The Creative Coalition Hosted its 19th Annual Spotlight Initiative Awards at 2026 Sundance Film Festival Honoring Rosanna Arquette, Anthony Bregman, Giancarlo Esposito, Rob Lowe, Iliza Shlesinger and Benedict Wong - PHOTOS

On January 24, The Creative Coalition hosted its 19th Annual Spotlight Initiative Awards at Buona Vita in Park City, Utah, honoring Rob Lowe, Gemma Chan, Rosanna Arquette, Anthony Bregman, Giancarlo Esposito, Iliza Shlesinger and Benedict Wong. Additional attendees included Alex Borstein, Yvette Nicole Brown, Katherine McNamara, Tom Welling, Jimmy O. Yang and Aasif Mandvi. The event convenes the Festival’s most notable filmmakers, talent and industry leaders for an evening celebrating independent film’s power to provoke, challenge, and inspire. The Spotlight Initiative Awards honors artists and storytellers show work embodies creative risk, originality and social impact with this year's Honorees representing a dynamic cross-section of talent.

HONOREES:   Rosanna Arquette (The Moment, After Hours, Pulp Fiction) Anthony Bregman (Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, In the Heights, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) Giancarlo Esposito (The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Do the Right Thing, Breaking Bad) Rob Lowe (The Musical, About Last Night, The Outsiders) Iliza Shlesinger (Chasing Summer, Spenser Confidential) Benedict Wong (Rock Springs, Weapons, Doctor Strange)    The event convenes the Festival’s most notable filmmakers, talent and industry leaders for an evening celebrating independent film’s power to provoke, challenge, and inspire.      “For nearly two decades, the Spotlight Initiative Awards have honored artists who choose the harder path to tell stories that matter,” said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition. “This year’s honorees remind us that protecting creative freedom isn’t optional—it’s essential.”   “Independent film is the engine that keeps this industry honest, inventive, and alive,” added Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition. “Celebrating these voices in Park City is a powerful affirmation that meaningful storytelling still begins with courage and conviction.”    Presented during major film festivals including Cannes, Tribeca, and Toronto, the Spotlight Initiative Awards have recognized many of the most influential figures in film and culture, including Uzo Aduba, Alan Arkin, Ellen Barkin, Harry Belafonte, Kate Bosworth, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicolas Cage, Lee Daniels, Peter Dinklage, Colman Domingo, Jay Duplass, Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ed Harris, Dustin Hoffman, Jeremy Irons, Anna Kendrick, Zoë Kravitz, Spike Lee, Barry Levinson, William H. Macy, Demi Moore, Mandy Patinkin, Sean Penn, Gloria Steinem, Quentin Tarantino, Robin Williams, Alfre Woodard, and Shailene Woodley.   ABOUT THE CREATIVE COALITION The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan charity of the entertainment industry, dedicated to harnessing the power of arts and culture through award-winning public service and advocacy campaigns. Founded in 1989 by leading members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition educates, mobilizes, and activates artists on issues of public importance. Actor Tim Daly serves as President. PHOTOS Attendees at The Creative Coalition 19th Annual Spotlight Initiative Awards at Buona Vita on January 24, 2026 in Park City, Utah. All photos courtesy Getty Images for The Creative Coalition