Kristen Stewart, known for her effortless cool demeanor, made a striking entrance at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, leaving a lasting impression during her acceptance speech for the Sundance Film Festival Visionary Award. The event, officially titled “Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years,” unfolded at the DeJoria Centre in Kamas, Utah, and was presented by Chase Sapphire.
The 33-year-old actress, a seasoned Sundance attendee with ten previous appearances, is gracing this year’s festival with two films: Rose Glass’s “Love Lies Bleeding” and Sam and Andy Zuchero’s “Love Me,” featuring Steven Yeun. Adorned in a tweed suit from the iconic French fashion house Chanel, Stewart took a brief journey down memory lane, reminiscing about her first visit to Park City and capturing the essence of the festival.
“I really love this festival — my whole life I have loved this festival. I came here for the first time 20 years ago, I realized today. I could barely speak English when spoken to. I got my first pair of Ugg boots, and I actually got to be where the cool kids were. I knew that in my bones this was just a place full of yes, in a world full of no. I couldn’t even understand why yet, but I knew it and I know that I was right,” expressed Stewart, highlighting the festival’s unique appeal.
Stewart’s acceptance speech included gratitude for the well-timed honor from a community she deeply admires. “Words were only as meaningful as the people and places that give them to you and to be accepted by the community I have admired so personally, it is so lovely and enlivening. It is so well-timed. I need this.”
The evening’s program also celebrated luminaries such as Christopher Nolan, director of “Past Lives,” Celine Song, director of “The Eternal Memory” Maite Alberdi, and benefactor and Sundance board chair Pat Mitchell. Kristen Stewart graciously accepted the prestigious trophy, marking another significant moment in her illustrious career.
