There’s something special about the MACRO Lodge at Sundance. We’re not sure if it’s the people you meet, the programing you experience or a combination of the two, but we are sure that the MACRO Lodge is one of our favorite spots at Sundance. This is our third year attending the Sundance Film Festival. The MACRO Lodge was a positive part of that experience our second year and this year was no different.

SheaMoisture presented the 2nd Annual MACRO Lodge at Sundance. It was hosted by MACRO Founder & CEO Charles D. King (Sorry To Bother You, Mudbound, Fences) and his wife Stacey Walker King. Mirroring the company’s goal to develops and produce content by people of color allowing them to connect and relate, the MACRO Lodge featured inclusive panels, screenings and parties to champion diversity, inclusion and people of color at its prime location on Main Street in Park City, UT.

From January 25-28, 2019, featured events included conversations and panels with Lena Waithe, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tessa Thompson, Angela Rye, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mara Brock Akil, dream hampton, Angie Martinez and NALIP’s Ben Lopez.

Some of the people who stopped by the MACRO Lodge at Sundance included: Michael B. Jordan, Ava DuVernay, Kenya Barris, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Jesse Williams, Tarana Burke, Amanda Seales, Susan Kelechi Watson, Baron Davis, Bevy Smith, Boris Kodjoe, Bozoma Saint John, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks, Kendrick Sampson, Lil Rel Howery, Omar Dorsey, Phoebe Robinson, Richelieu Dennis, Sinqua Walls, Woody McClain, The Cast of Boomerang and many more.

Photo: The Collins Jackson Agency / MACRO Lodge

Photo: The Collins Jackson Agency / MACRO Lodge

Photo: The Collins Jackson Agency / MACRO Lodge

Photo: The Collins Jackson Agency / MACRO Lodge

Photo: The Collins Jackson Agency / MACRO Lodge

The winners of The MACRO Episodic Lab Powered by The Black List were also announced.  Sahar Jahani and K.C. Scott will receive development support and a pilot presentation or sizzle at a budget of up to $30,000 each.  The Lab was launched by Lena Waithe, Eva Longoria, MACRO and The Black List in 2018 with a mission to discover episodic storytellers of color, empower them with creative tools and resources to help launch their careers and provide industry support to writers from a wide range of backgrounds who typically do not have access to the traditional Hollywood system. Applicants were invited to submit their ideas to be reviewed by MACRO and The Black List team.

SheaMoisture is the presenting sponsor of this year’s MACRO Lodge at Sundance.  Color Of Change is a premium sponsor.  Essence is an activation partner.

Even though we just left, we’re also amped for MACRO Lodge at Sundance 2020!

Below is a full listing of The 2^nd Annual MACRO Lodge at Sundance Presented by SheaMoisture itinerary.

Friday, January 25, 2019

MACRO Open House

Guests were invited to eat – drink – vibe with MACRO’s Charles and Stacey King.

Producing the Latinx Pipeline.  Presented by NALIP.

A spotlight on NALIP’s initiatives to help diverse filmmakers partake in creating and developing content was led by NALIP Executive Director Ben Lopez.

The Black Creators Midnight Brunch Honoring ColorCreative.  Sponsored by Color Of Change, The Open Society Foundations and Firelight.

Color Of Change, The Open Society Foundations and Firelight hosted a midnight brunch to honor ColorCreative, and to celebrate Black content creators and storytellers attending Sundance. ColorCreative, founded by Issa Rae and Deniese Davis, is a company that focuses exclusively on diverse, emerging writers and exceptional storytelling for film, television and digital.  Brunch food was served and music provided by DJ D-Nice.

Saturday, January 26, 2019

MACRO Open House

Guests were invited to connect – chill – flow with MACRO executives.  Also, Charles D. King, Franklin Leonard and Lena Waithe announced the winners of The MACRO Episodic Lab Powered by The Black List, a joint endeavor between MACRO, The Black List, Lena Waithe and Eva Longoria. The Lab was created to discover and empower episodic storytellers of color with creative tools and resources to help launch their career.

BET Networks presents A Screening of Boomerang & Panel Discussion Featuring Lena Waithe, Ben Cory Jones and Dime Davis

The highly anticipated television reboot of a movie classic debuted.  BET hosted a first look at the pilot episode, followed by a conversation led by executive producer Lena Waithe with writer Ben Cory Jones and director Dime Davis.

Midnight MACRO Party

MACRO’s signature party event.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Now That’s Real Talk: An Intimate Conversation with Jada Pinkett Smith.  Moderated by Kibi Anderson, President, Red Table Talk, Inc.

An intimate conversation with Jada Pinkett Smith as she shared gems about her journey and finding the courage to put it #AllOnTheTable.

In Conversation with Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Moderated by Producer Adetoro Makinde.

A riveting talk with award-winning actor/director Chiwetel Ejiofor as he discussed his directorial debut, The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, and the deliberate choices he made to maintain the authenticity of the story, as well as, redefining African narratives, how POC stories connect with a global audience and breaking the filmmaking myths surrounding Africa.

Unflinching. Unfiltered: How Muslims are Owning Their Stories.  Sponsored by Pillars Fund and Pop Culture Collaborative.

Writer/Producer/Showrunner Mara Brock Akil and prominent and rising American Muslim storytellers, activists and changemakers discussed how they are creating audacious and authentic stories, overcoming barriers and building their own pipelines and partnerships to ensure long-term creative control.

Essence Makers & Creators Cocktail Party

Where makers, creators and investors gathered with ESSENCE magazine for creative exchange and deal-making.

Knock Down The House Documentary After Party with Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, Paula Jean Swearengin

and filmmaker Rachel Lears  

The official soiree after the documentary’s Sundance premiere.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Planned Parenthood Presents Our Bodies, Ourselves: A Celebration of Unstoppable Black Women

In October 2016, Planned Parenthood turned 100 years strong and was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits.  Alencia Johnson, Planned Parenthood Director of Public Engagement, Communications and Culture Division, celebrated unstoppable Black women in TV and film for their contributions of real, authentic, disruptive stories who are changing the perception of Black women and girls.

On1 with Angela Rye Presents: Politics, Culture and Storytelling – Podcast.  Sponsored by Color Of Change, The Open Society Foundations and Firelight. 

Live from Sundance, Angela Rye discussed the current political climate and the impact TV, film and media plays in shaping and shifting the narratives around politics, the Black community and justice.

Time’s Up

Tessa Thompson hosted a work session for this activist organization that insists on safe, fair and dignified work for women of all kinds.

#TellBlackStories: A Conversation with dream hampton.  Moderated by Angie Martinez.  Sponsored by Color Of Change, The Open Society Foundations and Firelight.

Radio host Angie Martinez and writer, filmmaker and organizer, dream hampton and President of Firelight Media, Marcia Smith discussed the TV and film industry’s responsibility to create, support and protect Black women and girls through narratives.