The Latest
Retracing Ryan Coogler’s Sundance Institute Journey
Feature Film Program Founding Director Michelle Satter recalls Sundance Institute’s journey with and support of Ryan Coogler and his feature directorial debut Fruitvale Station.I met Ryan Coogler in the fall of 2011 when he came in to have a conversation about his script, Fruitvale Station. As I listened to Ryan speak about why he needed to tell this story, his deep, personal commitment to the project became evident.
2025 Sundance Institute Producers Lab Fellows Announced
PARK CITY, UTAH, July 11, 2025 — The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the 11 producers chosen for its annual Producers Labs, returning to Ucross
As “Tangerine” Hits 10, Relive Its Groundbreaking Sundance Film Festival Premiere in Photos
Tangerine director Sean Baker and cast member Mya Taylor attend the film’s premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. By Jessica Herndon When Tangerine premiered
Through Their Lens: What Cinematographer Jomo Fray Saw at the 2025 Directors Lab
By Bailey Pennick There’s something arresting about the way Jomo Fray captures the world. The cinematographer, now best known for his unparalleled work on 2024’s
Directors Lab at 45: Sterlin Harjo Thinks Back to Gaining a Seat at the Table During the 2004 Lab
Director Sterlin Harjo and creative advisor Mike White at the 2004 Screenwriters Lab. By Jessica Herndon As the Sundance Institute Directors Lab turns 45, we’re
Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Juan Mejía Botero, the Director of “Igualada: Refusing to Know Your Place”
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
Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Tadashi Nakamura, the Filmmaker Behind “Third Act”
By Lucy Spicer Editor’s note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robert A. Nakamura, a trailblazer in Asian American cinema and the subject
“IGUALADA” Beats the Odds in the Ultimate Underdog Tale
(Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival) By Patty Consolazio This one’s for any person who’s ever felt put down, left out, marginalized, oppressed, alone, defeated,
Release Rundown: What to Watch in July, From “FOLKTALES” to “Oh, Hi!”
Hege Wik and Odin appear in “FOLKTALES” by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance
Take 5: Sundance Collab Instructor Patrick Shen on What He Learned From His Biggest Failure
By Jessica Herndon Welcome to the first edition of Take 5, where we invite you to get familiar with the talented instructors behind our Sundance
Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Eva Victor, the Writer-Director Behind “Sorry, Baby”
By Jessica Herndon One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival is having a front-row seat for the bright future of independent
Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Esteban Arango, the Director of “Ponyboi”
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
Inside the Archives: Underscoring the Value of Digitization and Access
On the set of Leslie McCleave’s “The Shamrocks” with Mount Timpanogos as a backdrop during the 1999 Directors Lab. Photo by Sandria Miller By Archives
Amrou Al-Kadhi’s “Layla” Brings Audience to Its Knees
Louis Greatorex, Amrou Al-Kadhi and Bilal Hasana. (Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival) By Veronika Lee Claghorn The world premiere of Amrou Al-Kadhi’s Layla, which
Personnel Thoughts: Our Sundance Film Festival Picks From the Aubrey Plaza Archives
Aubrey Plaza getting ready for My Old Ass (photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock for Sundance) Here at the Sundance Institute, we talk a lot about film.