What is the Robert Redford Luminary Award?

The Robert Redford Luminary Award is a new award being established by the Sundance Institute to honor individuals who have used their resources, insights, and reach to create possibility and make the world a better place, in line with Redford's vision.

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Sundance to Honor Founder Robert Redford with Tribute and New Luminary Award

Q: Who will receive the first Robert Redford Luminary Award?

Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag, two artists deeply dedicated to the Sundance Institute labs and committed to elevating bold storytellers, will be the first recipients of the Robert Redford Luminary Award.

12 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Sundance Film Festival to offer events honoring Redford, its late founder
New Robert Redford Luminary Award to be presented to Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag
2026 Sundance Film Festival to be the last held in Park City, Utah

Sundance to Honor Founder Robert Redford with Tribute and New Luminary Award

In November 2025, the Sundance Film Festival announced that it will offer a series of events next year to honor its late founder, Robert Redford, who passed away in September at the age of 89. The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, the last to be held in Park City, Utah, will take place from January 22 to February 1, 2026.

As part of the festivities, Sundance Institute will host a special event called "A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford" on January 23, 2026. The event will celebrate Redford's legacy, vision, and enduring mission to support independent storytellers. During the event, the inaugural Robert Redford Luminary Award will be presented to Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag, two artists who have been deeply dedicated to the Sundance Institute labs and committed to elevating bold storytellers.