By Bailey Pennick
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!
There are a few names that are so synonymous with Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival that we don’t really need to get to know them at this point in their careers. The singular artist Gregg Araki is definitely one of those people. When looking at his long history with our organization, the many hats he’s worn include director, screenwriter, producer, juror, panelist, editor, cinematographer, and creative advisor. Starting at the 1990 January Screenwriters Lab with Totally F***ed Up (1994 Sundance Film Festival) and The Living End premiering at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival, Araki has been sharing his unapologetic and authentic take on queer and youth culture with us and the world.
Even this year, Araki is doing triple duty as the director of a Park City Legacy screening with the brand-new restoration of Mysterious Skin, a guest on the highly anticipated Beyond Film event Cinema Café: The Indie 90s, and the filmmaker of I Want Your Sex, which is having its world debut in the Premieres category. So, do we really need to get to know Gregg Araki? No, but do we want to have a quick catch-up on what inspired his latest film — 12th in his filmography and first new feature in over a decade? Of course we do.
I Want Your Sex is overwhelming for the senses in the best way. Bright colors, quick cuts, and sharp wit place you right next to Elliot (a delightful Cooper Hoffman) as he navigates the rollercoaster reality of having his wildest dream come true as a sexual muse — and art studio assistant — to the iconic and controversial visual artist Erika Tracy (an unmatched Olivia Wilde). Cowritten by Karley Sciortino, Araki’s story is twisted, exciting and original.
Below get a quick snapshot of what Araki wants you to know about making I Want Your Sex.
What was the biggest inspiration behind this film?
I Want Your Sex is a sex-positive love letter to Gen Z.
Tell us about working with your actors for I Want Your Sex.
The ensemble cast of this movie which includes Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Charli xcx, and Daveed Diggs is one of the most amazing, crazy talented group of actors I’ve ever worked with. Every day on set I was blown away by their performances and the way they brought their characters to life.
What was a big challenge you faced while making this film?
As the title might imply, sex and sexuality are a central narrative/thematic concern in this film so there were a lot of intimacy scenes to work through. Fortunately, the cast was extraordinarily fearless, serious about the work, and fully committed from the get go. It also helped that it was very familiar territory for me and I’ve had a lot of experience in this area. Plus we had a fantastic intimacy coordinator, Yehuda Duenyas.
Tell us about your history with Sundance Institute. Why did you want I Want Your Sex to premiere with us?
I have had 10 features and one TV show screen at the Festival beginning with The Living End in 1992 as well as being on various juries and panels over the years. Sundance is THE indie cinema place to be and I owe my entire life and career to Sundance, so I couldn’t be more excited to have my new film make its world premiere here.
