CineVantage announced today from the Sundance Film Festival that it has joined the Coca-Cola® Refreshing Films program as a technical partner, providing coaching for professional sound design, and music composition mentorship to up-and-coming filmmakers.
The announcement was made by CineVantage CEO and Founder Honnie Korngold, who is attending the festival as part of her ongoing commitment to supporting independent film and emerging voices in the industry.
The partnership expands the program’s technical partner roster, which includes professional cameras from RED Digital Cinema, Nikon Z-Cinema and Company 3 for color post production.
CineVantage will mentor the sound designers and composers throughout the program to deliver professional audio that elevates their branded spots to theatrical quality.
Coca-Cola Refreshing Films is a 28-year student filmmaking program and the longest running branded filmmaking program in the country, providing students the opportunity to create content for the big screen. The program is a direct impact of Coca-Cola’s dedication to support the future of filmmaking in the industry and provide opportunities for students from top film schools as well as underrepresented programs. Coca-Cola Refreshing Films has been a leader in providing real work experience for film students and has focused on exceeding the industry regarding diversity in all aspects of filmmaking.
Korngold brings a personal connection to film music history as a member of the family of two-time Academy Award®-winning composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
“As a member of the Korngold family, I’m honored to carry forward his legacy. His work inspired a whole generation of composers from John Williams to Hans Zimmer,” said Honnie Korngold, CEO and Founder of CineVantage. “Music and sound are often the missing pieces for student filmmakers. They have the vision but rarely access to professional composers and sound designers. This partnership allows us to give these storytellers the tools to make their work truly cinematic, just as he would have wanted.”
Each year, finalist teams receive funding and mentorship to produce their branded spots over a six-month, real-worldproduction experience. For the 2026 program, three finalist teams from partnered schools will create a 60-second spot, with access to theater locations from AMC Theatres, Cinemark, and B&B Theatres for production.
“Our goal is that every student involved uses this as an opportunity to further their careers,” said Aviva Kleiner, Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program. “Adding CineVantage as a partner means our filmmakers now have access to professional sound and scoring mentorship, a critical element that can transform good work into great work. This partnership strengthens the industry-modeled experience we provide.”
The Grand Prize-winning film will make its theatrical debut in AMC Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, B&B Theatres, and other Coca-Cola pouring theaters nationwide in the spring of 2026.
For more information about the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program, visit www.CocaColaRefreshingFilms.com and follow on Instagram @CocaColaRefreshingFilms.
