NYWIFT at Sundance: In Conversation with Carolyn Hepburn
NYWIFT Member producer Carolyn Hepburn attended the 2026 Sundance Film Festival with her latest project with EPSN Films, The Brittney Griner Story. This documentary, directed by Alexandria Stapleton, explores the circumstances that led to Brittney Griner playing basketball outside the U.S. despite being one of the best players in the sport, including her harrowing detainment, unwavering determination to secure her freedom, and her advocacy for the release of other wrongful detainees. Carolyn Hepburn is an Emmy, Peabody, Gotham, and Critics’ Choice Award-winning producer who joined ESPN Films in 2022. She spoke to us about her return to Sundance, the power of her latest doc, and the ethical responsibilities of producing socially impactful work.
READ MORENYWIFT at the 2025 Tribeca Festival: Music Legends, Maternal Power, and Unapologetic Truths
The 2025 Tribeca Festival may be in the rearview, but the stories told, the icons celebrated, and the bold truths shared are still echoing through the industry and NYWIFT was proud to be part of the magic. This year, NYWIFT’s own LaKisa Renee and Tammy Reese hit the red carpet to cover several of the festival’s standout spotlight documentary premieres, each of which celebrated trailblazers who transformed their personal journeys into global movements. From ’80s pop icons to maternal rights warriors and queer faith leaders, our coverage captured the heart, soul, and grit of storytelling at its finest.
READ MORE