Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibilityIMDb Presents: Stars to Watch | 2026 Sundance Film Festival
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Talks

IMDb Presents: Stars to Watch

Presented by IMDbPro
Partner Event
IMDb Presents: Stars to Watch

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This live panel conversation will feature the rising stars from some of the Festival’s buzziest titles — emerging talents whose breakthrough performances exemplify the independent spirit at the heart of the Sundance Film Festival. With moderator Jeff Luppino-Esposito, senior content strategist at IMDbPro, the industry’s brightest young stars will talk about their Festival experience, the standout performances that brought them to the forefront of fans and critics’ attention, their first IMDb credit, how independent filmmaking has shaped their artistic journey, why emerging young voices matter, and so much more.

Partner events are independently conceived and produced by sponsor and partner organizations. These events take place in official Festival locations and all organizations follow the Sundance Film Festival community agreement.

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Panelist Name

Michelle Mao

    Michelle Mao is on her way to being the next big discovery with strong credits already under her belt. Mao will next be seen leading Kogonada’s zi, which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. She stars opposite Haley Lu Richardson and Jin Ha. She will also be seen in the Netflix phenomenon Bridgerton as new addition Rosamund Li.

    Panelist Name

    Will Price

      Will Price is an American actor who has quickly built a wide-ranging body of work, marked by collaborations with some of the industry’s most distinctive voices. He most recently completed Artificial for Amazon MGM, marking his second collaboration with Luca Guadagnino. Price also stars in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, which will premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

      Panelist Name

      Gideon Adlon

        Gideon Adlon recently wrapped production on Nicole Holofcener’s pilot Worried for Big Beach and can currently be seen recurring on the CBS hit comedy series Ghosts. It was recently announced that she will join the cast of HBO’s hit series Euphoria for its third season, and she also has the independent film Our Bodies and Other Shames in the can.

        Panelist Name

        Jeff Luppino-Esposito

          Jeff Luppino-Esposito is Sr. content strategist at IMDbPro. As a filmmaker and writer himself, his interviews and panels with stars and industry professionals have been praised for their in-depth and candid approach to craft and process. Outside of IMDbPro, he’s best known as the co-creator of the chart-topping musical podcast In Strange Woods and the stage musical Love Is Dead.

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