What to Watch: Debut Features From the Sundance Film Festival 101 List
(L-R): Olive (Abigail Breslin), Sheryl (Toni Collette), Frank (Steve Carell) and Richard (Greg Kinnear) in Little Miss Sunshine. Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox/Eric Lee By
(L-R): Olive (Abigail Breslin), Sheryl (Toni Collette), Frank (Steve Carell) and Richard (Greg Kinnear) in Little Miss Sunshine. Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox/Eric Lee By
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
A still from “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” by David Borestein and Pavel Talankin, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance
By Jessica Herndon Filmmaker Chloé Zhao has a singular way of channeling poetic and visceral energy, both on screen and off. It’s nearly impossible to
Chloé Zhao, Michelle Satter, and Ryan Coogler. Photo by Chelsea Lauren for Shutterstock / Sundance Film Festival By Jessica Herndon While accepting her Trailblazer Award
(L–R) Midori Francis and Natalie Erika James attend the “Saccharine” premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 22, 2026,
(L–R) Christos Passalis, Myrsini Aristidou, and Maria Petrova attend the “HOLD ONTO ME (Κράτα Με)” premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Library Center
(L–R) Minos Papas, Apoorva Guru Charan, Marceline Hugot, Shane Harper, Victor Slezak, Anna Sargent, Liz Sargent, and Ali Ahn attend the Q&A for “Take Me
Mileva Gara Jovanović and Nada Stanišić appear in “To Hold a Mountain” by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance
(L–R) Programmer Emily Doe, Gregory Barnes, Leah Vlemmiks, Jamie Kiernan O’Brien, Eduardo Braun Costa, Jen Nee Lim, Samuel Suffren, and Adam Curley attend the premiere
Adam Meeks attends the premiere of his film “Union County,” an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Sundance Institute) By
Alexander Heller, Nevada Jose, Will Brill, and Giselle Bonilla pose with cast members at “The Musical” premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles