The Sundance Institute has added four to its Board of Trustees: Veteran television executive and producer David Nevins, screenwriter Scott Frank, author and academic Greg Sarris and marketing exec Blair Ligelis Stein.
“As the Institute evolves to meet the ever-changing landscape of independent film and media, the expertise of our board members is paramount,” said Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO.
Added Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute Board Chair, “Their diverse backgrounds and remarkable achievements in their respective fields will bring invaluable perspectives to our work. Greg’s deep understanding of storytelling rooted in his Native American heritage and literary accomplishments, David’s producing and industry expertise, Scott’s acclaimed career as a screenwriter and director, and Blair’s extensive experience in global marketing and brand strategy will be crucial as we continue to support and champion independent artists.”
“The Sundance Institute has long been a champion for distinctive voices and compelling narratives, and I’m honored to join the Board of Trustees,” said Nevins, who previously served as the CEO of Showtime Networks, President of the Paramount Premium Group and President of Imagine Television. “I look forward to contributing my experience in the evolving landscape of television to support the Institute’s vital mission of empowering independent storytellers across all platforms.” The exec, who most recently served as CEO of the North Road Company, has credits that include Homeland and Billions, as well as 24 and Friday Night Lights.
Frank is the screenwriter and director behind the features Minority Report, Get Shorty, and A Walk Among the Tombstone, and series like The Queen’s Gambit and Godless. He received two Emmy Awards as director and producer of The Queen’s Gambit, and two Oscar nominations for the screenplays for Out of Sight and Logan.
Said Frank, “As a longtime advisor, I’ve seen firsthand how Sundance Institute has supported a significant number of the most influential and original filmmakers of the last 40 years. The roster of highly respected artists that have been through our programs is astounding.”
Currently serving as the Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Sarris previously held professorships at UCLA and LMU in English and creative writing and is currently the distinguished Emeritus Graton Endowed Chair in Native American Studies at Sonoma State University. He is the author of Grand Avenue, which he adapted into an HBO movie that was executive produced by Robert Redford. Sarris, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, also executive produced the doc Joan Baez: I Am a Noise.
Said Sarris, “Having had the privilege of attending the Sundance Institute Writer’s Lab and collaborating with Robert Redford on the adaptation of my novel Grand Avenue, I have long admired Sundance Institute’s unwavering commitment to amplifying diverse voices and fostering authentic storytelling
“I am thrilled to join the board of trustees to leverage my experience in brand strategy and distribution to help elevate the reach and impact of independent films and the talented creators behind them,” said Ligelis Stein. A vp of marketing, U.S. distribution at Paramount, Ligelis Stein has over 15 years of media, marketing, and brand strategy experience. Before Paramount, she served as a brand strategy consultant at Interbrand and marketing strategist at Ogilvy & Mather.
The four new board members join the Sundance Institute as the non-profit is in a period of change, most notably moving its landmark festival from Park City to Boulder, Colorado. They will join the current board: Redford, President & Founder; Ebs Burnough, Chair; Sean Bailey, Vice Chair; Gigi Pritzker, Vice Chair; Jason Blum, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Philipp Engelhorn, Caterina Fake, Nina Fialkow, Jeanne Donovan Fisher, Robert J. Frankenberg, Patrick Gaspard, Donna Gruneich, Cindy Harrell Horn, Charles D. King, Ann Lewnes, Wonya Lucas, Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, Shripriya Mahesh, Pat Mitchell, Pete Nicks, William Plapinger, Amy Redford, Geoffrey K. Sands, Nadine Schiff-Rosen, Kimberly Steward, Tessa Thompson, Barry Tyerman, and Lulu Wang.
