‘Wicked’ Helmer Jon M. Chu to Receive Vanguard Director Award from the SCAD Savannah Film Festival

Fresh off helming the most popular movie musical of last year, IndieWire can exclusively share that acclaimed “Wicked” filmmaker Jon M. Chu will receive the Vanguard Director Award at the 2025 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. The honor, in recognition of his visionary storytelling, will be bestowed upon Chu on Sunday, Oct. 26, during an award presentation that will include a conversation about his career, featuring select clips from Chu’s filmography, as well as chatter about his upcoming film with Universal Pictures, “Wicked: For Good.”

“Jon M. Chu embodies what it means to be a Vanguard,” said Christina Routhier, senior executive director of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival via a statement. “From guiding global icons with a steady, inspired hand, to collaborating with authors, designers, and musicians at the highest level, Chu’s vision turns cultural moments into cinematic milestones. For SCAD students, his career is a masterclass in how storytelling shapes culture, with this conversation offering an inside look into his groundbreaking contributions to worldwide cinema. We are excited to honor a storyteller whose artistry will continue to inspire audiences and empower the next generation of filmmakers.”

More from IndieWire

In addition to directing “Wicked,” a box office phenomenon that also earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, respectively, Chu has made a name for himself with kinetic work across various genres. His groundbreaking film adaptation of “Crazy Rich Asians” was nominated for numerous awards, including a SAG Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a PGA Award, in addition to being the first contemporary studio picture in more than 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast, opening a new chapter in Asian American representation in Hollywood.

After “Wicked: For Good,” out Friday, Nov. 21, and starring Erivo, Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, Chu is attached to direct a highly anticipated biopic of Britney Spears as well as Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

Presented by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the SCAD Savannah Film Festival — the largest university-run film festival in the world — returns for its 28th year Saturday, Oct. 25 through Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Festival passes for 2025 are available now. Individual event tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 3.

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.