At the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, roughly 100 demonstrators gathered on Main Street to protest against ongoing ICE raids and honor Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were fatally shot by ICE and border patrol agents. The demonstration, titled Sundancers Melt Ice, lasted just ten minutes at sunset and included attendees chanting “Love Melts Ice!” alongside actor Elijah Wood, known for his role in Lord of the Rings. The protest highlighted the festival’s engagement with social issues through the Elijah Wood Sundance protest.
Elijah Wood’s Statement on the Tragic Deaths
Wood spoke to Deadline expressing his grief over the shootings.
“The folks who have been unlawfully gunned down in Minnesota — it’s awful,”
he said. He emphasized the spirit of Sundance as a unifying platform amid division:
“Here we are at this film festival that is about bringing people together; it’s about telling stories from all over the world. We’re not divided here; we’re coming together.”
Festival Atmosphere Charged with Activism and Solidarity
The weekend saw many actors and actresses openly opposing ICE, with some wearing ICE out pins at premieres to express their dissent. Natalie Portman, star and producer of Gallerist, harshly criticized what she called the worst actions of the federal government and ICE. At the Sundance studio, she said,
“What’s going on in this country right now is absolutely horrific. What the federal government, Trump’s government, Kristi Noem, ICE — what they’re doing is really the worst of the worst of humanity. And then we have the best of humanity for the way people are showing up for each other.”
Broader Political Tensions and Past Protests at Sundance
The festival also witnessed a racially motivated assault on Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost at a CAA party, for which the assailant was arrested. Sundance has a history of politically charged events, including a Pro-Palestinian protest two years ago attended by Melissa Barrera, and a women’s march in 2018 featuring Jane Fonda, Tessa Thompson, Common, and Gloria Allred speaking during heavy snowfall. These protests continue to shape the festival’s identity as a place where activism intersects with art and culture.
The Importance of Activism During Cultural Events
The Elijah Wood Sundance protest, while brief, symbolizes a significant stance against ICE violence and federal policies affecting marginalized communities. It aligns with a broader tradition at Sundance where artists and audiences use the platform to call out injustices and promote unity. As the festival progresses, this protest reflects a growing demand for accountability and human rights awareness within the entertainment industry and beyond.
“Love melts ICE,” protesters chant at #SundanceFilmFestival (Video: Laura Grier) pic.twitter.com/cTyR8YO2By
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 26, 2026
