Plenty of tributes have been coming in for Robert Redford after news broke that the actor has passed away at the age of 89. While Redford never won a Best Actor Oscar, he earned an Academy Award for his work as a director in 1981 for his film Ordinary People. He has also won a Lifetime Achievement Oscar award in 2002 for his contributions to cinema as not just an actor but also a filmmaker and a champion of independent films through the organisation he found: Sundance Film Institute. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences shared Redford's acceptance speech from 2002 while paying a tribute to the legendary Hollywood actor.
In its post, the Academy wrote, "Robert Redford reminded us of the power of cinema, of freedom, and of the artists who risk everything to tell their stories." The Academy was alluding to Redford's work championing independent cinema like few other big stars of his stature have so far, especially through his organisation Sundance Film Institute. The Academy went on to add, "Today, we remember his words, his life and career that forever shaped the landscape of film."
In his Lifetime Achievement Oscar acceptance speech, Redford said that "Sundance is a manifestation of" his attempt to give back to "an industry that has been good to" him. The actor-filmmaker also emphasised the importance of embracing "the risks as well as the sure things, to make sure the freedom of artistic expression is nurtured and kept alive." At the end of his speech, he said, "I think the glory of art is that it can not only survive change, it can lead it. As an artist, I just cannot think of a better life than the one that I have been blessed with."
The Sundance Film Institute-owned festival impacts independent filmmakers in many ways, most notably by providing them with more visibility through their work. The institute also offers access to resources encouraging independent filmmakers to undertake creative risks while dealing with the challenges that come with their work.
