Audible, Sundance Film Festival’s Official Audio Entertainment Partner, featured several days of engaging discussions, delicious bites and cozy drinks.

On Thursday, January 18, Audible welcomed filmmakers including Carlos López Estrada (Blindspotting), Christophe Zajac-Denek (Sasquatch Sunset), Jazmin Jones (Seeking Mavis Beacon), Amrou Al-Kadhi (Layla), and more to The Audible Listening Lodge for the 2024 Filmmaker and Artist Welcome Party. Guests, joined by Audible executives including CEO Bob Carrigan and Chief Content Officer Rachel Ghiazza, celebrated the festival’s return to Park City as they mingled with other creatives, enjoyed cocktails and relaxed around the fireplace.

On Friday, January 19th at Sundance Film Festival, Audible hosted a “Variety x Audible Cocktails and Conversations” panel at The Audible Listening Lodge with Kenya Barris — the award-winning creator behind titles such as “Black-ish,” “You People,” “#blackAF,” “Girls Trip, “and the Founder & CEO of Khalabo Ink Society. Kenya spoke with Audible’s Chief Content Officer Rachel Ghiazza about the creative opportunities in audio, highlighting content from the multi-project development deal between Khalabo Ink Society and Audible.

Additionally, Jodie Foster, Riley Keough, Pedro Pascal, Normani, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Eisenberg, Jena Malone, Jay Ellis, more stopped by the Variety Interview Studio, presented by Audible, sharing creative insights and details on their upcoming projects, including:

• Jodie Foster, EP of Alok, on finding the power in your voice and how words touch and connect people
• Pedro Pascal discussed immersing himself in the film’s setting of Oakland, CA and attempting an Oakland accent for his role in Freaky Tales
• Riley Keough teased her new project Sasquatch Sunset and talked about transforming into Bigfoot for the film
• Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin chatted about playing cousins in Jesse’s film A Real Pain and why personal stories resonate with audiences

On Sunday, January 21, Audible hosted a Panel Discussion: Breaking Down Genres. An exploration of the importance of creative freedom in storytelling, across different mediums of entertainment. Featuring “Rob Peace” director, writer and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Parish” EP and star Giancarlo Esposito, “Winner” director, writer and producer Susanna Fogel, Audible Head of Creative Development, North America Kate Navin and author, poet, comedian & public speaker Alok Vaid-Menon. Moderator: Angelique Jackson, Senior Entertainment Writer for Variety.

Throughout the weekend, The Audible Listening Lodge was open to the public. Guests had the chance to enjoy bites and drinks, along with checking out the listening gondolas. In the gondolas, guests could listen to Audible’s premium podcasts, audiobooks and Originals. We got to check out the Listening Lodge and enjoyed the cozy drinks and yummy steamed buns.