Acura Proudly Joins 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Honoring Robert Redford, Celebrating Bold Creativity by Supporting Independent Artists

• Acura’s commitment as a Presenting Sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival underscores its longstanding efforts to uplift independent artists and emerging voices in film as the Festival celebrates this monumental year in Park City
• Acura House of Energy will bring action-packed, day-to-night programming to Park City from Jan. 23-26, including IndieWire’s famed Chili Party and celebration of the new Acura Partnership with USA Bobsled/Skeleton
• Acura SUVs will be front and center in Park City: 2026 Acura MDX will serve as Official Vehicle of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and all-new 2026 ADX will be prominently displayed at the Acura House of Energy
• Acura NSX Roadster, famously driven in Marvel’s “The Avengers”, will be displayed at Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford ahead of 2026 auction for charity through Cars & Bids auction
• 2026 Sundance Film Festival Acura programming highlights include film partnerships with Casper Kelly’s BUDDY starring Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key, Michael Shannon, and Patton Oswalt and Josephine Decker’s CHASING SUMMER starring Iliza Shlesinger, Lola Tung, Megan Mullally, Garrett Wareing, and Tom Welling; and programming partnerships with ASCAP, Gold House, GLAAD, IMDb, Indigenous House, NAACP, Producers Guild of America and Women in Film (WIF)

Acura will join the Sundance Film Festival community this year in honoring the legacy of Sundance Institute’s Founder, Robert Redford. This includes auctioning the Acura NSX Roadster, famously driven in Marvel’s “The Avengers”, with a guaranteed contribution from Acura supporting the Sundance Institute. The NSX auction will take place in 2026 on Cars & Bids.

Acura is also set to energize the 2026 Sundance Film Festival with a lineup of engaging events and experiences, reinforcing its commitment to spotlight independent artists and emerging voices in film. As a Presenting Sponsor for 16 years, Acura will return to Park City with a jam-packed House of Energy lineup celebrating bold creativity and highlighting the impactful initiatives of organizations such as GLAAD, Indigenous House and WIF.

Acura SUVs will be front and center throughout the Festival, with the 2026 MDX, the flagship of the brand, serving as Official Vehicle of the Festival, helping transport members of the film community seamlessly to and from premieres and industry events around Park City. Acura’s all-new gateway SUV, the2026 ADX, will be prominently featured at the Acura House of Energy.

To further celebrate Acura’s relationship with the film community, the Acura NSX Roadsterfamously driven in Marvel’s “The Avengers”, will be on display at Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford, the Festival’s annual fundraiser on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah, with remarks about Acura’s involvement given by award-winning actor and producer Tessa Thompson. The one-of-a-kind supercar will be auctioned off this year with proceeds benefiting the winning bidder’s charity of choice. At the time of the auction, Acura will guarantee a contribution to the Sundance Institute to support independent artists and emerging voices year-round. The winning bidder will also have the opportunity to designate additional proceeds to benefit the Sundance Institute.

“Acura has been honored to stand alongside the Sundance Film Festival in championing bold storytelling and the independent artists who bring it to life. As we celebrate the legacy of Robert Redford, we’re proud to spotlight our commitment to the Sundance Institute through the auction of this iconic Acura NSX Roadster, ensuring continued support for emerging voices year-round,” said Jennifer Symington, Assistant Vice President, Marketing, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This moment reflects our shared belief in creativity, innovation, and the power of film to drive meaningful impact.”

The Acura House of Energy will kick off its programming lineup by hosting the exclusive premiere party for much-anticipated film BUDDY on Thurs., Jan. 22 before opening to festivalgoers on Fri., Jan. 23. The premium performance automotive brand will host additional public and private events, such as panels, interviews, and live performances, including the famed annual IndieWire Chili Party on Sat., Jan 24 and the exclusive premiere party for CHASING SUMMER on Mon., Jan. 26.

Acura House of Energy at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival
The Acura House of Energy will immerse guests in a lively and exhilarating celebration of winter. In addition to the IndieWire Chili Party and the inspiring programming lineup featuring A-list actors, writers, producers and directors, Acura will officially welcome festivalgoers with the Acura House of Energy Kickoff Party open to the public on Fri., Jan. 23, featuring DJ Cardi and DJ Nice.

Festivalgoers will get an exclusive look at the Acura partnership with the USA Bobsled/Skeleton Team (USABS), where a wrapped two-person bobsled in a custom livery will be on display, providing a photo moment for guests. There will also be an exciting opportunity to race bobsled slot cars on a bespoke track with the chance to win a Honda Motocompacto, the fun, ultra-compact Honda e-scooter designed for urban mobility.

The all-new 2026 ADX premium compact SUV will be featured at the Acura House of Energy at the Festival, along with in-car demonstrations and giveaways.

Acura also will host The IMDb Studio at the Acura House of Energy, capturing exclusive content and conversations with leading actors, writers, and directors that will anchor 2026 Sundance Film Festival coverage on IMDb. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will return as a partner for the 28th Annual Sundance Film Festival Music Cafe, featuring live performances by a diverse array of artists and songwriters, alongside intimate conversations with the composers behind some of this year’s Festival films.

Acura: Vehicles at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival
The Acura MDX – Acura’s flagship model and America’s best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time – is the Official Vehicle of the Sundance Film Festival and the perfect vehicle to support the film community across the festival – from industry events to premieres. The ADX, featured at the House of Energy, has quickly become America’s best-selling premium compact SUV in retail sales and is attracting young premium buyers at the gateway to the Acura lineup with its fun-to-drive spirit, youthful styling, and premium features.

Acura’s History at the Sundance Film Festival
Acura understands the power of great performance, and is proud of its longstanding, 16-year partnership with the Sundance Film Festival and the role it has played in uplifting independent artists and emerging voices in Park City.

In addition to their role as Official Vehicle of the Sundance Film Festival and the commitment to championing bold creativity in the Acura House of Energy, Acura proudly celebrates the achievements of filmmakers as the presenting sponsor of both The Vanguard Awards, presented at the annual fundraiser, and the U.S. Dramatic & Documentary Audience Awards, presented at the annual Award ceremony, voted on by the audiences.

This year’s celebration event will honor Nia DaCosta with the annual Vanguard Award Presented by Acura for Fiction and Geeta Gandbhir with the annual Vanguard Award Presented by Acura for Nonfiction.

Acura is honored to be part of the Sundance Film Festival where innovative thinking is celebrated and the power of imaginative storytelling is on full display, and the brand is equally excited for what the future holds for the Festival.

The Acura House of Energy is located at 550 Swede Alley. Public hours: Friday, January 23 through Monday, January 26 from 11am to 6pm MST (subject to change).

2026 Schedule of Programming in the Acura House of Energy

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND

• 8:00pm - 11:00pm MT - INVITE ONLY - BUDDY Premiere Party
  
  1. FILM LOGLINE: A brave girl and her friends must escape a kids television show.
     
     

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD

• 11:00am - 12:00pm MT - NAACP: “From TV to Policy” Panel
  
  1. A conversation on how portrayals of Black and Brown communities in television and film shape public perception, influence policymakers, and ultimately impact the laws that govern our lives. The panel will examine how harmful on-screen narratives can lead to harmful real-world policies, and how accurate, empowering storytelling can drive meaningful change.
     
     
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm MT - Gold House: “After The Pitch– A Look Inside Developing A Studio Project” Panel
  
  1. Selling your pitch or script is only half the battle — developing it successfully within the studio system is a battle just as big. What separates the projects that move forward from those that stall? Hear from seasoned producers, executives, and creatives who’ve shepherded projects through the studio system about the strategies, relationships, and creative decisions that keep projects alive during development.
     
     
• 3:30pm - 6:00pm MT - Frameline, GLAAD, & NewFest with IMDbPro Present: “Cheers, Queers”
  
  1. 3:30pm - 4:45pm MT - INVITE ONLY - Cheers, Queers Toast - Industry professionals will gather to celebrate LGBTQ stories and makers with representation at Sundance Film Festival.
     
     
  2. 4:45pm - 5:00pm MT - “We Will Always Be Here: A Highlight Reel of LGBTQ Sundance Film Festival History”
     - This panel will bring notable LGBTQ filmmakers, creatives, and activists to the stage to share personal memories and visions for the future, MC’d by Ryan Mitchell. This segment will include reflections from the Cheers, Queers event founders Alex Schmider (GLAAD), Allegra Madsen (Frameline), and David Hatkoff (NewFest).
     
     
  3. 5:00 - 5:50pm MT - “The New & Next Queer Cinema: A Conversation with Queer Icons of Then and Now” Panel - As the Sundance Film Festival casts its gaze (gay-ze?) across its 40+ year history, and GLAAD also marks its 40-year anniversary advocating for LGBTQ representation and acceptance, this segment will bring together a historic conversation between the Queer Icons that shaped the New Queer Cinema movement, and those building on its legacy.
     
     
  4. 5:50pm - 6pm MT - Honoring LGBTQ Storytellers at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival - A staged photo to visually commemorate and spotlight LGBTQ storytellers and culture makers, celebrating their boundary-pushing creativity and impact in the industry.
     
     
• 8:00pm - 11:00pm MT - Acura House of Energy Kickoff Party
  
  1. 8:00pm - 9:00pm MT - DJ Cardi Set
  2. 9:00pm - 11:00pm MT - DJ Nice Set

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24TH

• 12:00pm - 1:00pm MT - IMDb Presents: Stars to Watch
  
  1. This live panel conversation will feature the rising stars from some of the festival’s buzziest titles—emerging talents whose breakthrough performances exemplify the independent spirit at the heart of Sundance. With moderator Jeff Luppino-Esposito, Sr. Content Strategist, IMDbPro, the industry’s brightest young stars will talk about their Sundance Film Festival experience, the standout performances that brought them to the forefront of fans’ and critics’ attention, their first IMDb credit, how independent filmmaking has shaped their artistic journey, why emerging young voices matter, and so much more.
     
     
• 3:00pm - 5:00pm MT - Indigenous House Programming
  
  1. 3:00pm - 4:00pm MT - “Elevating Indigenous Voices in Entertainment, Media, and Culture” Panel - Indigenous House is a recently launched media platform and lifestyle brand taking a forward looking and bold approach to storytelling, culture, and commerce through a celebration of Indigenous voices and creators. Featuring an exciting mix of industry creatives and allies, this dynamic panel will examine the evolving landscape of entertainment and media, highlighting the power of storytelling to drive cultural impact, representation, and community. The day will also include exclusive Indigenous House merchandise and more.
     
     
  2. 4:00pm - 5:00pm MT - Indigenous House Happy Hour
     - Indigenous House will host a lively gathering for industry professionals to cultivate connections, celebrate authentic storytelling, and highlight Indigenous creators at Sundance Film Festival.
     
     
• 7:00pm - 10:00pm MT - INVITE ONLY - IndieWire’s Chili Party
  
  1. IndieWire’s legendary Sundance Film Festival event, held to celebrate the Sundance filmmakers and the indie film community.
     
     

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH

• 10:00am - 1:00pm MT - Women in Film (WIF) Programming
  
  1. 10:00am - 11:00am MT - INVITE ONLY - Rising Together: Women in Film’s 2026 Sundance Film Festival Brunch - WIF will once again convene an energetic networking gathering with featured appearances from women filmmakers with films in official selection at the Festival. New this year, we shine a light on the power of mentorship, with a focus on the attending fellows from WIF’s ReFrame Rise, a mid-career fellowship for women and gender diverse directors and cinematographers pairing them with committed industry-leading mentors.
     
     
  2. 11:15am - 12:00pm MT - “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: Women Filmmakers Fighting for Change” Panel
     - A dynamic lineup of festival filmmakers from around the globe join forces to discuss how they are challenging systems and changing narratives - democratizing storytelling, fighting for rights and representation, and building bridges across communities through art and activism.
     
     
  3. 12:15pm - 1:00pm MT - “Emphasis on Empathy: The Power of Compassion” Panel - As our world and realities are in constant flux, the Sundance Film Festival continues to platform women filmmakers and artists, bringing their perspective to a wider audience. If, to quote Roger Ebert, “Movies are like a machine that generates empathy,” these narratives are now running at high voltage. Join WIF for a powerful conversation on how the stories women tell could pave the way toward a future where care and compassion are the norm.
     
     
• 2:00pm - 6:30pm MT - 2026 Sundance Film Festival ASCAP Music Cafe
  
  1. From creating atmosphere to building emotion and driving narrative, music elevates the art of great filmmaking. The ASCAP Music Café at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival celebrates this essential creative collaboration with exciting live performances by a diverse array of artists and songwriters, alongside intimate conversations with the composers behind some of this year’s Festival films. Presented by ASCAP, home to more than one million of the world’s greatest music creators.
     
     
• 8:00pm - 11:00pm MT - Musical Performance by DJ Cardi

MONDAY, JANUARY 26TH

• 12:00pm - 1:00pm MT - Producers Guild of America (PGA): “The Producers Guild Presents: The State of Producing & Future of Producing” Panel
  
  1. A panel presented by the Producers Guild of America, bringing together a dynamic mix of producers to discuss the evolving landscape of film production from the rise of AI to changes in distribution, tax incentives, and how they overcame the challenges to launch their productions. The panel will be moderated by Susan Sprung, Chief Executive Officer of the Producers Guild of America.
     
     
• 2:00pm - 5:15pm MT - 2026 Sundance Film Festival ASCAP Music Cafe
• 6:30pm - 9:30pm MT - INVITE ONLY - CHASING SUMMER Premiere Party
  
  1. FILM LOGLINE: After losing both her job and boyfriend, Jamie retreats to her small Texas hometown, where friends and flings from a fateful high school summer turn her life upside down.
     
     

About Acura
Acura is a leading premium auto brand committed to delivering expressive styling, innovative engineering and engaging dynamics, all built on the brand’s Precision Crafted Performance DNA. The Acura lineup consists of four models: the Integra sport sedan, and the ADX, RDX, and MDX sport-utility vehicles. The all-electric RSX will join the lineup in 2026. About 85% of Acura vehicles sold in America in 2025 were made in America, using domestic and globally made parts.

More information about Acura is available here: https://acuranews.com/en-US.

Important Notice
Although the information included in this press release is accurate as of the date of publication, this information is subject to change at any time without notice. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. assumes no responsibility for updating this information.