A still from Amy Berg’s documentary “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley,” which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
By Lucy Spicer
Devotees of independent film are familiar with the practice of patience. It’s thrilling to fall in love with an indie film at its festival premiere, but then comes the waiting game as the movie seeks distribution in an increasingly cutthroat industry. This August, audiences from Sundance Film Festivals past will see their patience rewarded as titles from 2025, 2024, and 2023 get released into the wider world.
Music lovers are in for a treat this month, with documentaries about Jeff Buckley and Devo coming to theaters and Netflix respectively, as well as a tense debut thriller about fandom and social media fame from Alex Russell (known for producing and writing on TV series The Bear and Beef). Joining these titles are three inspired films revolving around family and community: a hybrid fiction/nonfiction portrait of a tough South Dakota horse trainer and her kids, a Brooklyn-set love story starring André Holland, and a long-awaited drama about a Southern family from Angus MacLachlan.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley — Most widely known for his unforgettable cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley has proved an indelible influence on countless artists — an extraordinary feat considering how swiftly the man’s life was cut short. Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, director Amy Berg’s new documentary creates a devoted portrait of the late musician and his legacy, featuring never-before-seen archival footage, interviews with those who knew and loved Buckley, and voice messages from the man himself to capture an individual whose life and artistry have had an immeasurable impact on the world of music. Coming to select theaters August 8.
East of Wall — Director Kate Beecroft’s life was changed when she came across a ranch located east of a South Dakota town called Wall. Helmed by rebellious horse trainer Tabatha Zimiga, the ranch was home to Zimiga’s family as well as a gaggle of teenagers who needed a place to go. Feeling an immediate connection to the badass Zimiga and her horse-riding kids, Beecroft crafted a film in which her new friends played versions of themselves, weaving fiction with reality to illustrate the love and hardships that coexist in their isolated community. Also starring Jennifer Ehle and Scoot McNairy, East of Wall premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award: NEXT. Coming to select theaters August 15.
DEVO — Viewed as a joke band by those who don’t know any better, new wave group Devo rocketed to the forefront of pop culture with their 1980 hit “Whip It.” In Sundance Film Festival regular Chris Smith’s film DEVO, the band’s origins (created in the wake of the Kent State massacre and based in the concept of “de-evolution”), artistry, message, and unusual trajectory are explored in detail through a wealth of archival footage and candid interviews with members Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale. Smith’s high-energy documentary premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Streaming on Netflix August 19.
Lurker — In writer-director Alex Russell’s feature directorial debut, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) gains entry into budding musician Oliver’s (Archie Madekwe) inner circle after the two cross paths at Matthew’s retail job. As Matthew becomes more deeply embedded in Oliver’s world, his friendship with the artist turns into obsession — an obsession that reaches dangerous levels when Matthew’s status within the group proves uncertain. A biting commentary on fandom and social media celebrity, Lurker premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Coming to select theaters August 22.
A Little Prayer — Writer-director Angus MacLachlan (Junebug, 2005 Sundance Film Festival) returned to the Festival in 2023 with another film set in his home state of North Carolina. In the city of Winston-Salem, Bill (David Strathairn) and his wife live with their son, David (Will Pullen), and his amiable wife, Tammy (Jane Levy). Forced to juggle the arrival of his stressed-out daughter (Anna Camp) and his suspicions that David is having an affair, Bill must reckon with what he has always believed are his responsibilities as a patriarch while recognizing the cyclical behaviors that are manifesting in his Southern family. Coming to select theaters August 29.
Love, Brooklyn — Written by Paul Zimmerman and directed by Rachael Abigail Holder in her feature debut, Love, Brooklyn follows three Brooklynites whose relationships, friendships, and careers grow and change even as the borough they call home becomes gentrified around them. Starring André Holland, Nicole Beharie, and DeWanda Wise, this community-focused film is at once a love story and an adult coming-of-age tale. Executive-produced by Steven Soderbergh, Love, Brooklyn premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Coming to select theaters August 29.
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is underway! Traveling to all corners of the United States and beyond in the following months, the 100-minute program features seven short films selected from the 2025 Festival, including two Festival Award–winning titles. Check here for dates and venues; see below for dates in August.
- Portland, Maine, August 10, Space Gallery
- New York, New York, August 15, Soho House
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 15–19, The Music Hall
- Columbia, South Carolina, August 20, Nickelodeon Theatre
- North Kansas City, Missouri, August 22, Screenland Armour
- Nashville, Tennessee, August 22, Belcourt Theatre
- Los Angeles, California, August 25, Soho House
- Columbus, Ohio, August 25, Wexner Center for the Arts
- Houston, Texas, August 28–31, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Louisville, Kentucky, August 29–31, Speed Art Museum
