The 2024 Sundance Film Festival marked its final occurrence in Park City, Utah, where it had been held since 1978. The 42nd edition of the festival ran from January 22 through February 1, showcasing 105 projects, including 90 feature films and seven television episodes across screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City, and online. This year's festival was also the first without its founder, Robert Redford, who passed away in September at the age of 89, with events planned to commemorate his contributions to independent American cinema.
The festival is preparing to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, next year.
Market Dynamics and Acquisitions
Sales agents at the festival expressed optimism due to the presence of comedies and high-profile projects. However, the market also exhibited caution from distributors, attributed to past financial challenges faced by independent theatrical releases.
The current spirit of the festival and the needs of streaming services and theatrical distributors were noted to diverge.
Previous Sundance acquisitions have yielded varied outcomes. Netflix's acquisition of Clint Bentley’s "Train Dreams" received four Oscar nominations, and all Oscar-nominated feature documentaries this year premiered at Sundance. In a successful theatrical release, Neon's acquisition of "Together" for $15 million generated $32.2 million globally. In contrast, Lionsgate's distribution of "Kiss of the Spider Woman" grossed $1.6 million domestically.
Major streaming platforms, such as Apple and Amazon, reduced their acquisition activities compared to previous years. New distribution players, including Row K and Black Bear, entered the marketplace. Netflix maintained a selective acquisition approach. Paramount indicated plans to increase its annual theatrical output to 15 titles, and Warner Bros. launched a new genre label. Focus Features may also include two additional films on its annual slate.
Buyers often withheld strong interest until experiencing the films directly.
Challenges for theatrical distributors included the lack of pay-1 streaming deals, impacting their competitive position. Newer distributors are actively building their slates with the aim of eventually securing such deals. Creative financial solutions were available for productions without streaming agreements, such as no minimum guarantee with high distribution fees or a focus on Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) to mitigate risk for equity stakeholders.
Notable Film Premieres
The festival featured a diverse range of films, including:
- The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist (U.S.A.) - A documentary directed by Daniel Roher and Charlie Tyrell, with Daniel Kwan as producer. It explores the risks and opportunities of AI, with its development prompted by Roher’s preparations for fatherhood.
- Antiheroine (U.K., U.S.A.) - A documentary focusing on Courtney Love's move to London in 2019, her efforts to maintain sobriety, and recording a new album. Features contributions from Michael Stipe and Billie Joe Armstrong. Premiere: Jan. 27.
- Buddy (U.S.A.) - A horror film from the production companies behind Barbarian and Weapons. Directed by Casper Kelly and co-written with Jamie King, it features a young girl and her friends attempting to escape a children's television show. The cast includes Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key, Michael Shannon, and Patton Oswalt. The film incorporates slapstick comedy elements and explores themes related to audience engagement with television and fictional narratives. Premiere: Jan. 22.
- Carousel (U.S.A.) - Written and directed by Rachel Lambert, the film stars Chris Pine, Jenny Slate, Abby Ryder Fortson, Sam Waterston, and Katey Sagal. It follows a divorced doctor whose life is disrupted by his daughter's debate aspirations and the return of a past love, exploring themes of lost love, rediscovery, and the influence of past experiences. Premiere: Jan. 22.
- Cookie Queens (U.S.A.) - A documentary following four girls navigating the $800 million Girl Scout Cookie business. Executive producers include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Premiere: Jan. 25.
- The Friend’s House Is Here (Iran) - Secretly filmed, the film addresses artistic freedom, depicting two women in Tehran who protect each other after their creative circle is exposed. The two female leads and several crew members were unable to attend the US premiere due to a travel ban.
- Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (U.S.A.) - Follows Midwestern bride-to-be Gail Daughtry as she embarks on a journey through Hollywood after her fiancé uses their 'free celebrity pass' agreement. Starring Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm, and John Slattery. Premiere: Jan. 25.
- The Gallerist (U.S.A., France) - Directed by Cathy Yan, this film stars Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Sterling K. Brown, Zach Galifianakis, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Daniel Brühl. Set at Art Basel Miami, it features a gallerist conspiring to sell a dead body as art. Premiere: Jan. 24.
- Ha-chan: Shake Your Booty! (Japan) - Directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka, this film includes Rinko Kikuchi, Alberto Guerra, and Alejandro Edda. It portrays aspects of life, love, grief, and closure, utilizing dance as a primary form of expression.
- The History of Concrete (U.S.A.) - John Wilson’s first feature film, which explores the concept of using knowledge from a Hallmark movie writing workshop to create a documentary about concrete. Josh Safdie serves as a producer.
- The Huntress (La Cazadora) (Mexico, U.S.A.) - Inspired by true events, this film features an unlikely defender emerging in Juárez, Mexico, to address violence against women. Starring Adriana Paz and Teresa Sánchez. Premiere: Jan. 22.
- The Incomer (U.K.) - Written and directed by Louis Paxton, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Gayle Rankin, and Grant O’Rourke. The film explores themes of sadness.
- The Invite (U.S.A.) - Directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. Based on the Spanish comedy The People Upstairs, the film explores Joe and Angela's relationship as it is tested during a dinner party with their upstairs neighbors, who invite them to an orgy. Premiere: Jan. 24.
- I Want Your Sex (U.S.A.) - Features Elliot becoming a sexual muse for artist Erika Tracy, leading him into a world of sex, obsession, and betrayal. Starring Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, and Mason Gooding. Premiere: Jan. 23.
- Josephine (U.S.A.) - Written and directed by Beth de Araujo, starring Mason Reeves, Channing Tatum, and Gemma Chan. The film follows 8-year-old Josephine as she acts out to regain control of her safety after witnessing a crime, presenting a perspective on the human impact of rape and systemic frustrations within the legal system. Premiere: Jan. 23.
- Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie (U.S.A.) - A documentary by Alex Gibney, inspired by Salman Rushdie's memoir, chronicles his recovery after a 2022 attack. It utilizes previously unseen footage, including video shot by his wife, Rachel Eliza Griffiths. Premiere: Jan. 25.
- The Moment (U.S.A.) - An absurdist pop mockumentary starring Charli xcx in her debut lead role, portraying an exaggerated version of herself and exploring different choices she could have made during 2024.
- Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story (U.S.A.) - A documentary depicting comedian Maria Bamford's transformation of her mental health journey into comedy, exploring the lines between performance and personal crisis. Premiere: Jan. 22.
- Saccharine (U.S.A.) - A graphic body horror film directed by Natalie Erika James, featuring Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald, and Madeleine Madden. It explores themes relevant to contemporary societal norms, with a central character engaging in self-surgery.
- See You When I See You (U.S.A.) - A comedy writer battles PTSD with the support of his family after the death of his sister. Starring Cooper Raiff, David Duchovny, and Kaitlyn Dever. Premiere: Jan. 27.
- The Shitheads (U.S.A.) - Follows two individuals hired to transfer a wealthy teen to rehab who encounter mayhem. Starring Dave Franco, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Mason Thames. Premiere: Jan. 23.
- Take Me Home (U.S.A.) - Anna, a 38-year-old Korean adoptee with a cognitive disability, faces an uncertain future after a family crisis. Starring Anna Sargent. Premiere: Jan. 26.
- Troublemaker (South Africa, U.S.A., U.K.) - A documentary by Antoine Fuqua, recounting Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid struggle through his own voice, drawn from recordings he made while writing his autobiography. Premiere: Jan. 27.
- The Weight (U.S.A.) - Set in 1933 Oregon, starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe. The film follows Samuel Murphy, a struggling father offered early release from a work camp if he smuggles gold through wilderness. Premiere: Jan. 26.
- Wicker (U.S.A.) - A fisherwoman requests a basketmaker to weave her a husband. Starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Peter Dinklage. Premiere: Jan. 24.