CODA - Encore
by Karen Pecota

The Independent feature film, CODA was the darling of the virtual Sundance Film Festival in 2021, winning four festival awards. The virtual platform the festival offered was a success and an enjoyment for many during the height of COVID-19 lock-down. It was a global experience and opportunity to screen the film festival's finest. A year later, CODA is honored with official Academy Awards Oscar nominations in several categories and winning Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and the Best Supporting Actor Award given to Troy Kotsur.

The first in-person festival since the COVID-19 lock-down occurred this January of 2023. To celebrate it seemed only fitting for the festival organizers to bring the feature film CODA back into the line-up as a special encore.

Prior to screening, the director, Siân Heder, introduces the film to the audience and is thrilled beyond measure to do so. Admittedly, she explains that it was with great joyed to receive the surprising accolades given to her film at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival; but, then not to be able to present the film on a Sundance Film Festival big screen was somewhat anticlimactic. Heder experienced first-hand the energy and thrill with a previous film of hers selected to the festival some years back. She wanted her cast and crew to be able to experience the excitement of showcasing their work at the festival, and all that comes with being a film chosen to appear in the Sundance film festival line-up. Truly a big deal!

This time around, most of the cast was in attendance for the special screening and the Q & A was full of energy and story, as they reminisced of the feelings felt when they won the Sundance Awards, and then the Oscar Awards. The impact the film has had on their lives has propelled them forward with new opportunities within the industry.

Everyone enjoyed this moment, almost as much as if it was a first time presenting their story!