Ethan Hawke, Tessa Thompson, Chris Pine, & More Stars Attend Special Sundance Tribute Fundraiser to Honor Founder Robert Redford

Ethan Hawke, Chris Pine, Tessa Thompson, Rob Lowe, and more stars attend a special tribute to Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford, who passed away at the age of 89 in September 2025.

Many actors, filmmakers, and entertainers were present at the fundraiser, titled “Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute To Founder Robert Redford” held at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley amid the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on Friday (January 23) in Park City, Utah.

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Apart from the previously mentioned actors, notable directors like Nia DaCosta, Taika Waititi, Chloe Zhao, and Ryan Coogler were present, and Patti LuPone even gave a surprise performance.

Robert‘s daughter Amy Redford was in attendance, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

“The name of the evening is Once Upon a Time. Once upon a time, there lived an extraordinary man who connected all of us in this room. We make up part of Sundance Institute,” said Ethan Hawke in an opening speech, per The Hollywood Reporter. “We make up the community, and we would not be here except for the love and appreciation that we all share for Robert Redford, for the great world that he brought and that he nurtured into being. Tonight we celebrate the true leader and I hope that we can all keep the fire that he’s starting burning in ourselves and burning out towards everybody else that we need as we go forward in our lives.”

Stay tuned to all of our 2026 Sundance Film Festival coverage right here.