Spotlights feature conversations with high-profile film and television industry professionals who share helpful advice and insights on their career experiences and creative processes.

Join Sundance Collab for an exclusive conversation with the award-winning filmmakers of Ricky as they share their experience making and distributing their film.

Written and directed by Rashad Frett and produced by Simon TaufiQue, Ricky began as a short film, premiering at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The short was then expanded into Frett’s feature directorial debut of the same name, premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and winning Frett the Directing Award.

The film follows 30 year-old Ricky, who is released from prison after being locked up in his teens, as he navigates the challenging realities of life post-incarceration, and the complexity of gaining independence for the first time as an adult.

In this event, Frett and TaufiQue will discuss making independent films with impact, navigating film festivals, and carving your own path, while offering their advice on how filmmakers can share their stories with audiences outside of the traditional networks.

Visit this site to see where Ricky is screening near you.

If you would benefit from an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific requests. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; however, requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.

A recording of this Spotlight will be posted to Sundance Collab's Event Recording Library on the first business day after the live event. All registered attendees will receive an email with a link to view the recording at no cost for two business days after it is posted. After that, on-demand access to the recording can be purchased for $10.