ACE breaks tradition, awards top honor to Sundance Institute

Breaking with its tradition of annually recognizing an accomplished filmmaker, American Cinema Editors on Thursday named the Sundance Institute the recipient of the organization’s highest honor, the ACE Golden Eddie Award.

The award traditionally honors a filmmaker “who exemplifies distinguished achievement in the art and business of film.”

“This year, the ACE board voted to honor an entity rather than an individual,” ACE President Kevin Tent said in a statement. “Since 1981, the Sundance Institute has launched some of the most talented and vital voices in global film. Having just celebrated their 40-year anniversary, the Sundance Institute’s impact on our art and industry is immeasurable. ACE is proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions to cinema.”

Michelle Satter, the institute’s founding senior director of artist programs, will accept the honor during the 72nd annual ACE Eddie Awards ceremony March 5 in downtown Los Angeles.

Previous recipients of the honor include Quentin Tarantino, J.J. Abrams, Nancy Meyers, Lauren Shuler Donner, Christopher Nolan, Spike Lee, George Lucas and Guillermo del Toro.