The Sundance Institute will honor Cynthia Erivo and James Mangold with special awards at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival Gala.
Mangold, writer-director-producer of Searchlight’s “A Complete Unknown” will be honored with the Trailblazer Award, while “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo will receive Sundance’s Visionary Award. Both Erivo and Mangold’s honors will be presented at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival gala fundraiser.
According to the Sundance Institute, Mangold’s Trailblazer Award is awarded in “recognition of his unwavering dedication and notable contributions to the field of cinema,” while Ervio is being acknowledged for her “uncompromising work and notable contributions to the entertainment industry.”
James Mangold and Cynthia Erivo embody the very essence of creativity and impact within the arts,” said Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO of Sundance Institute. “James’ career reflects the heart of filmmaking: bold and authentic storytelling…Cynthia’s journey, marked by electrifying performances in every project she touches, has made her a dynamic artist who inspires and empowers audiences and creators alike.”
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“Sundance has been many things in my life,” said Mangold. “A faraway dream on a mountain, a laboratory at which I developed the script for ‘Cop Land,’ a festival at which I debuted ‘Heavy,’ my first feature, and later, a place I have proudly mentored talented young filmmakers. I am floored and flattered that Sundance thought my body of work was worthy of this honor.”
“Receiving the Visionary Award is an honor that fills me with immense gratitude,” Erivo added. “Sundance has always been a sanctuary for bold voices and transformative narratives, and to be a part of and recognized by this incredible community is deeply meaningful.”
As previously announced, the gala will also honor Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Artist Programs at Sundance Institute, for “her longstanding commitment to nurturing artists and cultivating independent film through the Sundance Labs.”
This year’s gala will take place on Jan. 24, at the new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah. The gala is co-chaired by Board Chair Ebs Burnough and long time Board Trustee Pat Mitchell.