The 2021 Sundance Film Festival ended tonight with the awarding of the highest jury awards to films that premiered at the event. The Questlove-directed Summer of Soul (… or when the revolution couldn’t be televised) – a film about the Harlem Cultural Festival from 1969 – won the Grand Jury Prize and the US Documentary Competition Audience Prize. Questlove responded to the news on Twitter: “OOOOMMMGGGGHGGG WE DID IT.”
“Making films has always been a dream of mine and telling that story has been an amazing experience,” wrote Questlove in a statement. “I am overwhelmed and honored by the reception the film has received, and I would like to express my special thanks to Sundance and my production partners: Radical Media, Vulcan Productions, Concordia, Play / Action Pictures and LarryBilly Productions.”
The film celebrated its world premiere at this year’s festival. It shows recordings that were invisible in a cellar for 50 years. Stevie Wonder, the Staples Singers, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone and other icons appear in the film.
Read Pitchfork’s article, “Questlove On Why Music Festivals Matter And How To Do It Right.”
