{"id":710512,"date":"2026-02-05T14:20:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/whats-the-secret-sauce-for-a-great-sundance-party-brilliant-consultings-danielle-pelland-looks-back-on-21-years-of-curating-main-streets-hottest-hangs\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T14:20:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:20:12","slug":"whats-the-secret-sauce-for-a-great-sundance-party-brilliant-consultings-danielle-pelland-looks-back-on-21-years-of-curating-main-streets-hottest-hangs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/whats-the-secret-sauce-for-a-great-sundance-party-brilliant-consultings-danielle-pelland-looks-back-on-21-years-of-curating-main-streets-hottest-hangs\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Secret Sauce for a Great Sundance Party? Brilliant Consulting\u2019s Danielle Pelland Looks Back on 21 Years of Curating Main Street\u2019s Hottest Hangs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tIt\u2019s not always easy to get high-profile industry professionals on the record, especially when it comes to stories about parties of all things. <\/p>\n

\n\tHowever, it required minimal effort to secure interviews with four film insiders because the subject was Brilliant Consulting<\/a> and the firm\u2019s founder Danielle Pelland. As the head of the full-service event production company specializing in the entertainment industry, Pelland is responsible for throwing more than 300 events in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival over 21 years. <\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cDanielle is so great at planning festival parties \u2014\u00a0and many other events \u2014 because of her dedication to ensuring true personalization. When she takes on an event for a film she wants to ensure that it is a reflection of the work of the filmmaking team and adapts the environment to make that so. She is completely on top of everything in a way that has the client at ease for the whole night,\u201d says veteran producer and Academy president Lynette Howell-Taylor. \u201cDanielle is my first call every single time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBlack Bear\u2019s Teddy Schwarzman said he\u2019s worked with Pelland since they started the company 15 years ago. \u201cDanielle is without a doubt the hardest working person in show business. I don\u2019t know how she does it. She curates singular events across all budget ranges, is beyond creative, and makes sure filmmakers, talent and brands are taken care of. She does all the little things right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cNothing phases her,\u201d says indie film guru Cassian Elwes. \u201cUnlike most people doing events at the festivals she understands what makes a great party and who should and could be there to make it better. We started with one small movie in Sundance called Dirty Love<\/em> with Jenny McCarthy. Unlike the title, it was a classy affair and after that I wanted no one else working on my movies<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDavid Hinojosa worked with Pelland and Brilliant Consulting at last month\u2019s festival for an event following the world premiere of A24\u2019s The Moment<\/em> starring Charli xcx. \u201cAt the risk of dating us both, I\u2019ve been working with Danielle for over a decade. Danielle knows that the event following a world premiere is an extension of that film\u2019s identity and vibe. Time and again she has brought that vision to life with impeccable execution, as well as a warmth that makes the celebration memorable for the film team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAs the Sundance Film Festival made its final bow in Park City, Utah last month before moving on to Boulder, Colorado, The Hollywood Reporter<\/em> checked in with Pelland to get her to open up on her long history of throwing some of the festival\u2019s wildest nights, the secret sauce for hosting a great Sundance hang, and the most memorable performances from years past (including Selena Gomez rocking out in a furniture store).<\/p>\n

\n\tWhen was your first Sundance?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt was 2005. The first event I ever did was for a movie called Dirty Love, which was being sold by [William Morris agent] Cassian Elwes. A commodities trader friend of mine from Chicago was involved in th4e film and he called to ask if I would come to Sundance to throw a party for them. I am entrepreneurial so I agreed and went out to find sponsors for it. I secured Joe\u2019s Jeans, Smashbox Cosmetics and Maxim. I raised all this money and my friend told me to keep it. I was, like, wait, this is a business?<\/p>\n

\n\tHow much did you raise?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tAround $80,000, and the event cost $25,000. It was such a random way to get into the business but that\u2019s how it happ<\/a>ened. I now have some studio clients but consistently, since day one, I have been curating sponsored events. I have built relationships with so many independent producers and what I do helps support them. I\u2019ve gone back year after year, and I counted the total \u2014 323 events over 21 years.<\/p>\n

\n\tThat\u2019s a huge number. It\u2019s probably hard to remember each and every one but can you tell me about some of the more memorable events?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tOne of the most fun events that we did was a karaoke party, and Elle Fanning and Peter Dinklage sang together. That was so cute and fun. A lot of the memorable events featured performances. We had John Legend perform for Monster<\/em>, A$AP Rocky performed for Dope<\/em>, and MGK, Erykah Badu and Nas performed for The Land.<\/em> One of the best ones was a party for the movie Rudderless<\/em>, and Selena Gomez performed for 75 people in the top floor of a furniture store. We had all these scenarios that are so hard to imagine today. Another event that I really loved doing was for Patti Cake$ <\/em>starring Danielle Macdonald. It was such a hot title at the festival, and everyone was trying to sign her. Agents and buyers were texting me trying to get in to the party, which had a really good energy to it.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tDinklage and Fanning sing karaoke during the I Think We\u2019re Alone Now<\/em> cast party at Chase Sapphire on Main in Park City, Utah on Jan. 21, 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Evan Agostini\/Invision for Chase Sapphire\/AP Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\n\tWhat is the key to good energy and throwing a great party at Sundance?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt depends. One of the reasons we work so well with Chase is because they really respect what we\u2019re trying to create together. It\u2019s about creating the right environment with a full premium bar, plenty of food, enough capacity so that you can get everybody in, and making it an all around great experience. Obviously, every event tries to stand out in some way so if you can get someone to perform, like John Legend, it can be fun and memorable. We did the party for Goat<\/em> starring Nick Jonas, and he really wanted Craig\u2019s to cater so I helped coordinate the whole thing. Can you imagine trying to find a restaurant on Main Street during Sundance that would let us take over their restaurant so that Craig\u2019s chefs could come in? It was not easy, but we found one and were able to flip this restaurant in one day so that Nick could have Craig\u2019s there to cater the party for his movie. <\/p>\n

\n\tAny other wild requests from talent?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tNot necessarily wild requests, but we\u2019re always trying to think outside the box. For this year, we worked with Netflix for an event they did in honor of Guillermo del Toro and we were able to work with Holbox and chef Gilbert Cetina to come in and do the catering. Everyone tries to put a fun twist on events and create a memorable event for guests. <\/p>\n

\n\tYou must encounter some big names early in their careers?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tYes, so many breakout directors. I\u2019ve gotten to work with them for the first time when their movies come to Sundance. One that stands out is the party I did for Ryan Coogler and Fruitvale Station<\/em> starring Michael B. Jordan. He really started at Sundance and now he\u2019s a huge filmmaker. I remember that they were so humble and nice guys. The party was so fun. We did it at the Grey Goose Blue Door, which hosted a lot of parties.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tGomez performs during a party at the Sundance Film Festival in this file photo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy of Brilliant Consulting<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\n\tYou worked on the CAA party this year, which became a topic of conversation for obvious reasons (after Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost was allegedly assaulted by a party crasher). Any fallout?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tWe handled it professionally. When the congressman released a statement, he thanked the security and Park City police. It was an unfortunate situation involving a man who snuck in through the back somehow, but it was dealt with swiftly in the best way possible. There\u2019s no rift with CAA, and they\u2019ve been very supportive.<\/p>\n

\n\tHow hard is it to manage an event that everyone wants to get into? Have you ever walked out to a hundred people lined up trying to get into one of your events?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tI don\u2019t work the door anymore because the demand can be so high and I know so many people so it is too challenging. Once I walked out and had five different groups of people coming at me trying to get in. Obviously, there are capacity issues and we never want to go over capacity in case talent arrives or there\u2019s someone you need to get in quickly. It\u2019s magic. Somehow we don\u2019t hit capacity and everyone that needs to get in gets in somehow. <\/p>\n

\n\tYou\u2019ve been going to Park City and see the party landscape change with the times. I remember the early days when there were no brand parties, then it became an explosion of activations, brand parties and swag houses, etc. Is there more of a meaningful relationship today with the festival?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tWhen I first started doing events during Sundance, I wasn\u2019t working with the festival in any capacity. I was just working on events that needed sponsors and I would go find them. Then over the last 10 to 15 years or so, a lot of brands would show up and activate that weren\u2019t official festival sponsors. They were doing pop-ups or celebrity seeding, and there was a lot of action on Main Street. But then Sundance\u2019s corporate development team really worked hard to realize the power of aligning with official corporate sponsors. For me, it didn\u2019t feel right to not work in an official capacity with them and only work with the official brands that are partners of the festival. That\u2019s why we work so closely with Chase and Acura and brands that are really there to support filmmakers. I rarely work with a brand that\u2019s not an official sponsor now.<\/p>\n

\n\tSo you were busy this year at the Chase Sapphire Lounge. Any other events in 2026 that were highlights for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tTo celebrate the 20th anniversary of Searchlight\u2019s Little Miss Sunshine<\/em>, we did a pop-up that was very successful. People were really excited about that one. Similarly, a couple of years ago, we worked on Napoleon Dynamite<\/em> for that film\u2019s anniversary by having a flash mob on Main Street. Such a fun moment, and a way to bring these films back and celebrate them. We also did a party after the screening of Little Miss Sunshine<\/em>, and the talent stayed until very late just hanging out with one another and enjoying the opportunity to be back in Park City.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tDanielle Pelland, right, of Brilliant Consulting poses next to a Little Miss Sunshine<\/em> activation in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy of Brilliant Consulting<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\n\tWhat\u2019s the latest talent has ever stayed at a party?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s interesting but actors often stay until the end, and that\u2019s part of the magic of Sundance parties. When you have the right environment, the right room, the right premium bar and great food, everyone is comfortable and they stay quite late. It\u2019s more rare that they leave early.<\/p>\n

\n\tYou do events all over the world. How does Sundance compare to say, Cannes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tAt Sundance, you\u2019re always dealing with a huge volume of events. I think we did 35 events this year, and so there\u2019s a lot of juggling that goes on when you\u2019re doing events for films that are sales titles compared to other films with distributors. We did a party for The Moment this year which was very fun. Poppi sponsored it, and Charli xcx\u2019s team was very involved. That party stood out to me because Chase became more of a nightclub for the night. Charli brought in two DJs that she wanted, and the crowd was so great. Poppi made it very fun with their involvement.<\/p>\n

\n\tBut Cannes is a different landscape. I will say that we did a party for Splitsville<\/em> last year that was one of the most fun parties I\u2019ve ever put together. The energy in the room was insane, everyone was dancing on the furniture, the DJ was amazing and we had sparklers in champagne bottles \u2014\u00a0it was unbelievable. Talent came over from their own parties because they were hearing about how fun it was. Alexander Skarsgard came with his dad. It was the best party I\u2019ve thrown in a long time.<\/p>\n

\n\tBack to Sundance. What was it like to get on the plane to come home this year wrapping up these 21 years at the festival and leaving Park City for the last time?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt was emotional. I called my friend, the commodities trader in Chicago who hired me for that first event to tell him about the moment. But I think I\u2019ll always go back to Park City. I go every year with my kids for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We ski for the weekend, and then I send them home so I can prep for Sundance. We will still have that tradition because it\u2019s such a part of their lives. But there\u2019s always Boulder, so we\u2019ll see about that for next year.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tA$AP Rocky performs during the Dope<\/em> after party inside the Acura Studio in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24, 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy of Brilliant Consulting<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tMGK performs during a party for The Land <\/em>at the Acura Studio in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25, 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Joe Scarnici\/Getty Images for Acura \/ Courtesy of Brilliant Consulting<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not always easy to get high-profile industry professionals on the record, especially when it comes to stories about parties of all things. However, it required minimal effort to secure interviews with four film insiders because the subject was Brilliant Consulting and the firm\u2019s founder Danielle Pelland. As the head of the full-service event production…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":710513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EVN_4353_f.jpg?crop=0px%2C313px%2C3000px%2C1679px&resize=1440%2C810","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[43365,160418,72883,21850,10960,160359],"class_list":["post-710512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-mediaa","tag-festivals","tag-indie-filmmakers","tag-john-legend","tag-nick-jonas","tag-selena-gomez","tag-sundance-2026"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=710512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/710513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=710512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=710512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=710512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}