Unlocking Creativity: Sundance Film Festival’s Inaugural ‘Creator Day’ Marks Influencers’ Bold Shift into Mainstream Entertainment

PARK CITY, UT: Sean Evans, known for hosting the spicy interview show Hot Ones, surprised many by speaking at the Sundance Film Festival. While he’s famous for challenging celebrities like Margot Robbie and Gordon Ramsay to tackle hot wings, his presence at a film event might seem unusual.

However, Evans’ participation highlights a growing trend: influencers are increasingly making their mark at traditional entertainment events like Cannes and Sundance. According to Gabe Gordon, CEO of Reach Agency, these gatherings are vital for influencers looking to expand their careers and adapt to new landscapes.

This shift in focus led to the creation of Sundance’s inaugural Creator Day, aimed at the creator economy. Organized by BrandStorytelling, this exclusive event kicked off the festival with a full schedule of discussions and panels.

“Traditionally, Sundance has showcased long-form content and film,” Gordon remarked. “This year, they decided to fully embrace the creator community.” Instead of showcasing the newest social media celebrities, the event featured established creators like Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal from Good Mythical Morning, who have been entertaining audiences since 2012.

“We wanted seasoned talent who could share their experiences with brands and their journeys as creators,” said Pilaar Terry, COO of POV Agency. “It was important for us to represent diverse voices in the creator space.”

Other notable speakers included Jaeki Cho, who highlights small, minority-run NYC restaurants in his food videos, filmmaker and musician Joe Penna, and former BuzzFeed producer Michelle Khare. They are set to tackle topics like “Small Screen to the Big Screen: The Creator Journey from Meme to Movie Star” and “Flipping the Script: How Authenticity and Engagement Trump Traditional Advertising.”

Gordon emphasized the goal of these panels: “We aim to elevate the role of influencers in areas like filmmaking and brand marketing.” Creator Day was a logical step towards blending influencer narratives into Sundance’s broader programming.

With around 400 attendees from various entertainment sectors expected, Terry noted that the industry is increasingly welcoming creators into important conversations. “For creators, it’s all about sustainability and finding ways to stay relevant,” he said. “Being part of these discussions is essential for their growth.”

This story first appeared on Campaign US.