Entertainment
Robert Redford: Remembering a Hollywood Legend and Cultural Visionary
Robert Redford, the iconic actor, director, and environmentalist, passed away on September 16, 2025, at age 89. Renowned for films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and for founding the Sundance Institute, he transformed independent cinema. Beyond filmmaking, Redford was dedicated to environmental advocacy, leaving a lasting legacy in both fields.
Last Updated on September 16, 2025 by Daily News Staff
The world of cinema has lost one of its brightest stars. Robert Redford, the actor, director, environmentalist, and founder of the Sundance Institute, passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah. He was 89.
Redford’s life was defined not only by his remarkable performances on screen but also by his vision for a more inclusive and independent future for filmmaking. His legacy reaches far beyond Hollywood, leaving an enduring mark on culture, art, and environmental advocacy.
From Santa Monica to Stardom
Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, Redford came from humble beginnings. After a rocky start to his youth, he found his footing in the arts and eventually trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
His breakout came in the late 1960s with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), where his charismatic pairing with Paul Newman made him a household name. Soon after, films like The Sting (1973), The Way We Were (1973), and All the President’s Men (1976) cemented his reputation as both a leading man and a socially conscious performer.
Actor, Director, and Storyteller
Redford refused to be typecast as just a “pretty face.” His performances carried depth, curiosity, and quiet intensity. He later stepped behind the camera, making his directorial debut with Ordinary People (1980), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned him an Oscar for Best Director.
As a filmmaker, Redford championed complex human stories, often exploring themes of family, morality, and resilience. His work as both actor and director continues to inspire generations of artists.
The Birth of Sundance
Perhaps Redford’s greatest cultural contribution was the founding of the Sundance Institute in 1981, which launched the now world-renowned Sundance Film Festival.
What began as a haven for independent filmmakers grew into one of the most influential platforms for discovering new voices in cinema. Directors like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Ava DuVernay all owe part of their early recognition to Sundance’s commitment to fresh, innovative storytelling.
By creating this space, Redford reshaped the landscape of modern filmmaking, giving independent cinema legitimacy and visibility on a global scale.
A Champion for the Environment
Beyond Hollywood, Redford was a passionate advocate for conservation and environmental protection. A lifelong outdoorsman, he dedicated his platform to causes including renewable energy, wilderness preservation, and climate action. His love for nature was not performative—it was lived, reflected in his choice to call Utah’s mountains home.
Awards, Honors, and Legacy
Over his career, Redford earned countless accolades:
- An Academy Award for Best Director (Ordinary People).
- An Honorary Oscar recognizing his contributions to cinema.
- The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- The Kennedy Center Honors.
But beyond the awards, his true legacy lies in the lives and careers he helped shape, and in the films that continue to resonate with audiences decades after their release.
A Final Curtain
Robert Redford’s passing marks the end of an era. He embodied the golden age of American cinema while pushing its boundaries into new, independent territory. His work as an actor, director, mentor, and activist will continue to influence film and culture for generations.
In remembering Redford, we celebrate not just his films but also his vision of a world where stories matter, artists thrive, and nature is preserved for the future.
As he once said:
“Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world.”
Robert Redford spent his life proving that true.
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Redford
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Food and Beverage
NYC to Host 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10
New York City will host the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10, 2026 at Manhatta, featuring global volcanic regions, masterclasses, a Grand Tasting, and the Volcanic Wine Awards with JancisRobinson.com.
New York City is about to get a crash course in “wines with a sense of place.” Volcanic Wines International (VWI) announced the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference (IVWC), set for June 10, 2026 at Manhatta in Manhattan. The one-day event brings together producers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, and educators for tastings and masterclasses focused on wines grown in volcanic soils—an increasingly talked-about category known for its tension, mineral-driven structure, and unmistakable origin.
Why volcanic wines are having a moment
Volcanic vineyards sit on some of the planet’s most dramatic landscapes—think steep slopes, black sand, and lava-strewn terrain. But the conference isn’t just about scenery. The IVWC is built around a simple idea: volcanic terroir can shape wine in distinctive ways, influencing everything from texture and acidity to aromatics and perceived “energy” in the glass.
As VWI co-founder John Szabo, MS put it, volcanic wines often stand out for their “energy, structure, and clear sense of origin,” making them a natural fit for wine lists that prioritize discovery.
A global tasting tour—without leaving Manhattan
Hosted in what VWI calls the largest and most influential wine market in the U.S., the conference offers a rare side-by-side look at volcanic regions from around the world. Participating producers are expected from territories including:
- Etna (Sicily)
- Santorini (Greece)
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- Hungary
- Pantelleria (Italy)
- Lake County (California)
Masterclasses, seminars, and a Grand Tasting
The June 10 program is designed for wine professionals who want to go deeper than a quick sip. Attendees can expect guided tastings and educational sessions exploring how different volcanic soils—and the climates that surround them—can influence grape varieties and wine styles.
Seminars are slated to spotlight volcanic wines from:
- Soave (Italy)
- Etna
- Hungary
- Canary Islands
- Lazio (Italy)
The day also includes a Grand Tasting, where exhibiting wineries will pour for a curated audience of sommeliers, buyers, importers, educators, and media.
A new “Volcanic Origin” certification will be announced in the U.S.
One of the headline moments: the conference will host the official U.S. announcement of a new Volcanic Origin certification, created by the Vinora association of Auvergne, France. The certification is designed to help recognize authentic expressions from volcanic regions worldwide—an important step as interest grows and consumers look for clearer signals of provenance.
Volcanic Wine Awards + JancisRobinson.com partnership
VWI also highlighted a major media partnership with JancisRobinson.com for the Volcanic Wine Awards, an international competition celebrating standout wines from volcanic regions.
Award-winning wines will be featured on JancisRobinson.com and showcased in a dedicated space during the NYC conference.
“Volcanic regions produce some of the most characterful wines in the world,” said Tara Q Thomas, Managing Editor at JancisRobinson.com, adding that the partnership aims to bring greater attention to these terroirs.
The big picture: story-driven wine in a crowded market
Beyond the technical details, the conference is tapping into something the wine world is actively chasing: narrative and identity.
“Today more than ever, the wine world needs compelling stories that reconnect wine lovers with place and identity,” said Gino Colangelo, President of Colangelo & Partners and partner in VWI. Volcanic wines, he noted, offer “dramatic landscapes, ancient soils, and wines with unmistakable character.”
How to attend or exhibit
For information about exhibiting or attending, VWI directs inquiries to Bianca Panichi at bpanichi@colangelopr.com. Updates are also available at www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, with social channels on Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) and Facebook (Volcanic Wines International).
What to watch for (STM Daily News)
- Whether the new Volcanic Origin certification becomes a widely adopted benchmark
- Which regions and producers dominate the Volcanic Wine Awards spotlight
- How volcanic wines continue to move from “sommelier obsession” to broader consumer demand
Hungry for what’s next? STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section dishes up the latest in restaurant news, beverage trends, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and food culture stories readers love to share.
New hybrid event aims to give grieving audiences meaningful holiday viewing, with films from more than 25 countries and a mission centered on love, loss, and emotional truth.
A new film festival debuting in late 2026 is taking a different approach to holiday entertainment. Grief Fest™: The Grief Film Festival, created by My Grief Angels Inc., is being introduced as what organizers believe is the world’s first film festival dedicated entirely to grief, remembrance, resilience, and healing.
The hybrid festival will run in two segments: November 25–29, 2026, during Thanksgiving week, and December 24, 2026, through January 3, 2027, during Christmas and New Year’s. Top Honors films will be announced on December 31, 2026.
Organizers say the timing is intentional. Research cited in the announcement shows that grief and loneliness are major holiday stressors for many Americans, making the season especially difficult for people coping with loss. In that context, Grief Fest™ is positioning itself as an alternative to the flood of traditional feel-good holiday programming.
The festival is open to short films, features, documentaries, experimental work, AI-generated projects, and VR experiences. It is described as inclusive, non-religious, and LGBTQ+ friendly, with submissions already received from more than 25 countries. All films will be presented in English, either spoken or subtitled.
Grief Fest™ will be available both in person and virtually through Film Festival Plus, making it accessible to audiences worldwide. The launch of GriefFest.com also includes Lumen, a multilingual AI guide designed to help filmmakers and attendees navigate the festival in their preferred language.
Rather than focusing on industry prestige, organizers say the festival is centered on community and emotionally honest storytelling. For audiences who feel unseen during the holidays, Grief Fest™ is aiming to offer something rare on the seasonal screen: recognition.
Source: PR Newswire
Related Reading
- Grief Fest: Official festival site
- My Grief Angels Inc.: About the nonprofit behind the festival
- Film Festival Plus: Virtual access platform
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anime
Bible Anime Series in Development at Texas Studio With Global Faith-Based Ambitions
A Texas animation studio is developing a TV-MA Bible anime series, blending faith-based storytelling with cinematic anime for global streaming audiences.
Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff
A Fort Worth animation company is betting that faith-based storytelling and anime can meet in a way that feels cinematic, serious, and built for modern streaming audiences.
History In Motion Studios has announced Shinjitsu Ugoki (Truth Movement), a TV-MA Bible anime series now in development. The Texas-based studio says the project is designed for mature audiences and will present biblical narratives through serialized storytelling, theological research, and character-driven drama.
The announcement places the studio at the intersection of two growing markets: faith-based entertainmentand the global anime industry. Rather than aiming for a traditional family format, the series is being positioned as a more intense, long-form production shaped by conflict, consequence, and spiritual tension.
History In Motion Studios is also using Unreal Engine as part of its production pipeline to support cinematic world-building and high-fidelity environments. Script development, early character design, and broader production planning are underway through 2026.
Founder Edith Alvarado said the studio sees a major opportunity in bringing biblical storytelling into anime.
“As audiences continue to seek meaningful, story-driven content, we believe there is significant opportunity within the anime format to engage biblical narratives with depth and seriousness,” Alvarado said. “The question isn’t whether biblical stories belong in anime, it’s why it took this long. We’re here to change that; Anime will know the story of Jesus.”
The women-led Christian studio operates out of Fort Worth, adding to the growing list of independent creative companies building outside traditional entertainment hubs. As of Q1 2026, the series remains in active development, with more partnership and expansion announcements expected later this year.
Related Links
Source: History In Motion Studios
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