The 2021 Sundance Film Festival ended tonight with the jury’s top awards for films that premiered at the event. Directed by Questlove Summer of Soul (… Or, when the revolution could not be televised)– a 1969 film about the Harlem Cultural Festival – was awarded the Grand Jury Prize and the US Documentary Competition Audience Award. Questlove reacted to the news on Twitter: “OOOOMMMGGGGHGGG I DID IT. ”
“It’s always been a dream of mine to direct movies and telling this story has been a truly amazing experience,” Questlove wrote in a statement. “I am overwhelmed and honored to receive the film and would like to especially thank Sundance and my production partners: Radical Media, Vulcan Productions, Concordia, Play / Action Pictures and LarryBilly Productions.”
The film made its world premiere at this year’s festival. It features footage that has been unseen in a basement for 50 years. Stevie Wonder, The Staples Singers, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone and other icons appear in the film.
Read Pitchfork’s “Questlove” feature about why music festivals matter and how to do them right.