Justice Smith and Dylan O’Brien Among Breakthrough Artists Honored at Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is known for showcasing groundbreaking films and celebrating emerging talent in the entertainment industry. This year, the festival honored several breakthrough artists, including Justice Smith and Dylan O’Brien, at the Variety & Golden Globes Breakthrough Artists Party presented by Adobe.
Justice Smith, known for his roles in major Hollywood blockbusters like “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” and “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu,” made his debut at the Sundance Film Festival. The 28-year-old actor was thrilled to receive a breakthrough artist award, calling it a “really warm welcome” to the annual Park City event. Smith had two films premiering at Sundance: A24’s “I Saw the TV Glow” and Focus Features’ “The American Society of Magical Negroes.”
During his acceptance speech, Smith humorously mentioned his lack of awards on his IMDB page, saying, “I have a note in here to ask if this award shows up on my IMDB because all that is there is a Razzie nomination.” He expressed his gratitude for the recognition and shared his journey of rediscovering a sense of personal discovery in his work. Smith emphasized the importance of trusting his instincts and finding joy in his craft.
Dylan O’Brien, known for his role in MTV’s “Teen Wolf” series, also received a breakthrough artist award at Sundance. O’Brien had previously attended the festival 12 years ago to debut his first film, and now he returned with “Ponyboi.” The film, written by River Gallo, centers around an intersex sex worker. O’Brien expressed his gratitude for being part of such a unique project and praised Gallo for their work as a writer and creator.
Normani, who gained fame as a member of the girl group “Fifth Harmony” and as a solo artist, made her acting debut at Sundance with the film “Freaky Tales.” She shared her disbelief at being honored by Variety for her first acting role, saying, “I immediately envision my younger self being told that she’d be standing here at Sundance being honored… there’s no chance she would’ve believed me.” Normani expressed her commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging herself creatively.
Jane Schoenbrun, the director of “I Saw the TV Glow,” was also recognized at the event. Schoenbrun’s film has garnered attention as one of the breakout hits of the 2024 festival. They spoke about their journey as a filmmaker and the challenges they faced in an industry that often discourages creativity and originality. Schoenbrun emphasized the importance of art and storytelling, acknowledging the commercial pressures faced by artists.
Maddie Ziegler, known for her collaborations with Sia, received an award for her role in “My Old Ass.” The film reunites Ziegler with her “The Fallout” director Megan Park. Ziegler expressed her gratitude for being taken seriously as an actor and congratulated her fellow honorees on their films.
The Variety & Golden Globes Breakthrough Artists Party was a night of celebration and recognition for these talented individuals. Their presence at the Sundance Film Festival marks a new chapter in their careers, showcasing their versatility and dedication to their craft. As the festival continues, audiences can look forward to experiencing the groundbreaking work of these breakthrough artists and witnessing the future of cinema unfold.
