In the Wake TV Producers Shayna and Julia celebrate the benefits of digital Sundance access while calling out a hard truth: travel costs and temporary housing make in-person festival attendance almost impossible for Black press, journalists, and cinephiles—effectively gatekeeping who gets to participate in one of independent cinema's most important events.

Access is Justice: Shayna and Julia discuss how virtual festival access has been a game-changer, allowing them and countless others to engage with Sundance programming without the financial burden of flights, hotels, meals, and time away from work. For Black media professionals operating on shoestring budgets without institutional backing, digital access isn't just convenient—it's the only way to participate. The barriers to in-person attendance aren't just logistical; they're economic gatekeeping that determines whose voices get to cover and critique independent cinema.

Why This Matters: When festival coverage is dominated by critics who can afford Park City's inflated costs or who have outlets funding their travel, we get a narrow perspective on which films matter and why. Black press, independent journalists, and community critics bring essential cultural context and accountability to film discourse—but only if they can access the work. Digital Sundance democratizes participation, ensuring diverse voices can engage with and amplify independent cinema without needing trust funds or corporate backing.

Watch the full conversation as Shayna and Julia make the case for permanent digital access, discuss the economic realities facing Black media, and celebrate being able to cover Sundance from home without apology.
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