By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival is having a front-row seat for the bright future of independent filmmaking. While we can learn a lot about the filmmakers from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival through the art that these storytellers share with us, there’s always more we can learn about them as people. We decided to get to the bottom of those artistic wells with our ongoing series: Give Me the Backstory!
In 2003, the Sundance Film Festival screened a seven-minute short film made on a microbudget with near-nonexistent production value about a man attempting to record his answering machine message. “I showed a short film made for $3 at Sundance in 2003, and it changed my life forever,” says filmmaker Jay Duplass. “Sundance has given me my career and helped make my dreams come true.” Directed by Duplass and written by his brother, Mark, This Is John launched the pair’s filmmaking career, which has included writing and directing (often together), producing, acting, and more. And now Jay Duplass is headed back to Park City in 2026 with his first solo-directed project at the Sundance Film Festival since The Puffy Chair — his feature debut — in 2005.
See You When I See You, written by Adam Cayton-Holland, will screen in the Premieres section at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Based on Cayton-Holland’s book Tragedy Plus Time: A Tragi-Comic Memoir, Duplass’ film follows Aaron (Festival alum Cooper Raiff) as he and his family attempt to cope after the tragic death of Leah (Kaitlyn Dever), Aaron’s younger sister. With an ensemble cast that features David Duchovny, Hope Davis, Lucy Boynton, and Ariela Barer, this true tragicomedy touches on the many ways people grieve — from depression to avoidance to deflecting with humor — in a way that Duplass hopes can resonate with anyone and everyone. “This is a story about generating love and hope in what feels like impossible times,” the filmmaker explains.
Learn more about See You When I See You and Duplass below, including the director’s biggest challenge on set and his advice to other filmmakers.
What was the biggest inspiration behind See You When I See You?
The real life story of Adam Cayton-Holland and his family
Describe whom you want this film to reach.
Every single person that’s ever lived
Tell us an anecdote about casting or working with your actors.
Assembling the ensemble was a long process of finding the right magical people who look and feel like family and who maintain excellent senses of humor even in the toughest of times.
Your favorite part of making See You When I See You? Memories from the process?
I’d say wrapping was probably my favorite part — making independent films is quite hard.
What was a big challenge you faced while making this film?
The limits of my own creativity and ingenuity was and always is the biggest challenge in my opinion.
Films are lasting artistic legacies; what do you want yours to say?
I’d like See You When I See You to say whatever the audience needs to hear.
Tell us why and how you got into filmmaking.
I’ve had some of the peak emotional experiences and breakthroughs in my life as an audience member in movie theaters, and it’s my dream to pay that forward to others.
If you weren’t a filmmaker, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be making music, or taking photographs, which I currently do, just not professionally.
What is something that all filmmakers should keep in mind in order to become better cinematic storytellers?
Always trust your instincts, and follow them to the ends of the Earth. If you fail that way, at least you fail on your own terms.
Who are your creative heroes?
The Coen Brothers, Kelly Reichardt, John Cassavetes, the directors of Dumb and Dumber
What three things do you always have in your refrigerator?
Ketchup, protein drinks, uneaten/expired lettuce
What was the last thing you saw that you wish you made?
Margaret by Kenny Lonergan
One thing people don’t know about me is _____.
I watch YouTube more than I watch movies.
Which of your personal characteristics contributes most to your success as a storyteller?
The ability to be in receiving mode when everyone on set secretly wants you to be a dictator
Who was the first person you told when you learned you got into the Sundance Film Festival?
My parents
What’s your favorite film that has come from the Sundance Institute or Festival?
