Hollywood gathered at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley for an emotional tribute to Robert Redford, celebrating his monumental legacy as founder of Sundance Institute and champion of independent cinema.
The late Oscar-winning director’s daughter, Amy Redford, set the tone for the evening with poignant words about her father’s character.
“My father didn’t like many galas, but I have a feeling he’d like this one,” she told attendees.
What unfolded was a masterclass in how one visionary shaped modern filmmaking—and why his impact extends far beyond Hollywood.
When Rejection Becomes Mentorship
Ethan Hawke, fresh off his fifth Oscar nomination for Blue Moon, delivered opening remarks that revealed Redford’s extraordinary commitment to nurturing talent.
Hawke never actually worked with Redford on screen, but their relationship tells a different story. After auditioning for A River Runs Through It—rehearsing a monologue obsessively, waking every fifteen minutes to practice—the young actor faced rejection.
But Redford’s rejection carried something rare: genuine encouragement.
You did a brilliant job but you’re too young. But I want you to know that you’re going to have a wonderful career.
Redford didn’t stop there. He showed up at Hawke’s $10-ticket NYC stage performances and cleared Before Sunrise for Sundance’s world premiere.
He championed other people, and as you get older, you realize, ‘Oh, he had his own family. He had his own work.’ The fact that he took the time to care for all of us is so meaningful.
Redford even offered practical advice: “Stop wearing the cowboy hat. People will think you’re losing your hair.” Hawke appeared at the tribute sans ten-gallon, for the record.
Star Power With Purpose
Woody Harrelson, who worked with Redford on 1992’s Indecent Proposal, shared how his mother—terrified of flying—boarded a plane just to meet the icon.
For some of you younger folks who didn’t live in the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s, it might be hard for you to understand what Robert Redford meant to my generation, or my mother’s generation. Robert Redford was a star in my firmament even before I dreamed of becoming an actor.
Redford’s warmth extended beyond celebrity encounters. Harrelson revealed how the actor leveraged his influence for environmental protection, personally calling an unreachable senator to stop a bill opening Montana wilderness to mining and timber.
You can believe that senator took that call and changed his tune. Robert’s contribution to protecting the environment was part of what made him a truly great American.
Building Community From Ballrooms and Box Stores
Former Sundance programming director John Cooper delivered a moving “Thank You Note” to Park City, chronicling the festival’s improbable growth.
Sundance transformed unconventional spaces into cinema magic:
- Ballrooms, synagogues, and yoga studios became screening rooms
- A big box store morphed into The Ray theater
- The Eccles Theater changed everything
- The Egyptian rooted them in history
Cooper’s tribute captured decades of chaos, triumph, and resilience—power outages on opening night, collapsed risers, falling ceilings, babies born, and even a projectionist who died.
Through it all, Park City remained constant. When the Westboro Baptist Church arrived to shame attendees, local high school students stood their ground.
Light in Dark Times
Amy Redford presented the inaugural Robert Redford Luminary Award to Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag, explaining the trophy’s symbolism.
This is about light. In times of darkness, light is hope.
She described her father as someone who “would rather be sitting with a new filmmaker, and not imposing some oppressive answer, but asking critical questions.”
He was giving forward, it was an investment in the future of the world he wanted to live in. My dad wanted to fix what was wrong.
The Ripple Effect Continues
Director Nia DaCosta remembered Redford’s declaration—”You are a director”—which sent her to cry in the women’s room. That affirmation launched careers.
Taika Waititi, who world premiered What We Do in Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople at Sundance, brought humor while acknowledging Redford’s impact.
The best thing I learned from the labs was never take notes, and that’s something I’ve carried with me for my entire life.
Additional honors went to current filmmakers carrying forward Redford’s vision:
- Chloe Zhao received the Trailblazer Award (her latest film earned eight Oscar nominations)
- Nia DaCosta was awarded the Vanguard Award for Fiction
- Geeta Gandbhir earned the Vanguard Award for Non-Fiction (double Oscar nominee for The Perfect Neighbor and The Devil Is Busy)
Redford’s legacy wasn’t built on red carpets or box office receipts. It was constructed through personal phone calls to aspiring actors, strategic calls to senators, and tireless dedication to creating space where unconventional voices could thrive.
His investment wasn’t just in films—it was in people, environment, and possibility.