NYWIFT Blog

Pedro Pascal, Normani, Jay Ellis, Dominique Thorne, David Alan Grier, Jack Champion, Ji-Young Yoo, Michelle Farrah Huang, Directors Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden and Carlos Lopez Estrada, Producers Poppy Hanks, Debra Martin Chase and Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Others Confirmed to Attend

Lodge to Host Guests from January 19–21, 2024 on Heber Avenue in Park City, UT

By Tammy Reese

The MACRO Lodge at Sundance Film Festival (www.StayMACRO.com), hosted by MACRO Founder & CEO Charles D. King (Mudbound, Judas and the Black Messiah) and his wife Stacey Walker King, Chief Brand Officer of the company, returns to the Sundance Film Festival for its seventh annual showcase of panels and parties at the iconic film festival to champion inclusion and people of color at its prime location at 136 Heber Avenue in Park City, UT with three days of programming.

Featured events from January 19–21, 2024 will include appearances by David Alan Grier, Demario Driver, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Jay Ellis, Ji-Young Yoo, Justice Smith, Keir Gilchrist, Michelle Farrah Huang, Normani, Pedro Pascal, Too $hort, director/writer/producers Anna Boden, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Dawn Porter, Kobi Libii and Ryan Fleck, producers Datari Turner, Debby Wolfe, Debra Martin Chase, Jelani Johnson, Leah Smith, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Poppy Hanks, Sonja Warfield and more.

Midnight MACRO, MACRO’s annual late night bash and signature invitation-only party event will return and take place on Friday night.

MACRO is a sustaining sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival for the second year in a row.

Below is a partial listing of The 7th Annual MACRO Lodge at Sundance Film Festival itinerary. Attendance is available daily on a first come/first served basis until the lodge is at capacity.

Friday, January 19, 2024

12:00–3:00pm

MACRO Lodge Open House

Eat-drink-vibe at the opening of the MACRO Lodge in celebration of all things Freaky Tales. Light bites and Ketel One libations inspired by the MACRO/eOnefilm.

3:00pm-3:45pm

Freaky Tales. Conversation with Directors, Screenwriters and Producers: Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden. Cast: Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Ji-Young Yoo, Jack Champion, Keir Gilchrist, Michelle Farrah Huang & Demario Driver. Producers Poppy Hanks & Jelani Johnson. Moderated by Charles D. King, Founder & CEO, MACRO.

In 1987 Oakland, a mysterious force guides The Town’s underdogs in four interconnected tales: Teen punks defend their turf against Nazi skinheads, a rap duo battles for hip-hop immortality, a weary henchman gets a shot at redemption, and an NBA All-Star settles the score. Basically another day in the Bay. The incredible directors/screenwriters, cast and the producers will all be at MACRO Lodge for a lively conversation around the eOne and MACRO Film Studios film that makes its world premiere on the opening night of Sundance.

10:00pm-2:00am

Midnight MACRO Party

MACRO’s annual late night bash hosted by MACRO’s Charles D. King and Stacey Walker King is a private, invitation-only event. Confirmation of RSVP is required to be included on the guest list.

Saturday, January 20, 2024

11:00 am — 11:45 am

Crafting the Culture with NBCU’s Creative Powerhouses — Found’s Nkechi Okoro Carroll, The Equalizer’s Debra Martin Chase, The Gilded Age’s Sonja Warfield & Lopez vs. Lopez’s Debby Wolfe. Moderated by Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery 29. Presented by NBCUniversal.

A remarkable group of creators and executive producers from hit series across the NBCU portfolio dive deep into their creative processes, offering an intimate look at how they bring their unique visions to life. They’ll explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating the entertainment landscape and discuss how their body of work has shaped the culture.

12:30pm-1:45pm

The American Society of Magical Negroes. Chat with Director, Screenwriter & Producer Kobi Libii and stars David Alan Grier and Justice Smith. Moderated by Trey Mangum, Shadow & Act. Presented by Focus Features.

The filmmakers and stars stop by the lodge to discuss their Focus Features film that follows a young man, Aren, as he is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.

2:00pm-2:45pm

Luther: Never Too Much. Conversation with Director Dawn Porter & Producers Datari Turner and Leah Smith. Moderated by Journalist Danyel Smith.

The filmmakers visit the lodge to discuss their documentary celebrating the life and work of Luther Vandross, one of the greatest musical vocalists and performers in history.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

10:30am — 11:30am

No Budget Financing: Possibility or Fantasy? Moderated by Writer/Director/Producer Carlos Lopez Estrada, Founder, Antigravity Academy.

Join four trailblazing creatives discussing a filmmaking future that is affordable and accessible to all.

2:00pm — 2:45pm

Emerging Opportunities in the Africa-Caribbean Film Industries. Presented by Netflix.

The importance of discussing film opportunities in Africa and The Caribbean has never been more critical. In today’s age, where diverse voices are gaining prominence, it is imperative to explore and champion narratives from regions that have historically been underrepresented in mainstream cinema. This conversation is not just about industry trends; it’s about reshaping narratives, fostering inclusivity and amplifying voices that have long been silenced.

Go to www.StayMACRO.com for the full listing of programming and more details about The MACRO Lodge at Sundance Film Festival.

ABOUT MACRO

Launched in 2015 by Founder & CEO Charles D. King, MACRO is a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of Black people, indigenous people and people of color. The company’s multiple business verticals include film (MACRO Film Studios) and television studios (MACRO Television Studios) that finance, develop and produce theatrical and streaming features and premium television, and an in-house branding and creative agency (Brand MACRO). In addition, MACRO has a majority interest in the company’s joint venture — a full-service talent management firm (M88) and affiliated venture capital firm (MaCVenture Capital). The company’s film projects have fifteen Oscar nominations and three wins and a Grammy nomination. MACRO Film Studios co-financed the critically acclaimed Judas and the Black Messiah, Mudbound, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., Just Mercy, Sorry to Bother You, Nine Days, Farewell Amor, Blast Beat, The Land and Blue Bayou. Netflix’s They Cloned Tyrone is its most recent film. MACRO Television Studios has two critically-acclaimed Netflix series — Raising Dion and the Peabody Award nominee Gentefied; as well as the Emmy and Grammy nominated FX docu-series Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur.