The 2021 Sundance Film Festival concluded 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 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival film — won the US Documentary Competition’s Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Questlove responded to the news on Twitter: “OOOOMMMGGGGHGGG WE HAVE IT. “
“It has always been a dream of mine to direct movies and telling this story has been a truly wonderful experience,” Questlove wrote in a statement. “I am overwhelmed and honored by the reception the film has received and would like to thank Sundance and my production partners in particular: Radical Media, Vulcan Productions, Concordia, Play / Action Pictures and LarryBilly Productions.”
The film had its world premiere at the festival this year. It contains images that have stood unseen in a cellar for 50 years. Stevie Wonder, the Staples Singers, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone and other icons appear in the movie.
Read Pitchfork’s article “Questlove On Why Music Festivals Matter and How to do them right.”