Sophie Thatcher attends the Rising Star Party at the Sun Valley Film Festival on March 30, 2023 in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for the Sun Valley Film Festival) 

The Sun Valley Film Festival kicked off this week with Day 1 and Day 2 of its 2023 program, featuring attending guests Sophie Thatcher, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater and the Opening Night screening of Wild Life. 

On Wednesday, March 29, the Sun Valley Film Festival began with their Opening Night screening of Wild Life, followed by a virtual Q&A with the film’s director, Jimmy Chin. On Thursday, March 30, the festival held its Rising Star Party in celebration of Rising Star Honoree, Sophie Thatcher. Additionally, showrunners Tony Phelan and Joan Rater attended a Q&A following the screening of the new National Geographic series, A Small Light. Producers Rachael Fung and Sudnya Shroff also took part in a Q&A following the screening of their film, Fremont. 

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – MARCH 29: Director Jimmy Chin attends virtual Q&A with Chris Albert, EVP, Communications, Talent Relations & Events for National Geographic Content and Disney Branded Television after the Opening Night screening of Wild Life at the Sun Valley Film Festival on March 29, 2023 in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for the Sun Valley Film Festival) 

Opening Night at the Sun Valley Film Festival on March 29, 2023 in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for the Sun Valley Film Festival) 

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – MARCH 30: Joan Rater and Tony Phelan attend Q&A in the Nat Geo Salon to discuss historical storytelling following the screening of Nat Geo’s A Small Light at the Sun Valley Film Festival on March 30, 2023 in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for the Sun Valley Film Festival)