Edward Norton, Olivia Wilde and Natalie Portman condemn ICE at Sundance

The red carpets at the Sundance Film Festival have turned into sites of protest, as actors and filmmakers use one of cinema’s most influential platforms to speak out against US immigration enforcement and police violence.

With demonstrations continuing in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of anti-ICE protester Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent, several high-profile figures attending Sundance have publicly condemned the actions of law enforcement and the federal government. Many, including Olivia Wilde, Zoey Deutch and Natalie Portman, have been wearing “ICE Out” pins at premieres and festival events.

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“We’re all here getting to celebrate something really beautiful and hopeful in film storytelling. But the world is hurting right now, and this country is hurting. And it’s appalling,” Wilde told Variety on the carpet ahead of the Friday night premiere of her film “The Invite”.

Edward Norton, in Park City for Wilde’s dinner-party-set drama, echoed the sentiment while speaking at The Hollywood Reporter’s studio alongside Wilde and Seth Rogen. Reflecting on how current events have reshaped even casual conversation, Norton remarked, “These days it’s: ’What are we gonna do about mass Gestapo shooting American citizens?’” He added, “We are sitting here talking about movies while an illegal army is being mounted against US citizens.”

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The political mood carried into the screenings themselves. Before the showing of his film “Zi” director Kogonada addressed the audience directly, linking the role of cinema to the moment’s unrest. “I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge everything that is happening in Minnesota,” he said. “I’m a believer in what [Roger] Ebert says that cinema is an empathizing machine. In the darkest time, you hope that art doesn’t feel indulgent but that it deepens our sense of humanity. I feel like more than ever it is important to do that to counter what is happening around the world.”

Natalie Portman, speaking separately to Deadline, delivered one of the strongest rebukes of the current administration. “What’s going on in this country right now is absolutely horrific,” she said. “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.”

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Tensions at the festival were further underscored by an incident earlier in the week involving a sitting US lawmaker. During a CAA-hosted party at the High West Saloon in Park City, a man was arrested after allegedly forcing his way into the private event and assaulting Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost and an unidentified woman. According to sources, the altercation began with racially charged remarks in the restroom, where the man allegedly proclaimed pride in being “white” before striking a person of colour, later identified as Frost.

Frost later confirmed the attack in a social media post, writing, “Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.”

In a statement following the incident, Sundance organisers said, “The safety and security of our festival goers remains our chief concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being.”