The 2021 Sundance Film Festival ended this evening with the awarding of the jury prizes to the films that premiered at the event. Managed by Questlove Summer of Soul (… or when the revolution could not be televised)– a film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival – received the Jury Grand Prize and the US Documentary Competition Audience Award. Questlove reacted to the news on Twitter: “OOOOMMMGGGGHGGG WE DID IT. “
“Directing films has always been a dream of mine and telling this story has been an incredible experience,” Questlove wrote in a statement. “I am impressed and honored by the reception the film is receiving and I want to thank Sundance and my production partners especially: Radical Media, Vulcan Productions, Concordia, Play / Action Pictures and LarryBilly Productions.”
The film made its world premiere at this year’s festival. It features images that have been invisible in a basement for 50 years. Stevie Wonder, Staples Singers, Nina Simone, Sly and Family Stone and other icons appear in the film.
Read Pitchfork’s resource “Questlove On Why Music Festivals Matter and How to Do Them Right.”