2019 Sundance Filmmakers Receptions

January 4, 2019

Independent Director Outreach Events

The DGA hosted receptions in New York and Los Angeles for filmmakers whose projects have been accepted into the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance Filmmakers Reception New York

At the Manhattan reception on December 12, Director Tom McCarthy — who was nominated for the 2015 DGA Award for his feature film Spotlight — spoke about his own experiences at Sundance and the protections that the DGA offers to independent filmmakers as they move forward in their careers, Sundance’s Festival Director John Cooper and other Sundance staffers gave festival survival tips and DGA Assistant Executive Director Mary Hatch and Field Representative Jennifer Peat explained how the Guild works with indie Directors. Also attending the NY reception were DGA members with projects at the festival including Paul Colaizzo (Brittany Runs a Marathon), Rashaad Ernesto Green (Premature), Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am), Julius Onah (Luce) and Ross Kauffman (Tigerland).

Sundance Filmmakers Reception Los Angeles

In Hollywood on January 3, Cooper and his staff repeated their festival advisory duties, DGA Senior Manager, Special Events & Independent Organizing Matt Gamarra gave more information about the Guild, and Director Nisha Ganatra — whose film, Late Night, is set to premiere at this year’s festival — discussed how the Guild has allowed her to stay true to her Indie-feature roots. DGA members with Sundance films at the Los Angeles reception included Scott Z. Burns (The Report), Rhys Ernst (Adam), Daniel Scheinert (The Death of Dick Long) and Kyra Sedgwick (Girls Weekend).

About the Festival:

The Sundance Film Festival brings original storytellers together for its annual program of dramatic and documentary films, shorts, New Frontier films, installations, performances, panel discussions, and dynamic music events. The 2019 Festival is scheduled to take place January 24 February 3 in Park City, Utah.

For more information visit their website at www.sundance.org

Pictures

photos by Marcie Revens (New York) and Shane Karns (Los Angeles)

View slideshow

Sundance Festival Filmmakers and staff meet and mingle at the DGA reception in New York.

DGA Director-member Tom McCarthy speaks about his own experiences at the Sundance Film Festival and how the Guild can protect independent filmmakers as they move forward in their careers.

Sundance Filmmakers learn about the Guild at the DGA reception in New York.

DGA Assistant Executive Director Mary Hatch and Field Representative Jennifer Peat give more information about the Guild at the DGA’s Sundance Filmmakers reception in New York.

Sundance Festival Director John Cooper offers festival tips and other sage advice during the DGA reception in New York.

DGA Director-member Julius Onah (Luce) hears festival tips from Sundance Festival Director John Cooper during the DGA reception in New York.

Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming Kim Yutani and other Sundance staff members introduce themselves at the DGA reception in New York.

DGA Director-member Timothy Greenfield-Sanders introduces himself and his film, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am.

Sundance Filmmaker Rashid Johnson (Native Son) chats with DGA Director-member Rashaad Ernesto Green (Premature) and Sundance Filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu (Suicide by Sunlight) during the DGA reception in New York.

Sundance Filmmaker Hannah Pearl Utt (Before You Know It) chats with Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming Kim Yutani during the DGA reception in New York.

DGA Director-member Tom McCarthy chats with DGA Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich during the DGA’s Sundance Filmmakers reception in New York.

Sundance Filmmakers enjoy the DGA reception in New York.

DGA Assistant Executive Director Mary Hatch chats with Sundance Filmmaker A.V. Rockwell (Feathers) during the Guild’s reception in New York.

Sundance Filmmakers enjoy the DGA reception in New York.

DGA Field Representative Jennifer Peat chats with DGA Director-member Paul Colaizzo (Brittany Runs a Marathon) during the Guild’s reception in New York.

Sundance Filmmakers enjoy the DGA reception in New York.

Sundance Filmmakers and staff members enjoy the DGA reception in New York.

Sundance Festival Filmmakers and staff meet and mingle at the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

DGA Director-member Nisha Ganatra speaks to the Sundance Filmmakers about the Guild’s flexibility at the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

Sundance Filmmakers learn about the Guild at the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

DGA Senior Manager, Special Events & Independent Organizing Matt Gamarra gives more information about the Guild at the DGA’s Sundance Filmmakers reception in Los Angeles.

Sundance Festival Director John Cooper and Director of Programming Kim Yutani offes festival tips and other advice during the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

DGA Director-member Kyra Sedgwick introduces herself and speaks briefly about her film, Girl Weekend.

DGA Director-member Rhys Ernst introduces himself and speaks briefly about his film, Adam.

DGA Director-member Scott Z. Burns introduces himself and speaks briefly about his film, The Report.

Sundance Filmmakers enjoy the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

DGA Director-member Kyra Sedgwick chats with a fellow Sundance filmmaker during the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

Sundance Filmmakers enjoy the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

DGA Director-member Daniel Scheinert chats with a fellow Sundance filmmaker during the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

DGA Director-members Nisha Ganatra and Rhys Ernst share a laugh during the Sundance Filmmakers reception in Los Angeles.

Sundance Filmmakers enjoy the DGA reception in Los Angeles.

Calendar

8/11/2025 - 8/17/2025

Sundance Filmmakers Receptions in LA and NY

Independent Director Outreach Events