From Park City to Possibility: Emersonians Grow Community, Craft, and Connections at Sundance
For one week in January, Park City, Utah became a classroom without walls, as ten Emerson College MFA students and faculty immersed themselves in the Sundance Film Festival—finding inspiration in new ideas, new collaborators, and a deeper sense of belonging within the filmmaking community
The Emerson opportunity is a long-running, donor-supported trip that blends industry access, mentorship, and experiential learning, offering students an immersive, hands-on introduction to one of the film industry’s most influential festivals.
“The most important aspect is the networking,” said Hanadi Elyan, School of Film, Television & Media Arts (SOF) Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, who led the trip alongside SOF Assistant Professor Thato Mwosa. “Standing in line, meeting people randomly, and hopefully finding collaborators for the future.”
The Emerson Advantage
During their week at Sundance, participants—who are selected from Emerson’s Film and Media Arts MFA and Writing for Film and Television MFA programs—are encouraged to make at least three meaningful industry connections, identify producers or studios aligned with their creative sensibilities, and practice navigating festivals with professionalism and intention.
That guidance proved invaluable for Thomas Brady, MFA ’26, who saw the trip as a chance to shape his upcoming thesis project.
“I wanted to network with the Emerson Mafia, [who] had a strong presence at the festival,” said Brady. “I was able to meet filmmakers and have conversations about their films in the festival because of my Emerson connections.”
The trip was made possible through the generosity of Andrea Montoni ’78, a member of Emerson’s Board of Trustees, providing students lodging, structured programming, and a modest stipend.
Before leaving for Park City, students were provided a guide of best practices for attending Sundance Film Festival as a college group. The guide included preparing for the weather, understanding the ticketing system, exploring beyond the screenings, taking advantage of specific programming for students and emerging artists, having nightly debriefs, and more.
“Sundance can be very overwhelming. There’s so much happening, and you can get lost in the mix very easily,” said Elyan. “Going there with a delegation that knows what they’re doing, that can guide you and introduce you to people, is a great opportunity.”
Blending Structure with Independence
Each morning at Sundance began with a casual breakfast conversation featuring an industry professional—sometimes an Emerson alum—giving students direct access to working filmmakers, producers, and creatives. From there, students charted their own paths: attending screenings, panels, discussions, networking events, and alumni gatherings such as the Emerson College-sponsored premiere party for Chasing Summer, which was written by and stars Iliza Shlesinger ’05.
Brady said he attended multiple shorts programs and screenings, but found that some of the most meaningful connections happened in the most unexpected places– including on the bus.
“It’s the best place to meet people,” he said. “It is amazing the connections I made in transit.”
Tushar Gidwani, MFA ’26, said Sundance was less about checking films off a list and more about building relationships.
“As a filmmaker in film school—watching films is not why you should go,” said Gidwani. “I went to the festival with no film tickets, and have come back with a community of filmmaker friends and hap-chance acquaintances from all over the world.”
For Elyan, that outcome is exactly the point. “It’s a chance to really anchor students in the film world,” she said. “To feel like they’re part of something, not just observing it.”
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