Nate von Zumwalt

Last night as part of a vibrant opening night at the Festival, artists and patrons gathered at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah, for An Artist at the Table to underscore the vital support of Sundance Institute and its filmmakers. The annual event represents a salient reminder that the non-profit Sundance Institute is empowered by its supporters, who make possible the Institute’s yearlong support for filmmakers and their stories.

More than 30 Institute-supported artists attended the gathering, which also included the world premiere screening of Whiplash and a post-screening dinner hosted by Mark Ruffalo, with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis running the kitchen. The magic of An Artist at the Table is the opportunity for supporters to meet established and emerging artists, learn about their personal journeys, and engage in conversations about the power of storytelling.

Feature Film Program Founding Director Michelle Satter, a longtime observer of the support that has graced the Institute for more than 30 years, quantified the impact. “The starting point [of support] is script, and the end point is for them to connect with audiences,” she said. “We have 23 Lab-supported films that are going to have their premieres at the Festival. I have to say that none of this would be possible without your support.”

Additional artists in attendance for the evening included Katie Couric (Fed Up), Cutter Hodierne (Fishing Without Nets), Aaron Paul (Hellion), Roger Ross Williams (God Loves Uganda), and many others. Check out additonal video and photo coverage below.