The New Indie Landscape: Navigating Emerging Tech with Joana Vicente
About this Live Online Event
The independent film ecosystem is navigating a profound era of technological transformation. While the rise of generative AI and emerging production tools has sparked vital industry debates, it is also opening up unprecedented creative frontiers for resource-strapped independent storytellers. How can directors and producers leverage these new advancements to realize highly ambitious, complex films while keeping human authorship firmly at the center?
Join us for an illuminating, deep-dive conversation with award-winning independent producer and former Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente as she introduces her groundbreaking new venture, Open Cities. Founded alongside veteran producer Jason Kliot, Open Cities is an international filmmaker-led accelerator and production company designed to guide creators from development through distribution.
In this session, Joana will pull back the curtain on the vision and philosophy behind Open Cities' integrated model, which combines rigorous narrative script refinement with hands-on, disciplined experimentation in rapid prototyping and pre-visualization technology. Drawing from her pioneering roots in the early 2000s digital film revolution and her decades leading the world’s most influential film festivals, Joana will discuss how global talent exchanges, responsible tech integration, and an ethical, human-first approach can unlock a bold new wave of auteur-driven cinema.
If you are looking to understand how industry leaders are experimenting and evolving, this event will reshape how you view the future of independent storytelling.
Topics will include:
- The evolving landscape of independent film and the need for new models that better support creators navigating an increasingly complex ecosystem.
- The vision behind Open Cities: a filmmaker-led accelerator and production company combining financing, mentorship, and ethically driven technology to empower independent storytellers.
- How Open Cities is exploring new pathways from development to distribution for the next generation of filmmakers.
- How artist-focused approaches can help filmmakers embrace new technologies while preserving creative voice, authorship, and artistic integrity.
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 event will be posted to Sundance Collab's Event Recording Library within two business days of the live event. All registered attendees will receive an email with a link to view the recording when it is posted.
Live Online EventTeam
Joana Vicente
CEO and Co-Founder, Open Cities
Joana Vicente is an award-winning producer, executive, and entrepreneur who has played a defining role in the global independent film ecosystem. She serves as the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the production company and accelerator, Open Cities. She has led some of North America’s most prestigious organizations, having served as CEO of the Sundance Institute, the Executive Director, and the Co-Head of the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF. Before that, she was the Executive Director of IFP/ The Gotham Film & Media Institute and the Made in NY Media Center.
Vicente has produced/executive produced over 30 feature films by acclaimed directors such as Jim Jarmusch, Nadine Labaki, Brian De Palma, Nicole Holofcener, Hal Hartley, Katherine Dieckmann, Alex Gibney, and Todd Solondz. She is recognized as a leading figure of the digital film revolution, having co-founded pioneering digital production companies Blow Up Pictures and HDNetFilms, which she launched with partners Jason Kliot, Mark Cuban, and Todd Wagner. These companies ushered in a new era of digital filmmaking that transformed the landscape of American independent film production and distribution.
Patty West
Moderator | Director, Sundance Collab
Patty West is a producer and educator based in California. She led the Directing Workshop for Women and the Thesis Program at the American Film Institute prior to joining the Sundance Institute. She came to Sundance Collab in December of 2019 and now serves as its Director.
West is a Chicago native and holds a B.S. from Northwestern University, an M.F.A. from the AFI Conservatory and an Executive M.B.A. from Quantic School of Business & Technology. She is a member of the Producer's Council of the Producers Guild of America.