Full Breakdown
Insights into the 2026 Sundance Film Festival Panels
1/22/2026, 11:17:16 AM
Overview of the Event
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will feature a series of panels hosted by Variety and Adobe, taking place from January 23 to January 25. These discussions aim to explore various aspects of filmmaking, from documentary production to audience engagement and the influence of cultural experiences on storytelling.
Key Panels and Discussions
One of the highlighted panels, “Anatomy of a Doc: The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist,” will occur on January 23 at 10:30 a.m. This session will delve into the creative decisions and production realities of documentary filmmaking, moderated by Angelique Jackson, with panelists including Daniel Roher and Charlie Tyrell, both directors of “The AI Doc.”
Another significant discussion, “Storytelling for Fans: The Future of Audience Engagement,” will also take place on January 23 at 12:30 p.m. This panel will examine how new platforms and innovative voices are reshaping audience engagement, featuring panelists such as Stacy Martinet from Adobe and actor Mason Gooding.
On January 24, the panel “Anatomy of a Film: Union County” will explore the journey of bringing a film to life, moderated by Angelique Jackson. This session will include insights from various contributors to “Union County,” including director Adam Meeks and actor Will Poulter.
Cultural Influence on Storytelling
A notable panel, “Culture & Storytelling,” will be held on January 25, featuring creatives like Molly Ringwald and Danielle Brooks. This discussion will focus on how cultural immersion impacts character development and narrative design in filmmaking. Moderated by Matt Donnelly, the panel aims to provide insights into the intersection of culture and creativity, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in storytelling.
Katie Casey, AVP of global marketing at Hyatt, expressed the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Our collaboration with Variety at the Sundance Film Festival reflects World of Hyatt’s deep commitment to supporting creativity, storytelling, and the communities that bring culture to life.”
Official Statements & Responses
Dea Lawrence, publisher and co-president of Variety, remarked on the partnership with Adobe, highlighting the importance of in-depth conversations that elevate filmmaking discussions. “We look forward to the six thought-provoking panels we’re bringing to the mountaintop,” she stated.
What's Next
Following the festival, coverage of the panel discussions will be published on Variety.com and its social media platforms, allowing a broader audience to engage with the insights shared during the event.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our collaboration with Variety at the Sundance Film Festival reflects World of Hyatt’s deep commitment to supporting creativity, storytelling, and the communities that bring culture to life,” — Katie Casey, AVP of Global Marketing, Hyatt.
- “We look forward to the six thought-provoking panels we’re bringing to the mountaintop.” — Dea Lawrence, Publisher and Co-President, Variety.
