Sundance Film Festival 2025 Preview

As the 2024 year in film turns over, the cinematic world turns its attention to the best January tradition: the Sundance Film Festival!

Like years past, this year's iteration of the Sundance Film Festival features a variety of diverse programming options for films available both on the ground in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as online for the hybrid version of the festival.

These are some of the titles we are most excited about checking out, both at the festival in-person (January 23rd - February 2nd) and to stream virtually (January 30th - February 2nd). The full schedule and ticketing can be found at festival.sundance.org. All images and synopses are courtesy of the Sundance Institute.

Opus

In the Midnight section of the program, the film “Opus” is about a writer (Ayo Edebiri) who arrives at the mysterious compound of a legendary pop star that disappeared 30 years ago. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants, she finds herself in the middle of a twisted plan. Edebiri is one of the most exciting actors working today, and the cult of celebrity seems like a subject ripe for an incisive take, especially in the thriller/horror genre. Add in the films already secured distribution through the always reliable A24, and it's a recipe for the most exciting film of the Midnight line up.

Opus is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd.

Selena Y Los Dinos

2025 marks 30 years since the death of Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla and her impact is still as strong as ever around the world, but especially here in Texas. The documentary film's title takes the name from Selena’s family band, which featured her brother and sister who are both producers on the film. The film’s description promises never-before-seen home videos from the Quintinilla family personal archive, as well as intimate interviews with those surviving family members, in what is sure to be a loving and touching tribute to a cultural icon.

Selena Y Los Dios is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd and online from January 30th - February 2nd.

If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You

One of the best combinations of things to look for in a Sundance (or any film festival) schedule is the intersection of intriguing synopsis and inspired casting. In “If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You” (which is also an intriguing title), Linda’s (Rose Byrne) world is crashing down around her, as she attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, and a hostile relationship with her therapist. It’s unclear which of those spots he fills, but one of the listed cast members is none other than iconic late night TV host turned podcaster Conan O’Brien. Count us in.

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd

2000 Meters to Andriivka

Last year’s Sundance Film Festival featured the premiere of the stirring and incredible “20 Days in Mariupol,” a documentary on the invasion of Ukraine that ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary film. Director Mstylav Chernov returns to Sundance with his follow up film "2000 Meters to Andriivka," which follows the Ukrainian platoon as they traverse one mile of dangerous forest in an effort to liberate a strategic village from a Russian occupation. If this is anything like his first film, "2000 Meters to Andriivka" has the potential to add another important piece to Chernov's essential journalistic storytelling.

2000 Meters to Andriikva is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd and online from January 30th - February 2nd.

It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley

Music documentaries are important to the fabric of the Sundance Film Festival, and this year a spotlight is deservedly put on 90's musician Jeff Buckley. Buckley has long served as an enigmatic figure, tragically passing away after making just one album. His soulful cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has stood the test of time and his only album "Grace" is considered by many publications as one of the best albums of all time. The recent documentary on the aforementioned Cohen song had a lovely section devoted to Buckley, so it’s great to have a full, high-profile film exploring his life deeper. Touting never before heard and seen footage, one hopes this is the definitive record on a life and talent that was cut far too short.

It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd.

Omaha

One thing that Sundance always does incredibly well is programming fantastic intimate family dramas. This year's narrative competition features “Omaha,” from debut feature filmmaker Cole Webley. The synopsis describes a film about a father (played by John Magaro) who wakes his two children up in the middle of the night and puts them in a car for a cross-country trip. As the trip progresses, his daughter starts to intuit that things may not be exactly what they seem. Magaro has become one of the most consistent performers in cinema, with great turns in “Past Lives” and “September 5” over the last couple of years. Coupled with a dramatic set up and a possible exploration of the intuitiveness of children, “Omaha” looks like a can’t miss competition film.

Omaha is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd and online from January 30th - February 2nd.

Lurker

Another great quality of Sundance is the role the festival plays as a springboard for up and coming filmmakers to burst onto the scene with debut films. As a writer, Alex Russell has already made a splash writing for critically acclaimed shows “Beef” and “The Bear.” In the case of “The Bear,” Russell wrote the episode “Forks,” which fans and critics alike may recognize as one of the best episodes of the entire series and perhaps one of the best episodes of television of the last few years. With that kind of pedigree already established, Russell makes his feature directorial debut with a film about a retail employee infiltrating the inner circle of a musician on the verge of superstardom. Based on his track record so far, “Lurker” is one of the most exciting debut films of this year's festival.

Lurker is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd.

Hal and Harper

In addition to feature and short films, the Sundance Film Festival also includes episodic TV programming! Featured this year is the new show “Hal & Harper” from Sundance alum Cooper Raiff. Texas native Raiff, only 27 years of age, has received awards at both SXSW and Sundance and continues to be an intriguing young voice in independent film. Also starring as one half of a sibling duo with Lili Reinhart, the show promises an exploration of these codependent siblings and their family evolution with the help of their father, played by Mark Ruffalo. As a real treat for completists, the full 8 episode season can be watched at the online version of the festival.

Hal & Harper is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd and online from January 30th - February 2nd.

Middletown

In the Premieres section, filmmaking duo and Sundance alums Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (“Boys State,” “Girls State”) return to the festival with another documentary about ambitious young people in “Middletown.” The film highlights the story of a video journalism class in an upstate New York high school in the 90’s, and features interviews with students who uncovered a complex criminal web of illegal toxic waste dumping in their small town, and the teacher that inspired and led them along the way. As a tribute to the power of investigative journalism, strong education and youth influence, “Middletown” is sure to be an inspirational tale of the importance of the truth, no matter the source.

Middletown is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd.

Sukkwan Island

In addition to Sundance’s programming featuring up and coming talent from American filmmakers, the festival also showcases some of the best independent films from around the World. The French film “Sukkwan Island” tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who spends a year with his father deep in the Norwegian fjords. The synopsis promises a blend of psychological thriller, survival films, and family drama as the duos must face the dangers of their harsh environment. Making the film all the more intriguing is a lead performance from French actor Swann Arlaud, who was fantastic in 2023’s “Anatomy of a Fall.”

Sukkwan Island is screening in person at the Sundance Film Festival from January 23rd - February 2nd and online from January 30th - February 2nd.