Quick Read
- Ethan Hawke attended the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on January 23 and 25.
- He advised his daughter, Maya Hawke, to ‘move on’ from her role in ‘Stranger Things’ following its recent conclusion.
- Hawke recently earned an Oscar nomination for his lead performance as Lorenz Hart in the film ‘Blue Moon’.
- Maya Hawke has pursued a diverse career including roles in films like ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ and as a singer-songwriter.
- Ethan Hawke also participated in a tribute event for Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford.
PARK CITY (Azat TV) – Veteran actor Ethan Hawke has been a prominent presence at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, this week, engaging with fellow industry figures and celebrating cinematic achievements. Simultaneously, Hawke has been candid about his guidance for his daughter, Maya Hawke, as she navigates her burgeoning career following the recent conclusion of the massively popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. This period marks a pivotal moment for both father and daughter, as Ethan Hawke himself recently earned an Oscar nomination for his lead role in the film Blue Moon, underscoring his enduring influence in Hollywood.
Guiding a Daughter’s Next Chapter
Ethan Hawke has publicly encouraged his daughter, Maya Hawke, to embrace new opportunities after her six-year tenure as Robin Buckley on Stranger Things came to an end earlier this month. Speaking to Variety, Hawke offered straightforward advice, stating, “Time to move on. You got to do it, and move on. Don’t look back.” This counsel comes as Maya, whose character became a fan favorite, concludes a significant chapter in her professional life.
Beyond her breakout role in the sci-fi phenomenon, Maya Hawke has already diversified her portfolio, appearing in notable films such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, the animated hit Inside Out 2, and Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City. She has also carved out a successful career as a singer-songwriter, releasing three studio albums to date. Her father’s advice emphasizes the importance of forward momentum in an industry constantly seeking fresh narratives and talent.
Navigating Industry Pressures and Perceptions
The conversation around career progression in Hollywood often includes the evolving dynamics of social media and its perceived influence. Maya Hawke has previously voiced her observations on this, suggesting that some films might be greenlit based on a star’s Instagram follower count rather than purely artistic merit. On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, she remarked, “I don’t care about Instagram. Instagram sucks. Right, well just so you know, if you have over this many followers you can get the movie funded.” She described this as a “confusing line to walk.”
She further recounted an instance where she considered deleting her Instagram account, only for a director to caution her about the implications. “Just so you know, when I’m casting a movie with some producers, they hand me a sheet with the amount of collective followers I have to get from the cast,” the director reportedly told her. “So if you delete your Instagram and I lose those followers, understand these are the kinds of people I need to cast around you.” This anecdote highlights the complex interplay between artistic integrity and commercial viability in contemporary filmmaking.
Ethan Hawke himself has also weighed in on audience engagement, particularly among younger generations. Last year, he notably “chastised young people for ‘not watching more movies’,” as reported by MovieMaker. He expressed frustration that while they are “perfectly willing to binge watch, for weeks of their life, something they know is really super okay,” they often overlook classic cinema readily available on platforms like the Criterion Channel, urging them to “be watching Badlands as we speak.”
A Season of Recognition and Celebration for Ethan Hawke
While offering guidance to his daughter, Ethan Hawke is also enjoying a period of significant personal acclaim. He recently received an Oscar nomination for his compelling lead performance in Blue Moon, where he portrays the American lyricist Lorenz Hart. This nomination adds to his already distinguished career, which spans decades and includes four previous Academy Award nominations.
His presence at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival further underscores his active role in the independent film community. On January 25, Hawke was spotted flashing a peace sign during the festival, reflecting a relaxed yet engaged demeanor. Just two days prior, on January 23, he joined fellow actor Woody Harrelson to attend a special event, “Celebrating Sundance Institute A Tribute to Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford,” in Park City, Utah. These appearances highlight Hawke’s ongoing commitment to the craft and his connection to the foundational elements of American independent cinema.
The confluence of Ethan Hawke’s Oscar nomination, his visible engagement at a major film festival, and his pragmatic advice to his daughter navigating a post-blockbuster career underscores a generational shift in Hollywood. It reflects not only the enduring value of seasoned talent but also the evolving landscape where traditional artistic pursuits increasingly intersect with new media pressures and audience engagement strategies.