Audio Storytelling is Making a Splash at Entertainment’s Biggest Events

There was snow as far as the eye could see in Park City, Utah, but on the roof of the Audible Listening Lodge on Main Street, people were tucked into cozy, colorful gondolas, enjoying the view while staying warm with a selection from Audible’s vast catalog. Nearby, social media icon Brittany Broski was cracking up stars like Pedro Pascal, Kerry Washington, Jesse Eisenberg and Glen Powell in the Audible Lounge, and down the street at the 1497 South Asian Lodge, listeners got to sample exciting Audible Originals coming from our South Asian creators.

These are some of the memorable moments Sundance attendees experienced last year, and we’re excited to create more of them as we head into our sixth consecutive year as a sponsor and the festival’s official audio entertainment partner. While Sundance’s annual winter festival has long been associated with film, it’s a natural place for Audible to join entertainment industry colleagues in a celebration of immersive, cutting-edge storytelling across various formats. As James Finn, Audible’s Global Head of Brand and Content Marketing, points out, “Sundance is a barometer for cultural trends and innovation in storytelling. By being present, Audible demonstrates our relevance and forward-thinking approach, aligning us with cutting-edge cultural conversations and maintaining our brand’s innovative edge.”

Audible’s brand events team helps to make those experiential brand moments possible. Headed up by Katja Lindemann, the team works year-round to make a splash at industry gatherings like Tribeca Festival and South by Southwest (SXSW), Frankfurt Book Fair and worldwide Comic Cons, working closely with Audible’s PR, content, talent and social teams to create unique interactive experiences, collaborations with creators and conversations about the expanding audio entertainment space.

Sundance’s weekend will open with the Official Sundance Filmmaker Welcome Party, which Audible is hosting for a third time. And we’re reprising the Audible Listening Lodge, where on the rooftop, visitors can enjoy s’mores and hot drinks as they listen to audiobooks, podcasts and Originals in heated yurts with a panoramic view of the festival village. Inside, Jon Hamm, Alia Shawkat, Ana de la Reguera, Aaron Lipstadt and Audible’s Head of Creative Development for North America Kate Navin will be at “Variety x Audible Cocktails and Conversations,” discussing their forthcoming Audible Original mystery, The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery (the next installment following 2022’s The Big Lie), while author and journalist Ronan Farrow (Not a Very Good Murderer, which releases on March 20) will join André Holland (Paradise Blue), Titus Welliver (The Safe Man) and Audible’s Chief Content Officer Rachel Ghiazza on a panel to discuss the evolution of storytelling as audiences crave innovative content experiences.

Lindemann says that although they begin planning for Sundance several months in advance, things kick into turbo gear the moment the festival announces the films it will be screening, which happens just after Thanksgiving. “That’s when we finally know which talent will likely be going to Sundance, and if they’d be good for us to work with on future projects. We have a team on the ground who goes to screenings and finds good projects to adapt for audio.” Likewise, some Audible projects showcased at Sundance go on to be adapted for screen, such as Jesse Eisenberg’s Original, When You Finish Saving the World, which he discussed at Sundance in 2021 and which was made into a film that premiered at Sundance the following year.

To help listeners around the world get in on the festival’s fun, we have a social media personality on hand as our weekend correspondent. Last year, the very funny and charismatic Broski, who was also part of our global brand campaign, filled the role. This year it’s red carpet interviewer extraordinaire Reece Feldman (aka @guywithamoviecamera), who will chat up celebrities for our social channels in the Audible Lounge at the Variety Interview Studio, where we’re a presenting sponsor.

Our passion for reaching new listeners and creative collaborators with our events presence is matched by our mission to empower emerging creators and foster inclusive storytelling. So this year we’re also teaming up with Sundance Collab, created by the Sundance Institute, to help inspire and train new creatives to explore audio narratives. During the festival, Audible will be sharing our industry expertise at the Advisor Studio for Audio Storytelling panel, and in April, we’re hosting Sundance’s virtual Audio Storytelling Intensive course.

Says Finn, “At Audible, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling and experiential marketing to create lasting connections, cultivate loyalty and unlock the imagination of our audience, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovative storytelling."

Check out our curated page of Sundance-related listens here.