Watch live as the Sundance Film Festival opens in Park City

“I can see the headline: ‘I don’t like Oscars, ‘” Redford joked.

Later, concerned at how his remark might be interpreted by the press in attendance, Redford elaborated.

For some of the first few years I went to Sundance, I was part of the infamous “blogger condo” behind the Racquet Club (now know as The MARC). To me it’s about the work. Whatever reward comes of it that’s great. Sundance, since its inception over 20 years ago, has served to showcase films from an ethnically diverse pool of film-makers who have gone on to become powerful forces in the industry.

In a moment where high-profile black performers and directors (including Spike Lee, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith) are boycotting the Oscars and the Academy’s president is promising “big changes”, Redford’s refusal to take a stance on Hollywood’s diversity issues is particularly noteworthy. It’s a word that I’ve operated from personally for most of my life… And this year, it’s all about virtual reality, said festival director John Cooper.

“We don’t bring them up”, Redford said.

“Commenting on the YouTube-led programs, Michelle Satter, founding director of Sundance’s Feature Film Program, said: “[They] will support the next generation of artists who are shaping the very nature of the form and bringing fresh, original series to audiences”.

The roster of competition films is more varied, with such titles as “Jim: The James Foley Story”, about the young war correspondent murdered by ISIS; “Newtown”, which delves into parents’ grief after the Sandy Hook massacre; “Suited”, which counts Lena Dunham as a producer and spotlights tailors who specialize in making clothing for transgender bodies; and “Kiki”, about the culture of underground dance battles in New York City.

“On YouTube, there are no limits to creative freedom and we are committed to actively advancing the work of innovative, risk-taking storytellers worldwide”, said Danielle Tiedt, Chief Marketing Officer at YouTube, in a release.

“Diversity comes out of the word ‘independence, ‘” Redford said.

“I want to make it clear that I’m not against the mainstream”, said Redford, himself an Oscar victor. What I mean is I’m not focused on that part. It was meant to broaden the category is all. Independent film is not in a good place, but it’s always been tough.

“It just kept coming and kept coming and it’s fascinating”, he said. “That’s when I realized we were creating opportunity to have more viewership”. Stylized and full of footage on-screen and backstage from Lear’s shows like All In The Family, The Jefferson and Maude, tonight’s film also featured appearances by Amy Poehler, George Clooney, Disney’s Alan Horn, Rob Reiner, Lena Dunham, Jon Stewart among many more.

Banners for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival appear along Main Street on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Park City, Utah.