This year, MPI returned to the Sundance Film Festival, bringing together a group of talented filmmakers for the Advanced Filmmaker Summit. This exclusive program provided participants with the opportunity to attend early screenings of acclaimed films, engage in Q&A sessions with top directors, actors, and producers, and forge meaningful industry connections.

The experience left a lasting impact, with 98% of participants expressing satisfaction in the post-Sundance summit survey. One participant shared, “The MPI Advanced Filmmaker Summit exceeded every expectation I had. It was an incredibly valuable networking experience, both with colleagues within MPI and beyond!” Another noted, “I had a blast! The summit was a great balance of networking opportunities and MPI events.”

MPI’s presence at Sundance extended beyond the summit. Senior vice president Lana Link and MPI filmmakers Elizabeth Mirzaei and Kiera Williams were named Windrider Institute Fellows and participated in this year’s Windrider Summit, a gathering that highlights socially impactful storytelling. As part of the event, the MPI Original feature film Freedom Hair received the prestigious Amplify Award. Melony Armstrong, the film’s subject and executive producer, accepted the award and took part in a thought-provoking Q&A discussion about her journey and the film’s message of economic freedom.

In addition to these milestones, MPI hosted a networking event at Sundance, bringing together over 55 filmmakers and industry professionals. This opportunity allowed attendees to exchange ideas and build lasting relationships in the entertainment industry.

MPI’s time at Sundance brought its creative community closer together and opened doors for future collaborations. We’re excited to continue supporting storytellers who bring pro-freedom narratives to life. Want to stay in the loop about MPI’s filmmaker opportunities? Sign up for our newsletter to learn more and stay updated!