(photo by Chloe Collyer)
And just like that, the 11 days of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival — on the mountain, in Salt Lake City, and in living rooms across the country — are over!
We watched feature films across 12 categories, short films across seven programs, and 8 Episodic projects. Our 40th Edition Celebration rang throughout the windy streets of Park City with special events and screenings across the Festival, and we shed our warm layers as we packed into Cinema Café for some of the most inspiring conversations we’ve ever heard. Even before we kicked off the Fest we got crash courses from our director interviews and watchlists.
Below you’ll find our complete coverage of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Read about premieres that electrified us, events that engaged us, and the stories that are going to keep us going all year long.
Day 1
Kicking things off on a jam-packed Thursday, we knew this was going to be a Festival not to miss. Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years Presented by Chase Sapphire brought together influential alumni and friends to celebrate our special award winners including Christopher Nolan, Kristen Stewart, Celine Song, Maite Alberdi, and Pat Mitchell.
“How to Have Sex” Pushes Forward the Conversation on Consent
In Brilliant Color, “FRIDA” Breathes New Life, Love, and Expression Into Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo
“Never Look Away” Delivers Us to War’s Front Lines With Fearless Photojournalist Margaret Moth
“Thelma” Introduces a Refreshing New (93-Year-Old) Action Hero
2024 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Program 1: Liars, Digital Cats, Crab People, and More
Benjamin Ree’s “Ibelin” Takes Viewers to a Different World and Moves Them to Tears
“Freaky Tales” Is a Genre-Bending Love Letter to 1980s Oakland
Day 2
With another full day of film premieres staring us down, we couldn’t get a better pep talk from Sue Bird and Jay Ellis at the first 2024 Cinema Café.
Identity, Influencer Culture, and Self Worth Intersect at the End of the Earth in “Love Me”
Heartwarming “Out of My Mind” Highlights the Importance of Disability Advocacy
Mysterious “Brief History of a Family” Examines One-Child Policy
“Agent of Happiness” Spotlights a National Campaign and Sparks Self-Reflection
“Better Angels: The Gospel According to Tammy Faye” Uncovers Evangelist’s Controversial Stances
“Gaucho Gaucho” Celebrates a Traditional Cowboy Community With Authenticity
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” Shines a Light on a Real-Life Hero
“The American Society of Magical Negroes” Saves Lives and Changes Minds
“The Greatest Night in Pop” Proves That We’re Most Powerful as a Collective
Genre Mashup “It’s What’s Inside” Thrills the Late-Night Crowd
Day 3
After a couple of marathon days, it was so nice to catch up with all the filmmakers at Directors Brunch. We also got inspired by a conversation between Steven Soderbergh and André Holland, and were speechless at the performances and speeches happening at the Native Forum.
“Porcelain War” Stands at the Intersection of War, Beauty, and Resistance
“Exhibiting Forgiveness”: An Exercise in Healing, On and Off the Set
“Seeking Mavis Beacon” Searches for an Icon of Black Representation in Technology
Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin Balance Trauma and Humor in “A Real Pain”
Twists, Turns, and a Bubble Gum Baby Make “Krazy House” a Thrill Ride
“Girls Will Be Girls” Director Shuchi Talati Gets Frank About Female Sexuality in Indian Cinema
“Love Lies Bleeding” Throbs with Romance, Violence, and Flesh
Day 4
This year’s first Sundance Sunday featured inspiring speeches from the Producers Brunch and thought-provoking discussions from Jesse Eisenberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor. We also caught up with the New Frontier gang to discuss AI in storytelling.
“Union”: Story of Amazon Labor Union Gives Hope to Ordinary Workers
“Luther: Never Too Much” Examines the Joys and Struggles of a Beloved Musical Icon
The Rise and Fall of “The Synanon Fix”: “Like Frogs Boiling Slowly in Water”
“Good One” Explores Uncomfortable Truths of Teenage Girlhood
“A Different Man” Is a Triumph That Lingers Long After Credits Role
Climate Change Exacerbates Conflicts in “The Battle for Laikipia”
“DEVO” Revitalizes the De-volution Movement for the Next 50 Years
Day 5
The Park was hopping with the Art of Editing celebration, while over at Filmmakers Lodge The Big Conversation revolved around “Screens of Consciousness.” We also caught up with Andra Day and more at the BMI Music and Film panel.
Gut-Level Understanding of Afghan Refugees in Iran Permeates “In the Land of Brothers”
“Daughters” and Dads Come Together for One Magical, Fleeting Dance
“Nocturnes” Invites Us to the Vibrant Dark of Nature’s Night
“Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat”: Political Machinations in the Congo
Asmae El Moudir Uncovers Her Family’s Truth in “The Mother of All Lies”
“Look Into My Eyes” Peers Into the Lives of New York City Psychics
“Desire Lines” Explores an Erotic Archive of Transmasculine Sexuality
“In A Violent Nature”: Festivalgoers Look Through the Eyes of a Murderer
Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” Asks, How Far Will You Go For Love?
“War Game” Examines the Real Possibility of Another Insurrection in the U.S.
Life Imitates Art and Vice Versa: Bruno Mourral’s “Kidnapping Inc.” Journey from Haiti to Sundance
Day 6
Ever wanted a specialized watchlist from independent cinema icons? Through this year’s Power of Story, Richard Linklater, Christine Vachon, Dawn Porter, and Miguel Arteta have you covered. We also hopped over to Filmmakers Lodge for two awesome conversations: Science vs. Fiction: A Conversation with Jonathan Nolan and Channeling Obsessions with Lucy Lawless, Carla Gutiérrez, and Lana Wilson.
Day 7
There was no better way to push us through the middle of the Festival week than to celebrate our incredible volunteers. We also got a great episodic pep talk from Cinema Café.
Day 8
As the online portion of the Festival got started, expanding Sundance’s mission to indie film lovers everywhere, we took a few trips into our past for some 40th Edition Celebration screenings.
Day 9
We started our day at The Ray with our 2024 Sundance Film Festival awards ceremony and laughed, cried, and celebrated all the works from this year’s slate. Then we hopped online to rewatch all the award winners.
Days 10 and 11
Closing out the Fest with a deep dive into our short film programs is one of our favorite things to do. This year, as a nice nod to our 40th Edition Celebration, Netflix hosted a surprise screening of two Wes Anderson shorts including Bottle Rocket, which premiered at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival.
It’s hard to believe that the 2024 Sundance Film Festival is already just a bunch of amazing memories. We could not be prouder of all the projects that premiered and the artists who have put their faith in us. Thank you for joining along with us!
