Joanna Vicente has announced her departure as CEO of the Sundance Institute, a key organization behind the famous Sundance Film Festival. Serving for two and a half years, Vicente’s tenure saw the institute go through challenging times, especially during the pandemic when the festival shifted to virtual and hybrid formats. Board Chairman Abbes Burno praised her advocacy for independent storytellers.
In his place, Amanda Kelso, who has 25 years of experience in communications and technology, including a role at Google Creative Lab, has been appointed as acting CEO. Kelso will officially take over in April, with Vicente continuing to provide guidance until June.
Kelso expressed his confidence in the Sundance Institute’s mission-based work and its ability to positively impact the film community. The institute is renowned for its year-round programs supporting emerging artists, which have been instrumental in launching the careers of filmmakers such as Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao, and Quentin Tarantino.