The Sundance Institute announced Thursday that Academy Award–nominated actress Kristen Stewart will be honored with the Visionary Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival’s opening night gala Jan. 24 at the DeJoria Center.
The annual gala enables the nonprofit to raise funds to support independent artists year-round through labs, grants and public programming. The upcoming Sundance Film Festival will take place Jan. 18-28, in Park City and Salt Lake City, as well as online Jan. 25–28.
Stewart will receive the Visionary Award in recognition of her work as an uncompromising artist and contributions to the field of independent film, Sundance officials said. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Princess Diana in Spencer and was the first American actress to receive a César Award for her role in Clouds of Sils Maria.
Stewart’s work as an actor has exemplified the bold, risk-taking storytelling that Sundance has championed for many years, officials said.
Throughout her career, she has had 10 films screen at the festival, including The Runaways, Adventureland, and Lizzie. She made her directorial debut with Come Swim at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. For the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Stewart will be returning with Love Me, premiering in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section and the recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, and Love Lies Bleeding, premiering in the Midnight section.
“We are thrilled to honor the immensely talented Kristen Stewart at our opening night gala,” said Joana Vicente, Sundance Institute CEO. “Kristen’s captivating performances across a wide, diverse body of work make her a truly unique talent. With over 10 Sundance films under her belt, she has always remained committed to the art of independent cinema. We are excited to welcome her back to the Festival and can’t wait to see what she has in store for our 40th year.”
“Sundance’s purity, lack of fussy pretension, and its commitment to supporting independence in an industry that doesn’t always value the radical or the sidelined is what makes it by far the homiest place for me to go see, discuss and present films,” said Stewart. “Truly honored to be acknowledged by this beloved institution.”
As previously announced, Christopher Nolan will be honored with the inaugural Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award, recognizing an artist’s dedication and contributions to independent film. The annual Vanguard Awards honor artists whose work highlights the art of storytelling and creative independence in nonfiction and fiction.
The Vanguard Award for Fiction will be presented to Celine Song, director and writer of Past Lives, and the Vanguard Award for Nonfiction will go to Maite Alberdi, director of The Eternal Memory. Journalist and producer Pat Mitchell will receive the Vanguard Award for Philanthropy in recognition of her commitment to the institute’s support and to philanthropy for social impact.