Reimagining Creativity: Variety & VIBE Celebrate Innovation At ‘Sundance 2025’
On Saturday night (Jan. 25), Variety and VIBE, hosted an unforgettable evening presented by Google TV and YouTube at the iconic Riverhorse on Main in Park City, Utah, bringing together some of the brightest minds in entertainment and explored the dynamic intersection of creativity and technology. The event set the stage for an in-depth look at how innovation is shaping the future of entertainment, marking a standout moment at ‘Sundance 2025.’
The evening kicked off with a Fireside Chat featuring Shalini Govil-Pai, Vice President of Google TV, and Angelique Jackson, Senior Entertainment Writer at Variety. Together, they delved into the evolving landscape of streaming, with a focus on how Google TV is redefining content consumption and the future of entertainment viewing.
The second panel, Celebrating Innovation in Entertainment, brought together industry icons Roy Wood Jr. (Have I Got News For You), Marlee Matlin (CODA), Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil), Harry Hamlin (Perseus), and Tom Quinn (Super 8). They shared insights on the creative process and discussed how emerging platforms are reshaping the entertainment landscape, empowering new voices and talent.
The night culminated in Forging New Paths to Stardom, a conversation presented by VIBE and YouTube, that explored how digital platforms are enabling creators to build careers and connect with audiences like never before. The panel, moderated by VIBE’s Editor-in-Chief Raina Kelley, featured YouTube creators Michelle Khare and Kinigra Deon, actor DeWanda Wise, and Tara Walpert Levy, Vice President of Americas at YouTube, discussing how they’re forging new paths to success in the entertainment world.
Notable attendees included Al Madrigal (Lopez vs Lopez), Jose Velazquez (Griselda), Rafael Cabrera (Paradise), Teo Santos (Omaha), Rhett & Link, Nicko Sabado (Chasers), Mack Wilds, director Mansi Maheshwari, producer Ashionye Ogene (Bunnyhood), D-Nice, Scott Evans (Access Hollywood), Olly Sholotan (Bel-Air), and more.
The event was an extraordinary celebration of creativity, innovation, and collaboration, perfectly capturing the spirit of Sundance while providing a platform for vital conversations about the future of entertainment. Guests enjoyed lively discussions, top-tier networking, and an unforgettable evening dedicated to celebrating the power of creativity in today’s ever-changing entertainment landscape.
