The Sundance Film Festival remains a beacon for independent film enthusiasts, kicking off the global circuit with its signature blend of thought-provoking panels and high-profile premieres. However, this year's festivities are bittersweet;

It's the first without Robert Redford following his death in September, and the last in Utah before the festival relocates to Boulder, Colorado.

Rather than scripted series, the new Sundance Now wants to be the definitive home for independent films.

As more creators are invited to film festivals like Sundance, these collaborations are letting the next generation learn from the previous.