The Sundance Film Festival has announced its 2026 lineup, featuring world premieres of films from directors like Olivia Wilde, Gregg Araki, and Andrew Stanton. This edition marks the festival's final year in Park City, Utah, before relocating to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027. Highlights include new projects involving Charli XCX and documentaries on figures like Courtney Love and Brittney Griner.
Overview
The Sundance Institute unveiled the full lineup for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on December 10, 2025, showcasing 90 feature films from 28 countries and territories. Forty percent of the features are from first-time directors, with 97% world premieres. The festival runs from January 22 to February 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, including a shortened online program from January 29 to February 1. Single tickets go on sale January 14.
This year holds special significance as the last in Park City after over 40 years, following the festival founder's Robert Redford's death. Programming director Kim Yutani emphasized the lineup's focus on 'intimate character journeys and deeply human stories.' Acting CEO Amanda Kelso highlighted honoring Redford's legacy and community connections.
Key Films and Sections
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Features include 'Bedford Park' by Stephanie Ahn, starring Moon Choi and Son Sukku; 'Carousel' with Chris Pine and Jenny Slate; and 'Josephine' directed by Beth de Araújo, featuring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan.
World Cinema Dramatic
International entries like Israel's 'Tell Me Everything' by Moshe Rosenthal, about a boy's family secret amid the 1980s HIV crisis; New Zealand's 'Big Girls Don’t Cry'; and Indonesia's 'Levitating'.
Premieres
High-profile debuts: Olivia Wilde directs and stars in 'The Invite' with Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz; Gregg Araki's 'I Want Your Sex' starring Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman; Andrew Stanton's 'In the Blink of An Eye,' winner of the 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, with Rashida Jones and Kate McKinnon; Aidan Zamiri's 'The Moment' starring Charli XCX; Cathy Yan's 'The Gallerist' with Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega.
Documentaries
U.S. Documentary Competition includes 'American Doctor' on Gaza aid workers and 'Who Killed Alex Odeh?'. Premieres feature 'Antiheroine' on Courtney Love and 'The Brittney Griner Story'.
Other Sections
Midnight offers horror like 'Saccharine'; NEXT includes experimental works; Episodic showcases series like 'BAIT' with Riz Ahmed.
The lineup reflects Sundance's commitment to independent storytelling amid transition.