Sundance 2026: A Festival of Firsts and Lasts in Park City
This year's Sundance Film Festival is set to be a landmark event, marked by significant emotional and geographical shifts. It will be the first edition without its iconic founder, Robert Redford, who passed away in September at the age of 89, and the last to be held in Park City, Utah, where it has been anchored since its inception in 1978. The festival, a cornerstone of American independent cinema, will honour Redford's legacy with commemorative events, celebrating his role in fostering a vibrant ecosystem for indie filmmakers. As attendees bid farewell to both the visionary leader and the mountainous locale, the focus remains on a compelling lineup of films poised to spark conversations and define the festival's closing chapter in Utah.
Natalie Portman Leads a Star-Studded Satire in The Gallerist
Natalie Portman, fresh from her Oscar-winning turn in Black Swan, continues to embrace daring roles that defy convention. In The Gallerist, directed by Cathy Yan, Portman portrays a gallerist entangled in a macabre scheme involving a deceased body as art. Set against the backdrop of Art Basel Miami, this dark satire features an ensemble cast including Jenna Ortega, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Zach Galifianakis, promising one of the festival's most tantalising offerings. Portman's commitment to projects helmed by women, following her pledge to support female directors, adds depth to this anticipated premiere.
Charli xcx's Cinematic Debut in The Moment
Charli xcx makes a bold entrance into film with The Moment, a pop mockumentary that sees her playing an exaggerated version of herself. This project, inspired by the Brat summer of 2024, offers a satirical take on self-indulgent concert documentaries, drawing comparisons to classics like This Is Spinal Tap. With roles in two other Sundance films, Charli xcx's festival presence underscores her versatility and risk-taking spirit, making The Moment a hot ticket for audiences seeking innovative storytelling.
Documentary Highlights: From Salman Rushdie to AI Explorations
Sundance's documentary slate remains robust, with Alex Gibney's Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie generating significant buzz. Based on Rushdie's memoir, the film provides an intimate look at the 2022 attack and his recovery, framed as a love story rather than true crime. Meanwhile, The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, from director Daniel Roher, delves into the existential risks and promises of artificial intelligence, reflecting on its impact as Roher prepares for fatherhood. These documentaries highlight the festival's strength in addressing pressing global issues.
Horror and Thriller Offerings: Buddy and The Invite
The festival's horror tradition continues with Buddy, a Midnight Movie from the producers of Barbarian. Featuring Cristin Milioti and Michael Shannon, this film blends horror with comedic elements, following a group of children escaping a sinister kids' TV show. In the thriller category, Olivia Wilde's The Invite adapts the Spanish comedy The People Upstairs, exploring themes of marriage and desire with a cast including Seth Rogen and Penelope Cruz. Shot on 35mm, this project promises a visually rich, chamber-piece experience.
Timely Dramas and Unconventional Features
The Friend's House Is Here offers a poignant look at artistic freedom in Iran, filmed secretly during last summer's bombings. Its premiere is complicated by travel bans affecting the cast and crew, adding real-world resonance to its narrative. On a lighter note, John Wilson's The History of Concrete brings his unique documentary style to the big screen, blending memoir and essay in a joyful, strange exploration of Hallmark movie tropes and concrete.
Star-Studded Farewells and Intimate Portraits
Ethan Hawke returns to Sundance with The Weight, a 1930s drama co-starring Russell Crowe, about a father smuggling gold to escape a work camp. Additionally, Antiheroine provides an unfiltered documentary portrait of Courtney Love, focusing on her sobriety and new album in London. With contributions from music icons, this film aims to capture Love's raw humanity, continuing Sundance's tradition of celebrity tell-alls.
As Sundance 2026 prepares to close its Utah chapter, this diverse lineup ensures a memorable festival, blending emotional tributes with cinematic innovation. From high-profile premieres to intimate documentaries, the event promises to celebrate independent filmmaking while looking ahead to new horizons.
