Christopher Nolan Praises The Power Of Sundance; ‘Oppenheimer’ Filmmaker “Never Compromised” Robert Downey Jr. Says At Opening Night Gala

“It’s a quarter of a century later, and I’m still f*cking being discovered by Sundance,” beamed Christopher Nolan tonight at the Sundance Film Festival Opening Night Gala as he received the inaugural Trailblazer award.

“At what point do I move onto bigger things?”

The wrap-up remark was made as Nolan shared the story about how Comcast Universal boss Brian Roberts shared with him and his producer wife Emmy Thomas how he caught their movie Memento by chance at Sundance during a ski trip back in 2001.

Widely considered the frontrunner for the Oscars, Nolan was awarded tonight the Christotopher Nolan award just outside Park City at the Sunda

The filmmaker “never comprised” during filming, asserted Oppenheimer star Robert Downey Jr while introducing the director Thursday night.

Along with Nolan, Kristen Stewart received the Visionary Award were also given recognition at the gala this evening.

Tonight’s honor comes on the heels of Oppenheimer cleaning up at the BAFTA noms, as well as Best Picture wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice, in addition to being touted as the frontrunner in the Oscar race.

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan. 18-28.