- The Sundance Institute has named veteran producer Joana Vicente as their new CEO.
- Vicente’s projects include “Enron: Smartest Guys in the Room” and “Coffee and Cigarettes”.
- His duties will include the management of the entire Sundance Institute, including the Sundance Film Festival.
The Sundance Institute, which hosts the Sundance Film Festival each year, announced on Wednesday the appointment of its new CEO: veteran film producer Joana Vicente, who served as executive director and co-director of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), will take on Succession in the role previously held by Keri Putnam, who led the organization for more than a decade.
Having produced over 40 films since 1994, Vicente boasts a work that includes “Enron: Smartest Guys in the Room”, “Coffee and Cigarettes”, as well as “Three Seasons” and “Welcome Home. doll, “both of which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
When Vicente becomes CEO in November, the award-winning filmmaker will split her time between Park City, Utah, Los Angeles and New York, managing all aspects of the Sundance Institute, including the annual Sundance Film Festival, the Sundance community platform. Collab and public and capacity building programs, according to a press release.
In his role at TIFF alongside co-director Cameron Bailey, Vicente revamped the festival, oversaw the organization’s digital strategy and spearheaded the creation of the TIFF Tribute Awards, an annual fundraiser honoring the accomplishments of members of the film industry. .
“While neither of us planned to plan two festivals in the midst of a global pandemic… Joana helped us navigate this new reality while doing the groundbreaking and industry-leading work for which TIFF has always been known. We are deeply grateful for all she has done for the organization and wish her the best in her future endeavors, ”TIFF President Jennifer Tory said in a statement on behalf of the board. administration of the festival. “While we know that Joana loved being a part of TIFF, we understand the desire to resume her career in independent film and reunite with her family in the United States after the pandemic separated families at- across borders for so long. “
“From the day we created the Sundance Institute, our very specific mission has been to foster independence, risk taking, and new and diverse voices in storytelling,” said the founder and president of the Sundance Institute, Robert Redford, in the press release. “Throughout her career, it is evident that Joana shares this same uncompromising vision, and we know that she has a deep understanding of the changing landscape and can reach a new generation of independent creators working more fluidly across all areas. disciplines, communicating across borders, and engaging directly with the public. ”
Putnam stepped down in August after overseeing the Sundance Institute since 2010 – a time of significant change as streamers reshaped the entertainment industry.
In January, during the pandemic, the Sundance Film Festival relied on a hybrid approach, presenting a smaller list of feature films (73 versus 120 traditional) on the Sundance online platform and on screens across the world. United States, with the intention of offering an experience next year.
