Big news from the cool cats at Sundance Institute! 🎉 Joana Vicente, the head honcho, just dropped a bomb – Eugene Hernandez is taking over as the Director of the Sundance Film Festival and the brain behind public programming. Senor Hernandez been rocking the film scene for over 25 years, spreading love and wisdom in the world of arts.

Sundance Institute, the ultimate haven for artists for the past 41 years, is passing the torch to Eugene as they approach their fab 40th Festival in 2024. Picture this: The festival has been the holy grail for indie storytellers, a global playground for groundbreaking films that redefine culture. And guess what? Eugene is the man who’s gonna lead the charge into the next decade of Sundance magic.
Hold onto your popcorn because Hernandez is not just your average Festival Director – he’s the maestro orchestrating year-round public programming, shouting from the rooftops about the importance of indie films. He’s the wizard behind the curtain shaping the Festival’s vision and strategy, making sure Sundance stays the coolest kid on the block.

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But wait, there’s more! Eugene will be the maestro of planning and executing the Festival, both in-person and online. He’s not just about movies; he’s about creating a global and local buzz, championing artists’ rights, and sparking conversations that shake the status quo.
Starting this November, Hernandez will be part of the Sundance Institute’s core squad, reporting directly to the rockstar CEO Joana Vicente. He’ll be jet-setting between New York, Los Angeles, and the Park City office, making sure Sundance’s vibe is felt far and wide.
This guy is making Sundance history as the fourth official Festival Director. And did I mention he’s been vibing with Sundance since the ’90s? Talk about a full-circle moment! Joana Vicente is happy with this decision. Even film legend Robert Redford gave his blessing, on the new director and the whole industry is buzzing with excitement.

Eugene, the current head honcho at the New York Film Festival, is leaving his mark there too. After 12 years, he’s passing the torch and gearing up for his Sundance takeover. This guy is a jack-of-all-trades – co-founder of IndieWire, big shot at Film at Lincoln Center, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Eugene’s journey is like a Sundance movie in itself – full of twists, turns, and a whole lot of indie spirit. He’s ready to dive headfirst into this new adventure, leading artists and audiences into the next era of Sundance allure.
The Sundance Institute has weathered storms, embraced diversity, and championed indie voices. They’ve given a stage to projects like “Summer of Soul,” “CODA,” and “Get Out.” Get ready, folks – the Sundance Film Festival is gearing up for a wild ride, and Eugene Hernandez is the captain of this indie ship.




