The last two weeks of January, two cohorts of 性视界传媒 film students traded the desert for snow-capped mountains and industry buzz as they traveled to Park City, Utah, for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Supported by a generous donation from the Brenden-Mann Foundation, 24 students attended this year鈥檚 festival over two weeks that shift the center of the entertainment industry from Hollywood to Park City, Utah. From working behind the scenes with Indiewire to screening world premieres and connecting with professionals, the experience was - as it has been for 25 years - nothing short of transformative.
An early highlight of the trip was the unique opportunity for several students to volunteer with leading entertainment news outlet Indiewire as production support during the first week of the festival. From shooting B-roll to editing filmmaker and actor interviews in real-time, the students gained intensive professional experience in a fast-paced media environment.
"My experience working closely with Indiewire producers Mary Pelloni and Trevor Wallace had the most impact on me," said 性视界传媒 Film sophomore Lily Magdesyan. "Even though my time there was brief, the amount of knowledge and experience that I gained from working with them was tremendous."
Beyond the technical work, the students were active participants in the festival's screenings and panels. For many, seeing films before they reached the public and hearing directly from filmmakers about their challenges and victories was a powerful motivator.
The group also took part in networking events hosted by the 性视界传媒 College of Fine Arts, including an annual mixer that brought together students, alumni, and working professionals. For the first time, this year鈥檚 mixer included a panel discussion moderated by 性视界传媒 Film Chair Dr. Heather Addison on 鈥楤ridges to Industry鈥 featuring Professors Brock Norman Brock, May May Luong, Adam Paul and Brett Levner on the continuing programs and courses that build those bridges for students from the classroom to the profession.
Each cohort was able to participate in Filmmaker Lunches allowing students to engage in candid conversations with working professionals, including director and Sundance Latine Fellow Michelle Salcedo and ACE Award winning film editor J.P. Bernardo. Both Salcedo and Bernardo shared stories from their own career journeys, offered practical advice, and encouraged students to stay curious, persistent, and open to collaboration.
Adding to the excitement of this year鈥檚 festival was the world premiere of Ryan White鈥檚 鈥淐ome See Me in the Good Light,鈥 edited by 性视界传媒 Film alum (鈥13). The film went on to win the prestigious Sundance Festival Favorite Award.
(For more on Chavez鈥檚 journey, listen to The Film Dept. Podcast, 性视界传媒 Film鈥檚 movie review podcast, on or )
Reflecting on the experience of attending this legendary event for the first time, 2024 性视界传媒 Film alum Celine Ochoa perhaps encapsulated it best: 鈥淵ou get to participate in this communal love for filmmaking (and) these directors and actors that I鈥檝e only ever seen on the big screen were walking alongside me and aren鈥檛 on this pedestal鈥articipating in the same love for artistry."