such a critical partner in my career path,” said Dawn Porter. “From the documentary labs to Festival premieres and so much more, my career would not be what it is without Sundance Institute. It is truly an honor to mark this new chapter with the Vanguard Award for Nonfiction!”
The 2027 Festival will be held from January 21–31, 2027, in person in Boulder, Colorado, with the at-home program available online from January 28–31, 2027, for audiences across the country.
Emceed by Stanley Tucci, Celebrating Sundance Institute: The Boulder Debut will take place on Friday, January 22, 2027, at the Limelight Boulder hotel in Boulder, Colorado.
“I am very honored to host the 2027 Sundance Film Festival’s Celebrating Sundance Institute: The Boulder Debut fundraising event,” said Stanley Tucci. “Sundance Film Festival has played a significant role in my career for close to 40 years, and I am very happy it has found a new home in Boulder so that it might continue to champion independent film.”
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