“Rick” Perez oversees a portfolio of Sundance Institute strategic partnerships focused on the convergence of nonfiction filmmaking, innovative thought leadership, and themes vital to contemporary societies. These initiatives include Stories of Change, a Sundance Institute partnership with the Skoll Foundation that harnesses the power of storytelling to advance the work of leading social entrepreneurs. Mr. Perez is also a senior reviewer for the Sundance Documentary Film Fund; frequently participates as a speaker, panelist and moderator at domestic and international events focusing on non-fiction filmmaking; leads workshops on documentary storytelling; and nurtures filmmakers throughout the world, including artists traditionally underrepresented in the field of non-fiction cinema.
In addition to his work at Sundance Institute, Mr. Perez executive produced and directed the feature documentary, Cesar’s Last Fast, a film about the spiritual commitment of American civil rights and labor leader Cesar E. Chavez that premiered in competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Prior to joining the Sundance staff, Mr. Perez was an executive producer at Brave New Films where he produced two documentary series and directed a third. Richard Ray Perez holds a bachelor of arts degree in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University.
