FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE CREATIVE COALITION UNVEILS ITS 2026 SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE HONOREES
Rosanna Arquette, Anthony Bregman, Giancarlo Esposito, Rob Lowe, Iliza Shlesinger and Benedict Wong to Be Celebrated Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Park City
Park City, UT (January 13, 2026) — At a moment when independent film continues to set the cultural agenda and ignite the industry’s boldest ideas, The Creative Coalition today announced the honorees for its 19th Annual Spotlight Initiative Awards, presented in Park City. The Spotlight Initiative Awards honor artists and storytellers whose work embodies creative risk, originality, and social impact with this year’s Honorees representing a dynamic cross-section of talent pushing independent storytelling forward both on screen and behind the camera.
HONOREES:
Rosanna Arquette (The Moment, After Hours, Pulp Fiction)
Anthony Bregman (Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, In the Heights, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
Giancarlo Esposito (The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Do the Right Thing, Breaking Bad)
Rob Lowe (The Musical, About Last Night, The Outsiders)
Iliza Shlesinger (Chasing Summer, Spenser Confidential)
Benedict Wong (Rock Springs, Weapons, Doctor Strange)
WHEN & WHERE
Saturday evening, January 24, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Buona Vita I Park City, Utah
The event convenes notable filmmakers, talent and industry leaders for an evening celebrating independent film’s power to provoke, challenge, and inspire.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Spotlight Initiative Awards Dinner are now available at: https://thecreativecoalition.org/2026-spotlight-initiative-awards-gala-dinner/
“For nearly two decades, the Spotlight Initiative Awards have honored artists who choose the harder path to tell stories that matter,” said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition. “This year’s honorees remind us that protecting creative freedom isn’t optional—it’s essential.”
“Independent film is the engine that keeps this industry honest, inventive, and alive,” added Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition. “Celebrating these voices in Park City is a powerful affirmation that meaningful storytelling still begins with courage and conviction.”
The Spotlight Initiative Awards have recognized many of the most influential figures in film and culture, including Uzo Aduba, Alan Arkin, Ellen Barkin, Harry Belafonte, Kate Bosworth, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicolas Cage, Lee Daniels, Peter Dinklage, Colman Domingo, Jay Duplass, Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ed Harris, Dustin Hoffman, Jeremy Irons, Anna Kendrick, Zoë Kravitz, Spike Lee, Barry Levinson, William H. Macy, Demi Moore, Mandy Patinkin, Sean Penn, Gloria Steinem, Quentin Tarantino, Robin Williams, Alfre Woodard, and Shailene Woodley.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE COALITION
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan charity of the entertainment industry, dedicated to harnessing the power of arts and culture through award-winning public service and advocacy campaigns. Founded in 1989 by leading members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition educates artists on issues of public importance. Actor Tim Daly serves as President.
MEDIA CONTACT
Madison Thomas, PMK Entertainment
Madison.Thomas@pmkentertainment.com; TCC@pmkentertainment.com