Sundance 2025: Official Choice of All 87 Function Movies Introduced
by Alex Billington
December 11, 2024
Time for a peek at how the subsequent 12 months in cinema is shaping up. 👀 Each new 12 months brings one other Sundance Movie Competition and with lower than two months till Sundance 2025 kicks off on January twenty third, it is time to discover out what’s premiering at this prestigious fest in Utah. Sundance has revealed their 2025 choice of official characteristic movies debuting in January, that includes 87 movies taking part in throughout 11 important classes (together with their normal 4 Competitors classes), together with enjoyable documentaries, intelligent comedies, thought-provoking dramas, and extra. The 2025 pageant is happening each as an in-person pageant returning to snowy Park Metropolis, UT (earlier than they transfer elsewhere), in addition to a digital pageant with on-line premieres solely out there for the second half. Sundance continues to be one of many best indie fests on the planet, and this can be our nineteenth 12 months in a row returning to cowl it & uncover movies. “Our curation speaks to the breadth and depth of filmmaking as we speak, and the work of the artists chosen showcases the potential for storytelling to drive change.” Let’s go.
Eugene Hernandez, present director of the Sundance Movie Competition & Public Programming, states: “This 12 months’s program is able to meet our audiences, the business, and the broader tradition in a second of many world questions. The works our artists will debut at our upcoming Competition will spark dialog & invite connection. We’re excited to be sharing these moments of discovery along with our communities quickly and grateful to our artists for entrusting us with their tales.” Director of Programming Kim Yutani provides: “This 12 months’s program presents tales that confront many essential points of our time, encouraging us to look each inward and outward. As all the time, we’re excited to introduce audiences to new voices, alongside new work from some acquainted names. Audiences on the Competition can’t solely stay up for partaking with the surprising, but in addition to be entertained, challenged, and deeply moved by this 12 months’s movies.” Prepared to observe.
Flick through all of the characteristic movie choices for Sundance 2025 movies – and go to Sundance.org for extra.
U.S. Dramatic Competitors:
The U.S. Dramatic Competitors provides Festivalgoers a primary have a look at the world premieres of groundbreaking new voices in American impartial movie.
Atropia (Director & Screenwriter: Hailey Gates, Producers: Naima Abed, Emilie Georges, Lana Kim, Luca Guadagnino, Jett Steiger) — When an aspiring actress in a navy role-playing facility falls in love with a soldier solid as an rebel, their unsimulated feelings threaten to derail the efficiency. Solid: Alia Shawkat, Callum Turner, Chloë Sevigny, Tim Heidecker, Jane Levy. World Premiere. Out there on-line for Public.
Bubble & Squeak (Director & Screenwriter: Evan Twohy, Producers: Christina Oh, Steven Yeun) — Accused of smuggling cabbages right into a nation the place cabbages are banned, Declan and Delores should confront the fragility of their new marriage whereas on the run for his or her lives. Solid: Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Steven Yeun, Dave Franco, Matt Berry. World Premiere. Out there on-line for Public.
Bunnylovr (Director & Screenwriter: Katarina Zhu, Producers: Tristan Scott-Behrends, Ani Schroeter, Rhianon Jones, Roger Mancusi, Rachel Sennott) — A drifting Chinese language American cam lady struggles to navigate an more and more poisonous relationship with one among her purchasers whereas rekindling her relationship together with her dying estranged father. Solid: Katarina Zhu, Rachel Sennott, Austin Amelio, Perry Yung, Jack Kilmer.
Love, Brooklyn (Director: Rachael Abigail Holder, Screenwriter: Paul Zimmerman, Producers: André Holland, Kate Sharp, Patrick Wengler, Maurice Anderson, Liza Zusman) — Three longtime Brooklynites navigate careers, love, loss, and friendship in opposition to the quickly altering panorama of their beloved metropolis. Solid: André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Clever, Roy Wooden Jr., Cassandra Freeman, Cadence Reese.
Omaha (Director: Cole Webley, Screenwriter: Robert Machoian, Producer: Preston Lee) — After a household tragedy, siblings Ella and Charlie are unexpectedly woken up by their dad and brought on a journey throughout the nation, experiencing a world they’ve by no means seen earlier than. As their journey unfolds, Ella begins to grasp that issues won’t be what they appear. Solid: John Magaro, Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis, Talia Balsam.
Plainclothes (Director & Screenwriter: Carmen Emmi, Producers: Colby Cote, Arthur Landon, Vanessa Pantley, Eric Podwall) — A promising undercover officer assigned to lure and arrest homosexual males defies orders when he falls in love with a goal. Solid: Tom Blyth, Russell Tovey, Maria Dizzia, Christian Cooke, Gabe Fazio, Amy Forsyth.
Ricky (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Rashad Frett, Screenwriter: Lin Que Ayoung, Producers: Pierre M. Coleman, Simon TaufiQue, Sterling Brim, Josh Peters, DC Wade, Cary Fukunaga) — Newly launched after being locked up in his teenagers, 30-year-old Ricky navigates the difficult realities of life post-incarceration, and the complexity of gaining independence for the primary time as an grownup. Solid: Stephan James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Titus Welliver, Maliq Johnson, Imani Lewis, Andrene Ward-Hammond.
Sorry, Child (Director & Screenwriter: Eva Victor, Producers: Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins) — One thing dangerous occurred to Agnes. However life goes on…. for everybody round her, no less than. Solid: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, John Carroll Lynch, Louis Cancelmi, Kelly McCormack.
Sunfish (& Different Tales on Inexperienced Lake) (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Sierra Falconer, Producer: Grant Ellison) — Lives intertwine round Inexperienced Lake as a woman learns to sail, a boy fights for first chair, two sisters function a bed-and-breakfast, and a fisherman is after the catch of his life. Solid: Maren Heary, Jim Kaplan, Karsen Liotta, Dominic Bogart, Tenley Kellogg, Emily Corridor.
Twinless (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: James Sweeney, Producer: David Permut) — Two younger males meet in a twin bereavement assist group and type an unlikely bromance. Solid: Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, Lauren Graham, Aisling Franciosi, Tasha Smith, Chris Perfetti.
U.S. Documentary Competitors:
The U.S. Documentary Competitors provides Festivalgoers a primary have a look at world premieres of nonfiction movies illuminating the concepts, individuals, and occasions that form the current day.
Andre is an Fool (Director: Anthony Benna, Producers: Andre Ricciardi, Tory Tunnell, Joshua Altman, Stelio Kitrilakis, Ben Cotner) — Andre, a superb fool, is dying as a result of he did not get a colonoscopy. His sobering prognosis, full irreverence, and insatiable curiosity, ship him on an surprising journey studying the best way to die fortunately and ridiculously with out dropping his humorousness.
Life After (Director: Reid Davenport, Producer: Colleen Cassingham) — In 1983, a disabled Californian lady named Elizabeth Bouvia sought the “proper to die,” igniting a nationwide debate about autonomy, dignity, and the worth of disabled lives. After years of courtroom trials, Bouvia disappeared from public view. Disabled director Reid Davenport narrates this investigation of what occurred to Bouvia.
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (Director & Producer: Shoshannah Stern, Producers: Robyn Kopp, Justine Nagan, Bonni Cohen) — In 1987, Marlee Matlin turned the primary Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the highlight at 21 years outdated. Reflecting on her life in her main language of American Signal Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer.
The Good Neighbor (Director & Producer: Geeta Gandbhir, Producers: Nikon Kwantu, Alisa Payne, Sam Bisbee) — A seemingly minor neighborhood dispute in Florida escalates into lethal violence. Police bodycam footage and investigative interviews expose the results of Florida’s “stand your floor” legal guidelines.
Predators (Director & Producer: David Osit, Producers: Jamie Gonçalves, Kellen Quinn) — To Catch a Predator was a preferred tv present designed to seek out youngster predators and lure them to a movie set, the place they’d be interviewed and finally arrested. An exploration of the scintillating rise and staggering fall of the present and the world it helped create.
Seeds (Director & Producer: Brittany Shyne, Producer: Danielle Varga) — Exploration of Black generational farmers within the American South reveals the fragility of legacy and the importance of proudly owning land.
Selena y Los Dinos (Director: Isabel Castro, Producers: Julie Goldman, Christopher Clements, J. Daniel Torres, David Blackman, Simran Singh) — Selena Quintanilla — the “Queen of Tejano Music” — and her household band, Selena y Los Dinos, rose from acting at quinceañeras to promoting out stadium excursions. The celebration of her life and legacy is chronicled via never-before-seen footage from the household’s private archive.
Communicate. (Administrators & Producers: Jennifer Tiexiera, Man Mossman, Producer: Pamela Griner) — 5 top-ranked highschool oratory college students spend a 12 months crafting spellbinding spoken phrase performances with the dream of successful one of many world’s largest and most intense public talking competitions.
Sugar Infants (Director & Producer: Rachel Fleit, Producers: Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Mehrdod Heydari) — Autumn is an enterprising school scholarship recipient and burgeoning TikTok influencer. A part of an in depth circle of pals rising up poor in rural Louisiana, she is set to beat the struggles and boundaries defining them. Confronted with restricted minimal wage job choices, Autumn devises a web-based sugar child operation.
Third Act (Director & Producer: Tadashi Nakamura, Producer: Eurie Chung) — Generations of artists name Robert A. Nakamura “the godfather of Asian American media,” however filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura calls him Dad. Robert’s prognosis of Parkinson’s illness results in an exploration of artwork, activism, grief, and fatherhood.
World Cinema Dramatic Competitors:
These narrative movies from rising expertise around the globe provide recent views and creative kinds.
Brides / U.Okay. (Director: Nadia Fall, Screenwriter: Suhayla El-Bushra, Producers: Nicky Bentham, Marica Stocchi) — Two teenage ladies seeking freedom, friendship, and belonging run away from their troubled lives with a misguided plan of touring to Syria. Solid: Ebada Hassan, Safiyya Ingar, Yusra Warsama, Cemre Ebuzziya, Aziz Capkurt.
DJ Ahmet / North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia (Director & Screenwriter: Georgi M. Unkovski, Producers: Ivan Unkovski, Ivana Shekutkoska) — Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from a distant Yuruk village in North Macedonia, finds refuge in music whereas navigating his father’s expectations, a conservative neighborhood, and his first expertise with love — a woman already promised to another person. Solid: Arif Jakup, Agush Agushev, Dora Akan Zlatanova, Aksel Mehmet, Selpin Kerim, Atila Klince.
Luz / Hong Kong, China (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Flora Lau, Producers: Yvette Tang, Joseph Sinn Gi Chan, Stephen Lam) — Within the neon-lit streets of Chongqing, Wei desperately searches for his estranged daughter Fa, whereas Hong Kong gallerist Ren grapples together with her ailing stepmother Sabine in Paris. Their lives collide in a digital actuality world, the place a mystical deer reveals hidden truths, sparking a journey of discovery and connection. Solid: Isabelle Huppert, Sandrine Pinna, Xiao Dong Guo, Lu Huang, David Chiang, En Xi Deng.
Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) / India, U.Okay., Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, Producers: Neeraj Churi, Mohamed Khaki, Kaushik Ray, Hareesh Reddypalli, Sidharth Meer, Naren Chandavarkar) — Anand, a 30-something metropolis dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning interval for his father within the rugged countryside of western India, tenderly bonds with an area farmer struggling to remain single. Because the mourning ends, forcing his return, Anand should determine the destiny of his relationship born below duress. Solid: Bhushaan Manoj, Suraaj Suman, Jayshri Jagtap.
Sauna / Denmark (Director and Screenwriter: Mathias Broe, Screenwriter: William Lippert, Producer: Mads-August Hertz) — Johan thrives as a homosexual man in Copenhagen, having fun with infinite bars, events, and informal flings. Every thing adjustments when he meets William, a transgender man, and falls right into a deep love that defies societal norms round gender, id, and relationships. Solid: Magnus Juhl Andersen, Nina Rask, Dilan Amin, Klaus Tange.
Sukkwan Island / France (Director & Screenwriter: Vladimir de Fontenay, Producers: Carole Scotta, Eliott Khayat, Caroline Benjo) — On the distant Sukkwan Island, 13-year-old Roy agrees to spend a formative 12 months of journey along with his father deep within the Norwegian fjords. What begins as an opportunity to reconnect descends right into a check of survival as they face the cruel realities of their atmosphere and confront their unresolved turmoil. Solid: Swann Arlaud, Woody Norman, Alma Pöysti, Ruaridh Mollica, Tuppence Middleton.
The Issues You Kill / Turkey, France, Poland, Canada (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Alireza Khatami, Producers: Elisa Sepulveda Ruddoff, Cyriac Auriol, Mariusz Włodarski, Michael Solomon) — Haunted by the suspicious loss of life of his ailing mom, a college professor coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance. Solid: Ekin Koç, Erkan Kolçak Köstendil, Hazar Ergüçlü, Ercan Kesal.
Two Ladies / Canada (Director: Chloé Robichaud, Screenwriter and Producer: Catherine Léger Producer: Martin Paul-Hus) — Violette is having a troublesome maternity go away. Florence is coping with melancholy. Regardless of their careers and households, they really feel like failures. Florence’s first infidelity is a revelation. When having enjoyable is way down the listing of priorities, sleeping with a supply man could possibly be revolutionary. Solid: Karine Gonthier-Hyndman, Laurence Leboeuf, Félix Moati, Mani Soleymanlou, Sophie Nelisse, Juliette Gariépy.
The Virgin of Quarry Lake / Argentina, Spain, Mexico (Director: Laura Casabé, Screenwriter: Benjamin Naishtat, Producers: Tomas Eloy Muñoz, Valeria Bistagnino, Alejandro Israel, David Matamoros, Angeles Hernandez, Diego Martinez Ulanosky) — In 2001, three youngsters from the outskirts of Buenos Aires all fall in love with Diego. Natalia has all the time had probably the most chemistry with him, however when it appears inevitable that their friendship will flip into one thing extra, the older and extra skilled Silvia seems and shortly captures Diego’s consideration. Solid: Dolores Oliverio, Luisa Merelas, Fernanda Echevarría, Dady Brieva, Agustín Sosa.
The place the Wind Comes From / Tunisia, France, Qatar (Director and Screenwriter: Amel Guellaty, Producers: Asma Chihoub, Karim Aitouna) — Alyssa, a rebellious 19-year-old lady, and her pal Mehdi, an introverted 23-year-old man, use their creativeness to flee their unpromising actuality. After they uncover a contest within the south of Tunisia which will permit them to flee, they undertake a highway journey whatever the obstacles of their method. Solid: Eya Bellagha, Slim Baccar.
World Cinema Documentary Competitors:
These nonfiction characteristic movies created by rising expertise around the globe showcase among the most brave and extraordinary filmmaking as we speak.
2000 Meters to Andriivka / Ukraine (Director & Producer: Mstyslav Chernov, Producers: Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson-Rath) — Amid the failing counteroffensive, a journalist follows a Ukrainian platoon on their mission to traverse one mile of closely fortified forest and liberate a strategic village from Russian occupation. However the farther they advance via their destroyed homeland, the extra they notice that this battle might by no means finish.
Coexistence, My Ass! / U.S.A., France (Director & Producer: Amber Fares, Screenwriters: Rachel Leah Jones, Rabab Haj Yahya, Producer: Rachel Leah Jones, Valérie Montmartin) — Comic Noam Shuster Eliassi creates a private and political one-woman present in regards to the wrestle for equality in Israel/Palestine. When the elusive coexistence she’s spent her life working towards begins sounding like a foul joke, she challenges her audiences with laborious truths which might be no laughing matter.
Reducing By Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) / Iran, Germany, U.S.A., Netherlands, Qatar, Chile, Canada (Administrators & Producers: Sara Khaki, Mohammadreza Eyni) — As the primary elected councilwoman of her Iranian village, Sara Shahverdi goals to interrupt long-held patriarchal traditions by coaching teenage ladies to experience bikes and stopping youngster marriages. When accusations come up questioning Sara’s intentions to empower the women, her id is put in turmoil.
The Courting Recreation / U.S.A., U.Okay., Norway (Director & Producer: Violet Du Feng, Producers: Joanna Natasegara, James Costa, Mette Cheng Munthe-Kaas) — In a rustic the place eligible males tremendously outnumber ladies, three perpetual bachelors be part of an intensive seven-day relationship camp led by one among China’s most sought-after relationship coaches in what could also be their last-ditch effort to search out love.
Infinite Cookie / Canada (Administrators & Screenwriters: Seth Scriver, Peter Scriver, Producers: Daniel Bekerman, Chris Yurkovich, Alex Ordanis, Jason Ryle, Seth Scriver) — Exploring the advanced bond between two half brothers — one Indigenous, one white — touring from the current in remoted Shamattawa to bustling Nineteen Eighties Toronto.
GEN_ / France, Italy, Switzerland (Director & Screenwriter: Gianluca Matarrese, Screenwriter: Donatella Della Ratta, Producers: Dominique Barneaud, Donatella Palermo, Alexandre Iordachescu) — At Milan’s Niguarda public hospital, the unconventional Dr. Bini leads a daring mission overseeing aspiring dad and mom present process in vitro fertilization and the journeys of people reconciling their our bodies with their gender identities. He navigates the constraints set by a conservative authorities and an aggressive market desperate to commodify our bodies.
Methods to Construct a Library / Kenya (Administrators, Screenwriters, & Producers: Maia Lekow, Christopher King, Screenwriter: Ricardo Acosta) — Two intrepid Nairobi ladies determine to rework what was once a whites-only library till 1958 right into a vibrant cultural hub. Alongside the best way, they have to navigate native politics, elevate thousands and thousands for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya’s colonial previous.
Khartoum / Sudan, U.Okay., Germany, Qatar (Administrators: Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, Phil Cox, Screenwriter: Phil Cox, Producers: Giovanna Stopponi, Talal Afifi) — Pressured to depart Sudan for East Africa following the outbreak of battle, 5 residents of Khartoum — a civil servant, a tea girl, a resistance committee volunteer, and two younger bottle collectors — reenact their tales of survival and freedom via desires, revolution, and civil battle.
Mr. No person In opposition to Putin / Denmark, Czech Republic (Director & Screenwriter: David Borenstein, Producer: Helle Faber) — As Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, main colleges throughout Russia’s hinterlands are reworked into recruitment levels for the battle. Dealing with the moral dilemma of working in a system outlined by propaganda and violence, a courageous instructor goes undercover to movie what’s actually occurring in his personal faculty.
Prime Minister (Administrators: Michelle Walshe, Lindsay Utz, Producers: Cass Avery, Leon Kirkbeck, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, Katie Peck) — A view contained in the lifetime of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, capturing her via 5 tumultuous years in energy and past as she redefined management on the world stage.
NEXT:
Pure, daring works distinguished by an revolutionary, forward-thinking method to storytelling populate this program. Unfettered creativity guarantees that the movies on this part will form the larger subsequent wave in American cinema.
BLKNWS: Phrases & Situations / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, Producer: Kahlil Joseph, Screenwriters: Saidiya Hartman, Irvin Hunt, Producers: Onye Anyanwu, Amy Greenleaf, Nic Gonda) — Preeminent West African curator and scholar Funmilayo Akechukwu’s magnum opus, The Resonance Subject, leads her to the center of the Atlantic Ocean, drawing a journalist right into a journey that shatters her understanding of consciousness and time. Solid: Shaunette Renée Wilson, Kaneza Schaal, Hope Giselle, Peter Hernandez, Penny Johnson Jerald, Zora Casebere.
By Design / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Amanda Kramer, Producers: Miranda Bailey, Jacob Agger, Sarah Winshall, Natalie Whalen) — A lady swaps our bodies with a chair, and everybody likes her higher as a chair. Solid: Juliette Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Melanie Griffith, Samantha Mathis, Robin Tunney, Udo Kier.
East of Wall / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Kate Beecroft, Producers: Lila Yacoub, Melanie Ramsayer, Shannon Moss) — After the loss of life of her husband, Tabatha — a younger, tattooed, rebellious horse coach — wrestles with monetary insecurity and unresolved grief whereas offering refuge for a gaggle of wayward youngsters on her broken-down ranch within the Badlands. Solid: Tabatha Zimiga, Porshia Zimiga, Scoot McNairy, Jennifer Ehle.
Mad Payments to Pay (or Future, dile que no soy malo) / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Joel Alfonso Vargas, Producer: Paolo Maria Pedullà) — Rico’s summer season is a mixture of chasing ladies and hustling selfmade cocktails out of a cooler on Orchard Seaside, the Bronx. However when Future, his teenage girlfriend, crashes at his place along with his household, it is solely a matter of time earlier than his carefree days come spiraling down. Solid: Juan Collado, Future Checo, Yohanna Florentino, Nathaly Navarro.
OBEX / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Albert Birney, Screenwriter & Producer: Pete Ohs, Producers: Emma Hannaway, James Belfer) — Conor Marsh lives a secluded life along with his canine, Sandy, till sooner or later he begins taking part in OBEX, a brand new, state-of-the-art pc sport. When Sandy goes lacking, the road between actuality and sport blurs and Conor should enterprise into the unusual world of OBEX to deliver her dwelling. Solid: Albert Birney, Callie Hernandez, Frank Mosley.
Rains Over Babel / Colombia, U.S.A., Spain (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Gala del Sol, Producers: H.A Hermida, Ana Cristina Gutiérrez, Andrés Hermida, Natalia Rendón Rodríguez) — A gaggle of misfits converges at Babel, a legendary dive bar that doubles as purgatory, the place La Flaca — the town’s Grim Reaper — presides. Right here, souls gamble years of their lives together with her, daring to outwit Dying herself. Solid: Saray Rebolledo, Felipe Aguilar Rodríguez, John Alex Castillo, William Hurtado, Santiago Pineda, Celina Biurrun.
Severe Individuals / U.S.A. (Administrators & Screenwriters: Pasqual Gutierrez, Ben Mullinkosson, Producers: Ryan Hahn, Teddy Lee, Laurel Thomson) — A profitable music video director and expectant father pushes his work-life stability to the intense as he hires a doppelgänger to work in his stead. Solid: Pasqual Gutierrez, Christine Yuan, Miguel Huerta, Raul Sanchez.
Zodiac Killer Mission / U.S.A., U.Okay. (Director & Producer: Charlie Shackleton, Producers: Anthony Ing, Catherine Bray) — In opposition to the backdrop of sunbaked parking tons, abandoned courthouses, empty suburban properties — the acquainted areas of true crime, stripped of all motion and spectacle — a filmmaker describes his deserted Zodiac Killer documentary and probes the internal workings of a style at saturation level.
Premieres:
This showcase of world premieres presents extremely anticipated movies on quite a lot of topics, in each fiction & nonfiction.
All That is Left of You (اللي باقي منك) / Germany, Cyprus (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Cherien Dabis, Producers: Thanassis Karathanos, Martin Hampel, Karim Amer) — After a Palestinian teen confronts Israeli troopers at a West Financial institution protest, his mom recounts the collection of occasions that led him to that fateful second, beginning along with his grandfather’s pressured displacement. Solid: Cherien Dabis, Saleh Bakri, Adam Bakri, Mohammad Bakri, Maria Zreik, Muhammad Abed Elrahman.
April & Amanda / U.S.A. (Director: Zackary Drucker, Producers: Madison Passarelli, Douglas Banker, Alex Garinger, Noah Levy, Donovan Lovell, Stephen B. Strout) — Two legends contested their identities as ladies within the court docket of public opinion: April Ashley, who was immortalized as a trailblazer by embracing her transgender historical past; and Amanda Lear, who has consciously denied and obfuscated her historical past for many years. Their divergent paths reveal disparate however intertwined legacies.
The Ballad of Wallis Island / U.Okay. (Director: James Griffiths, Screenwriters: Tom Basden, Tim Key, Producer: Rupert Majendie) — Eccentric lottery winner, Charles, desires of getting his favourite musicians, Mortimer-McGwyer, again collectively. His fantasy turns into actuality when the bandmates and former lovers settle for his invitation to play a personal present at his dwelling on Wallis Island. Outdated tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig. Solid: Tom Basden, Tim Key, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Carey Mulligan.
Come See Me within the Good Gentle / U.S.A. (Director & Producer: Ryan White, Producers: Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, Stef Willen) — Two poets, one incurable most cancers prognosis. Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley go on an unexpectedly humorous and poignant journey via love, life, and mortality. Documentary.
Deaf President Now! / U.S.A. (Administrators and Producers: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, Producers: Jonathan King, Amanda Rohlke, Michael Harte) — Throughout eight tumultuous days in 1988 on the world’s solely Deaf college, 4 college students should discover a strategy to lead an indignant mob — and alter the course of historical past. Documentary.
Folktales / U.S.A., Norway (Administrators & Producers: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady) — On the precipice of maturity, youngsters converge at a standard folks highschool in Arctic Norway. Dropped on the fringe of the world, they have to depend on solely themselves, each other, and a loyal pack of sled canine as all of them develop in surprising instructions. Documentary.
Free Leonard Peltier / U.S.A. (Director: Jesse Quick Bull, Director and Producer: David France, Producers: Jhane Myers, Paul McGuire) — Leonard Peltier, one of many surviving leaders of the American Indian Motion, has been in jail for 50 years following a contentious conviction. A brand new era of Native activists is dedicated to successful his freedom earlier than he dies. Documentary.
Heightened Scrutiny / U.S.A. (Director & Producer: Sam Feder, Producers: Amy Scholder, Paola Mendoza) — Amid the surge in anti-trans laws that Chase Strangio battles within the courtroom, he should additionally struggle in opposition to media bias, exposing how the narratives within the press affect public notion and the struggle for transgender rights. Documentary.
If I Had Legs I would Kick You / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Mary Bronstein, Producers: Sara Murphy, Ryan Zacarias, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Eli Bush, Richie Doyle) — Together with her life crashing down round her, Linda makes an attempt to navigate her kid’s mysterious sickness, her absent husband, a lacking individual, and an more and more hostile relationship together with her therapist. Solid: Rose Byrne, A$AP Rocky, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Ivy Wolk, Daniel Zolghadri.
It is By no means Over, Jeff Buckley / U.S.A. (Director & Producer: Amy Berg, Producers: Ryan Heller, Christine Connor, Mandy Chang, Jennie Bedusa, Matthew Roozen) — Rising musician Jeff Buckley had solely launched one album when he died all of a sudden in 1997. Now, never-before-seen footage, unique voice messages, and accounts from these closest to him provide a portrait of the fascinating singer. Documentary.
Jimpa / Australia, Netherlands, Finland (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Sophie Hyde, Screenwriter: Matthew Cormack, Producers: Liam Heyen, Bryan Mason, Marleen Slot) — Hannah takes her nonbinary teenager, Frances, to Amsterdam to go to their homosexual grandfather, Jim — lovingly generally known as Jimpa. However Frances’ need to remain overseas with Jimpa for a 12 months means Hannah is pressured to rethink her beliefs about parenting and eventually confront outdated tales in regards to the previous. Solid: Olivia Colman, John Lithgow, Aud Mason-Hyde.
Kiss of the Spider Girl / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Invoice Condon, Producers: Tom Kirdahy, Barry Josephson, Greg Yolen) — Valentín, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The 2 type an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favourite silver display screen diva, Ingrid Luna. Solid: Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Jennifer Lopez, Bruno Bichir, Josefina Scaglione, Aline Mayagoitia.
Final Days / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Justin Lin, Screenwriter: Ben Ripley, Producers: Clayton Townsend, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson, Salvador Gatdula, Andrew Schneider) — Decided to meet his life’s mission, 26-year-old John Allen Chau embarks on a harmful journey throughout the globe to transform the uncontacted tribe of North Sentinel Island to Christianity, whereas a detective from the Andaman Islands races to cease him earlier than he does hurt to himself or the tribe. Solid: Sky Yang, Radhika Apte, Naveen Andrews, Ken Leung, Toby Wallace, Ciara Bravo.
The Librarians / U.S.A. (Director & Producer: Kim A. Snyder, Producers: Janique L. Robillard, Maria Cuomo Cole, Jana Edelbaum) — As an unprecedented wave of e book banning is sparked in Texas, Florida, and past, librarians below siege be part of forces as unlikely defenders combating for mental freedom on the entrance strains of democracy. Documentary.
Lurker / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Alex Russell, Producers: Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Galen Core, Charlie McDowell, Archie Madekwe) — A retail worker infiltrates the internal circle of an artist on the verge of stardom. As he will get nearer to the budding music star, entry and proximity develop into a matter of life and loss of life. Solid: Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Havana Rose Liu, Sunny Suljic, Zack Fox, Daniel Zolghadri.
Magic Farm / Argentina, U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Amalia Ulman, Producers: Alex Hughes, Eugene Kotlyarenko, Riccardo Maddalosso) — A movie crew working for an edgy media firm travels to Argentina to profile an area musician, however their ineptitude leads them into the incorrect nation. Because the crew collaborates with locals to manufacture a pattern, surprising connections blossom whereas a pervasive well being disaster looms unacknowledged within the background. Solid: Chloë Sevigny, Alex Wolff, Joe Apollonio, Camila del Campo, Simon Rex.
Middletown / U.S.A. (Administrators, Screenwriters, & Producers: Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine, Producers: Teddy Leifer, Florrie Priest, Danny Breen) — Impressed by an unconventional instructor, a gaggle of youngsters in upstate New York within the early Nineties made a pupil movie that uncovered an enormous conspiracy involving poisonous waste that was poisoning their neighborhood. Thirty years later, they revisit their movie and confront the legacy of this transformative expertise. Documentary.
Transfer Ya Physique: The Beginning of Home / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Class Bratton, Producer: Chester Algernal Gordon) — Out of the underground dance golf equipment on the South Facet of Chicago, a gaggle of pals flip a brand new sound into a world motion. Documentary.
Oh, Hello! / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Sophie Brooks, Producers: David Brooks, Dan Clifton, Julie Waters, Molly Gordon) — Iris and Isaac’s first romantic weekend getaway goes awry. Solid: Molly Gordon, Logan Lerman, Geraldine Viswanathan, John Reynolds.
Peter Hujar’s Day / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Ira Sachs, Producers: Jordan Drake, Jonah Disend) —A lately found dialog between photographer Peter Hujar and his pal Linda Rosenkrantz in 1974 reveals a glimpse into New York Metropolis’s downtown artwork scene and the non-public struggles and epiphanies that outline an artist’s life. Solid: Ben Whishaw, Rebecca Corridor.
Rebuilding / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Max Walker-Silverman, Producers: Paul Mezey, Jesse Hope, Dan Janvey) — After a wildfire takes the household farm, a rancher seeks a method ahead. Solid: Josh O’Connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, Amy Madigan.
Sally / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, Producer: Cristina Costantini, Screenwriter: Tom Maroney, Producers: Lauren Cioffi, Dan Cogan, Jon Bardin) — Sally Journey turned the primary American lady to blast off into house, however beneath her unflappable composure was a secret. Sally’s life associate, Tam O’Shaughnessy, reveals their hidden romance and the sacrifices that accompanied their 27 years collectively. World Premiere. Documentary.
Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) / U.S.A. (Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Producers: Joseph Patel, Derik Murray) — An examination of the life and legacy of Sly & The Household Stone — the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone — captures the band’s rise, reign, and subsequent fadeout whereas shedding gentle on the unseen burden that comes with success for Black artists in America. Documentary.
The Factor with Feathers / U.Okay. (Director & Screenwriter: Dylan Southern, Producers: Andrea Cornwell, Leah Clarke, Adam Ackland) — Struggling to course of the sudden and surprising loss of life of his spouse, a younger father loses his maintain on actuality as a seemingly malign presence begins to stalk him from the shadowy recesses of the house he shares along with his two younger sons. Solid: Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Boxall, Henry Boxall, Eric Lampaert, Vinette Robinson, Sam Spruell.
Prepare Goals / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Clint Bentley, Screenwriter: Greg Kwedar, Producers: Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer, Michael Heimler) — Robert Grainier is a day laborer constructing America’s railroads initially of the twentieth century as he experiences profound love, stunning defeat, and a world irrevocably remodeling earlier than his very eyes. Solid: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy.
The Marriage ceremony Banquet / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Andrew Ahn, Screenwriter and Producer: James Schamus, Producers: Anita Gou, Joe Pirro, Caroline Clark) — Annoyed along with his commitment-phobic boyfriend, Chris, and out of time, Min makes a proposal: a inexperienced card marriage along with his pal Angela in change for costly in vitro fertilization remedies for her associate, Lee. Plans change when Min’s grandmother surprises them with an elaborate Korean marriage ceremony banquet. Solid: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen, Youn Yuh-jung.
Midnight:
From horror flicks and wild comedies to chilling thrillers and works that defy any style, these movies will maintain you awake and on the sting of your seat.
Lifeless Lover / Canada (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Grace Glowicki, Screenwriter and Producer: Ben Petrie, Producer: Yona Strauss) — A lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses lastly meets her dream man, however their whirlwind affair is minimize quick when he tragically drowns at sea. Grief-stricken, she goes to morbid lengths to resurrect him via madcap scientific experiments, leading to grave penalties and unlikely love. Solid: Grace Glowicki, Ben Petrie, Leah Doz, Lowen Morrow.
Did not Die / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Meera Menon, Screenwriter and Producer: Paul Gleason, Producers: Erica Fishman, Joe Camerota, Luke Patton) — A podcast host desperately clings to an ever-shrinking viewers within the zombie apocalypse. Solid: Kiran Deol, George Basil, Samrat Chakrabarti, Katie McCuen, Vishal Vijayakumar.
Opus / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Mark Anthony Inexperienced, Producers: Collin Creighton, Brad Weston, Poppy Hanks, Jelani Johnson, Josh Bachove) — A younger author is invited to the distant compound of a legendary pop star who mysteriously disappeared 30 years in the past. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants and intoxicated journalists, she finds herself in the midst of his twisted plan. Solid: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder.
Rabbit Lure / U.Okay. (Director & Screenwriter: Bryn Chainey, Producers: Daniel Noah, Lawrence Inglee, Elijah Wooden, Elisa Lleras, Adrian Politowski, Martin Metz) — When a musician and her husband transfer to a distant home in Wales, the music they make disturbs native historical folks magic, bringing a anonymous youngster to their door who’s intent on infiltrating their lives. Solid: Dev Patel, Rosy McEwen, Jade Croot.
Collectively / Australia, U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Michael Shanks, Producers: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Mike Cowap, Andrew Mittman, Erik Feig, Max Silva) — With a transfer to the countryside already testing the bounds of a pair’s relationship, a supernatural encounter begins an excessive transformation of their love, their lives, and their flesh. Solid: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Damon Herriman.
Contact Me / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Addison Heimann, Producers: John Humber, David Lawson Jr.) — Two codependent greatest pals develop into hooked on the heroin-like contact of an alien narcissist who might or will not be attempting to take over the world. Solid: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte, Paget Brewster.
The Ugly Stepsister / Norway (Director & Screenwriter: Emilie Blichfeldt, Producer: Maria Ekerhovd) — In a fairy-tale kingdom the place magnificence is a brutal enterprise, Elvira battles to compete together with her extremely stunning stepsister, and she’s going to go to any size to catch the prince’s eye. Solid: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, Malte Gårdinger.
Highlight:
The Highlight program is a tribute to the cinema we love, presenting movies which have performed all through the world.
April / Georgia (Director & Screenwriter: Dea Kulumbegashvili, Producers: Luca Guadagnino, David Zerat, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Archil Gelovani, Gabriele Moratti, Alexandra Rossi) — Nina is an obstetrician at a maternity hospital in Jap Georgia. After a troublesome supply, an toddler dies and the daddy calls for an inquiry into her strategies. The scrutiny threatens to show Nina’s secret facet job — visiting village properties of pregnant women and girls to supply unsanctioned abortions. Solid: Ia Sukhitashvili, Kakha Kintsurashvili.
One to One: John & Yoko / U.Okay. (Director & Producer: Kevin Macdonald, Producers: Peter Worsley, Alice Webb) — An exploration of the seminal and transformative 18 months that one among music’s most well-known {couples} — John Lennon & Yoko Ono — spent residing in Greenwich Village, New York Metropolis, within the early Nineteen Seventies.
Household Matinee:
Geared in the direction of our youngest independent-film followers, this part of the Competition is programmed for youngsters & adolescents.
The Legend of Ochi / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, & Producer: Isaiah Saxon, Producers: Richard Peete, Traci Carlson, Jonathan Wang) — In a distant village on the island of Carpathia, a farm lady named Yuri is raised to concern an animal species generally known as Ochi. However when Yuri discovers a wounded child Ochi has been left behind, she escapes on an journey to deliver him dwelling. Solid: Helena Zengel, Finn Wolfhard, Emily Watson, Willem Dafoe.
From the Assortment:
From the Assortment screenings give audiences the chance to find and rediscover the movies which have formed the heritage of each Sundance Institute and impartial storytelling.
El Norte / U.S.A. (Director & Screenwriter: Gregory Nava, Screenwriter and Producer: Anna Thomas) — After their household is murdered by the federal government in a bloodbath throughout the Guatemalan Civil Battle, Indigenous siblings Rosa and Enrique flee up “Norte” to the USA for an opportunity at survival. After they arrive, they discover life within the U.S. shouldn’t be what that they had hoped for. Solid: Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez, David Villalpando, Ernesto Gómez Cruz, Lupe Ontiveros, Trinidad Silva, Alicia del Lago.
Unzipped / U.S.A. (Director: Douglas Keeve, Producer: Michael Alden) — Director Douglas Keeve goes behind the scenes of designer Isaac Mizrahi’s relentless drive and daring imaginative and prescient to deliver his 1994 assortment to life. From sketches to runway, this insider’s journey is full of backstage drama, artistic triumphs, and iconic supermodels, together with Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista.
Particular Screenings:
The Six Billion Greenback Man / U.S.A. (Director: Eugene Jarecki, Producer: Kathleen Fournier) — Julian Assange confronted a doable 175 years in jail for exposing U.S. battle crimes till occasions took a flip on this landmark case. Documentary.
Robert Redford, President and Founding father of Sundance Institute, feedback on this 12 months of Sundance movies and their enduring success: “The Sundance Movie Competition stays steadfast in its dedication to elevating distinctive and pressing voices in impartial storytelling. Audiences can count on a 2025 program that showcases different and vibrant filmmaking globally.” The official 2025 lineup introduced initially contains 87 feature-length movies representing 33 nations and territories. The 2025 program consists of 36 of 87 (41%) characteristic movie administrators who’re first-time characteristic filmmakers. Ten of the characteristic movies and initiatives chosen have been supported by Sundance Institute in improvement via direct granting or residency labs. This 12 months the movie and episodic slate contains 89 (or 96%) world premieres. We’ll be following intently, watching the thrill, searching for probably the most thrilling information, and reporting again on every part good (and dangerous) from the fest.
Sundance is one among my high festivals, and I am excited to get a glimpse in any respect the movies taking part in. This 12 months appears to be like as fascinating as all the time, with loads of new discoveries & a lot of shock premieres. Deliver on one other 12 months of Sundance. Sundance 2025 runs from January twenty third to February 2nd, 2025. Go to Sundance.org for information.
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