Heretic Films is proud to announce the full schedule of thought leadership summits and exclusive events for The Heretic Films Lounge, taking place during the final Sundance Film Festival in Park City from Thursday, January 22nd, through Sunday, January 25th, at 625 Main Street. The Lounge will host four days of programming, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday dedicated to essential cultural conversations: Literacy, Justice Reform, and Inclusion & Representation, respectively. Each day brings together award-winning filmmakers, cultural power brokers, and leading advocates to celebrate the art of storytelling and its power to drive change.
On the festival’s opening night, Heretic will present a night of rock and roll vibes with a live performance by Joe Sumner.
Tickets available now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joe-sumner-concert-live-music-downstairs-at-sundance-2026-tickets-1979560785598
Heretic Films CEO, Burton Ritchie, on the Lounge’s vision and impact-driven approach: “The vision for this high-concept lounge was to create a powerful engine for change—to leverage the combined force of celebrity activism, diverse thought leaders, and big media,” says Ritchie. “By building a convergence zone for these creative doers, we are not just hosting conversations; we are forging a movement focused on impact and systemic change through the undeniable power of narrative art. This year’s Lounge is about impact. We are dedicating our space to conversations that illuminate urgent social issues and celebrate the individuals and organizations creating real-world change through narrative art.”
The Literacy Summit, which kicks off programming on Friday, January 23rd, focuses on the foundational role of literacy in society, with panels addressing critical topics such as “Reading Between the Lines: Dyslexia, Disability, and the Right to Learn” (featuring speakers Dr. Nadine Gaab, Dr. Jacqueline Roderiguez, and Timothy Odegard), the school-to-prison pipeline, and the future of AI in learning. Helping to anchor this essential day is Tanya Wright, a two-time Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award winner (Best Ensemble) for her portrayal of Crystal Burset in Orange is the New Black and creator of the Hairiette of Harlem children’s book series. “Story-driven learning that includes children, parents/caregivers, and educators is the future of education,” says Wright, who will offer an exclusive sneak peek of HAIR COMES THE SUN at the Summit—a digital immersive experience that connects adults to their own imagination as a tool for navigating real life. In conversation with Tanya will be Judy Newman, Chief Impact Officer of Scholastic and Board Chair of Impact Reading. The Summit is presented in partnership with HILL for Literacy.
The summit will also include a conversation about the documentary “Left Behind” with the Director, Anna Toomey, and ABC Nightline News Anchor Juju Chang, who served as Executive Producer on the film. The film illuminates the struggles of NYC schoolchildren with dyslexia
Other speakers will include Nell Thompson, Antonio Fierro, and Terri Noland. The morning concludes with a special reading by celebrated children’s author Avi.
Film industry guests of all types can also attend the Breakfast Filmmaking Mixer hosted by Jason Waggenspack, Film Louisiana, and SAG-AFTRA Arizona-Utah. Full Armor Productions is an anchoring sponsor.
Film industry guests of all types can also attend the Breakfast Filmmaking Mixer hosted by Jason Waggenspack—Head of Possibilities at The Ranch Film Studios and President of Film Louisiana—alongside SAG-AFTRA Arizona-Utah, with Full Armor Productions serving as an anchoring sponsor and founders Frank and Kathleen Monteleone, actor-writer-director-producers behind a true story incarceration feature, participating as panelists to discuss the intersection of filmmaking and personal reckoning within the criminal system.
The Justice Reform Summit, which takes place on Saturday, January 24th, highlights the intersection of media and the criminal justice system. The day is anchored by the Second Chance Business Coalition and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ), underscoring the commitment to systemic reform and reentry. The summit is led by Noella Sudbury, J.D., Founder & CEO of Rasa Legal, a leading voice in data-driven justice reform and the architect of Utah’s successful Clean Slate law. Key panels include “Filmmaking and the Arts in Prison,” which brings together cultural leaders and filmmakers from projects like the documentary BEYOND and the San Quentin Film Festival co-founder Rahsaan Thomas. The conversation “How Stories Spark Change for Justice Reform” features Emmy winner Dan Slepian and exoneree Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, whose collaboration on The Sing Sing Chronicles is reshaping the national discussion on wrongful convictions and mass incarceration. Dr. Shaneva D. McReynolds will speak to the state of criminal justice nationally from her vantage as President of a leading sentencing reform organization, FAMM, and as a wife who helped overturn her husband’s 235-month federal prison sentence.
The final day focuses on Inclusion and Representation in film and the wider industry. Programming will include the “Spotlight on San Francisco Fireside Chat & Lunch” in partnership with Film SF, exploring the city’s role in the festival and production. Panels will delve into destigmatizing mental health in Hollywood with “The Art of Vulnerability: Mental Health & Neurodivergence in Filmmaking,” examining “LGBTQIA+ Representation in Film,” “Reclaiming History: The Black Filmmaking Experience,” and “Breaking Through Genre – Asian Perspectives in Film.” The day offers a forward-looking dialogue on using the cinematic lens to drive authentic representation and equity.
Beyond the summits, the Lounge will host an array of additional music, comedy, and networking events. Highlights include the ticketed Joe Sumner Concert, the private Millicent Tracey presents Joe Sumner Private Event, and two performances of Seth Herzog’s Sweet comedy show. Film industry guests of all types can also attend the SAG-AFTRA Arizona Utah Local / Film Louisiana Breakfast Mixer hosted by Jason Waggenspack, a separate evening mixer sponsored by Ramo Law & Tunnel, Inc., and late-night ticketed dance parties like the Thursday Night Disco, Friday Night Party, and Saturday Night Dance Party.
Full lineup of events can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gGWXjMtsxkEP5-7QDSZpemGfPytB571FokfOU-8BryA/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.7oblqwuy858f
