The 41st Sundance Film Festival opens its doors this Thursday January 23, 2025, welcoming film enthusiasts to Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, for an electrifying celebration of independent and documentary filmmaking.
This year, the Sundance Film Festival offers an impressive roster of 88 feature films and seven episodic titles, nearly all making their international debuts. Additionally, Sundance’s digital platform will stream select films and events nationwide starting January 30.
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Running through February 2, the festival’s offerings span narratives, documentaries, and short films, with nearly half helmed by first-time filmmakers. Notable attendees include Jennifer Lopez, John Malkovich, and Lily Gladstone, adding a star-studded shine to the event.
Instead of a traditional gala opening, the festival will kick off with 15 premieres and a short film program across four venues. Highlights include documentaries on Marlee Matlin, Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive against Russia, and the creative partnership of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Other opening-day features span the globe, with dramas hailing from Norway, Hong Kong, and North Macedonia.
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Some of this year’s standout narrative titles include:
Kiss of the Spider Woman: Bill Condon’s adaptation of the Tony-winning musical stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh.
The Things With Feathers: Benedict Cumberbatch stars as a widowed father in this adaptation of Max Porter’s novella.
The Wedding Banquet: Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang headline this remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic.
Omaha: John Magaro leads a heartfelt cross-country story about family and loss.
Jimpa: Olivia Colman and John Lithgow star in a moving tale of family and identity.
Other notable entries include Juliette Lewis in the absurdist comedy By Design, Willem Dafoe in the magical family film The Legend of Ochi, and Isabelle Huppert in the dual-narrative drama LUZ.
This year’s documentary lineup is equally captivating, with powerful explorations of cultural and historical moments:
2000 Meters to Andriivka: A gripping account of Ukraine’s counteroffensive during the Russian invasion, featuring on-the-ground bodycam footage.
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore: A poignant portrait of the Oscar-winning actress and her groundbreaking career.
Sly Lives!: Questlove’s examination of the legacy and struggles of funk icon Sly Stone.
Move Ya Body: The Birth of House: A celebration of Chicago’s Trax Records and the genesis of house music.
Selena y Los Dinos: A touching look at the iconic Tejano star Selena through never-before-seen footage.
Other titles tackle topics like Sally Ride’s private life in Sally, book bans in America in The Librarians, and the resilience of Black farmers in the South in Seeds.
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Sundance’s Midnight sidebar offers genre delights like the dark comedy Opus starring John Malkovich and Ayo Edebiri, the Norwegian horror The Ugly Stepsister, and the folk thriller Rabbit Trap with Dev Patel. Episodic premieres include the five-part docuseries Bucks County, USA, directed by Barry Levinson, and Cooper Raiff’s sibling drama Hal & Harper, co-starring Lili Reinhart and Mark Ruffalo.
As Sundance continues to spotlight emerging talent, this year’s festival promises a diverse range of stories that challenge, inspire, and entertain. With its blend of A-list stars, bold narratives, and thought-provoking documentaries, Sundance 2025 is set to be an unforgettable cinematic journey.
For the complete lineup and ticket information, visit the Sundance Film Festival website.
