As many in the entertainment industry navigate the devastating effects of the California wildfires, some will soon be decamping to cleaner air in the mountains. The annual begins Thursday in Park City, Utah.
The 41st edition of brainchild will, as always, be a year of discovery and discussion. There are timely films:
鈥� 鈥淔ree Leonard Peltier,鈥� which will premiere just days after former of the Indigenous activist nearly half a century after he was imprisoned for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.
鈥� Oscar-winner a joint production between The Associated Press and Frontline about an attempt to liberate an occupied territory in Ukraine
鈥� Several films about trans rights including 鈥淗eightened Scrutiny,鈥� about . It's a topic even more pressing after President Donald Trump signed executive orders Monday .
There are even some controversies brewing: 鈥淭he Stringer,鈥� from documentary filmmaker Bao Nguyen, calls into question who took the . Retired AP photographer Nick Ut and the AP, which conducted , and lawyers have asked for it to be pulled from the program.
鈥淭he film is an investigation,鈥� said Eugene Hernandez, the director of the festival, who is moving forward with plans to screen it. 鈥淚 think it will be a really important conversation that will come out over the next few days after the film is seen by more people.鈥�
Don鈥檛 worry, it鈥檚 not all heavy. There鈥檚 drama of course, even a film about starting over after a fire (鈥淩ebuilding,鈥� with Josh O鈥機onnor), horror, satire, literary adaptations, comedy, documentaries about famous faces, and some that simply defy categorization.
鈥淭here鈥檚 some really funny stuff in the program,鈥� Hernandez said. One of those Hernandez cited is 鈥淏ubble & Squeak,鈥� about a married couple accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where they鈥檙e banned.
For first time filmmakers, Sundance can be their chance to break through in a big way. That happened last year for . Some films that debuted last January are still in the awards conversation, like and For actors, the festival is both a casual respite to awards season glitz (snow boots are more likely on red carpets than high heels) and can be a chance to show audiences a new dimension of their talent.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a strong year of renewal for our artist community,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淎nd we have a lot of really great voices and stories that we get to unveil in the coming days.鈥�
Here鈥檚 everything you need to know:
When is Sundance?
Sundance runs from Jan. 23 through Feb. 2. There are premiering across the 11 days, with screenings starting early in the morning through midnight. Award-winners will be announced on Jan. 31.
What celebrities are expected?
Stars with films premiering include Jennifer Lopez, Benedict Cumberbatch, Diego Luna, Conan O鈥橞rien, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Ayo Edebiri, Olivia Colman, Andr茅 Holland, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Bowen Yang, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Lily Gladstone, Dev Patel, Emily Watson, John Lithgow, Marlee Matlin, John Malkovich, Rose Byrne, Chlo毛 Sevigny, Josh O鈥機onnor, Ben Whishaw, Dylan O鈥橞rien, Lili Reinhart and Willem Dafoe.
What are some of the big movies?
One of the greatest things about Sundance is that it鈥檚 often the under-the-radar movies that become the breakouts.
But some of the higher-profile premieres going into the festival include: Bill Condon鈥檚 鈥淜iss of the Spider-Woman,鈥� starring ; documentary 鈥淪LY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)鈥�; 鈥淥pus,鈥� a horror about the cult of celebrity with and John Malkovich; Andrew Ahn鈥檚 鈥淭he Wedding Banquet,鈥� with Bowen Yang and Kelly Marie Tran; the war satire 鈥淎tropia,鈥� with Alia Shawkat; 鈥淧ee-wee as Himself,鈥� about the late ; 鈥淢arlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore鈥�; and Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman鈥檚 doc 鈥淭he Alabama Solution,鈥� about a cover-up in .
How is the festival addressing the California wildfires?
Festival organizers have been in dialogue with filmmakers, staff, audiences and donors about the effects of the fires, supporting and accommodating where possible including pushing back deadlines to allow filmmakers more time to finish. The festival will also have a QR code displayed before screenings for information on sharing resources or contributing to relief efforts.
鈥淎s hard as the last week has been, this will be a moment to come together,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淭he community鈥檚 really responding to support those who need it most right now. I think that鈥檚 going to be a profound aspect of this year鈥檚 festival.鈥�
Is Sundance really leaving Park City?
For the most part, yes. Starting in 2027 the festival will . It may stay in Utah but would operate mainly out of Salt Lake City. Other finalists are Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The Sundance Institute is expected to announce its final decision in the first quarter of 2025.
鈥淧ark City as the home of Sundance is such a special place,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淚 look at it optimistically because we have two more exciting years in this current configuration. I think we鈥檙e going to make the most of those two years and make them as memorable and meaningful as we can.鈥�
When can I watch Sundance movies?
Access to the movies premiering at Sundance doesn鈥檛 necessary require an expensive trip to Park City anymore. The festival has fully embraced an online component for many of their films.
What started as a necessary COVID-19 adjustment has become a vital part of the program. From Jan. 30 through Feb. 2, audiences can stream much of the program online. Prices start at $35 for a single film ticket and go up to $800 for unlimited access.
Otherwise, films that secure distribution can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year to hit theaters or streaming services. 鈥淧resence,鈥� which premiered last January, is just hitting theaters this week.
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For more coverage of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival visit:
Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
