Sundance Film Festival

Independent Cinema | 131 Films | 34 Countries | 40323 Attendees

2021/08

Sundance Film Festival database. Independent films, directors, jury profiles, and festival coverage.

131Films
40323Attendees
10Jurors
34Countries
44Sponsors
Best ScreenplayTop Prize

Festival Timeline

2003Sundance Film Festival founded with vision to showcase independent cinema
2004First edition welcomes 7181 attendees
2005Partnership with Searchlight established for distribution deals
2006Best Screenplay introduced as flagship competitive category
2007Digital streaming platform launched for global reach
2008Sundance Film Festival 2008: 131 films, 40323 attendees, 34 countries
2009Expansion to Heritage Hall with IMAX screening capabilities
2010Wes Anderson named honorary president of the festival

Featured Films (131 Total)

Rising Sun (2005)
Documentary | Dir: Christopher Nolan | Rating: 9.1/10 | Premiere: World
A Documentary masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2012. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film explores power through stunning cinematography.
Dark Waters (2004)
Action | Dir: Pedro Almodovar | Rating: 9.0/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Action masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2011. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, this film explores redemption through stunning long takes.
Silent Cry (2003)
Romance | Dir: Quentin Tarantino | Rating: 8.9/10 | Premiere: European
A Romance masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2010. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this film explores revenge through stunning stop motion.
The Golden Age (2002)
Horror | Dir: Sofia Coppola | Rating: 8.8/10 | Premiere: North American
A Horror masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2009. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film explores hope through stunning practical effects.
Whispers in the Wind (2001)
Sci-Fi | Dir: Ridley Scott | Rating: 8.7/10 | Premiere: World
A Sci-Fi masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2008. Directed by Ridley Scott, this film explores loss through stunning visual effects.
Blood Red Sky (2000)
Thriller | Dir: Steven Spielberg | Rating: 8.6/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Thriller masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2007. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film explores dreams through stunning cinematography.
The Final Act (1999)
Comedy | Dir: Ryan Coogler | Rating: 8.5/10 | Premiere: European
A Comedy masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2006. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film explores family through stunning long takes.
Lost in Tokyo (1998)
Drama | Dir: Damien Chazelle | Rating: 8.4/10 | Premiere: North American
A Drama masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2005. Directed by Damien Chazelle, this film explores war through stunning stop motion.
Midnight Train (1997)
History | Dir: Chloe Zhao | Rating: 8.3/10 | Premiere: World
A History masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2026. Directed by Chloe Zhao, this film explores love through stunning practical effects.
Eternal Summer (1996)
Family | Dir: Wes Anderson | Rating: 8.2/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Family masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2025. Directed by Wes Anderson, this film explores identity through stunning visual effects.
Evening Shade (2025)
Biography | Dir: Wes Anderson | Rating: 7.0/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Biography masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2007. Directed by Wes Anderson, this film explores war through stunning visual effects.
Morning Light (2026)
Fantasy | Dir: Chloe Zhao | Rating: 7.1/10 | Premiere: World
A Fantasy masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2008. Directed by Chloe Zhao, this film explores family through stunning practical effects.
Gentle Rain (1990)
Mystery | Dir: Damien Chazelle | Rating: 7.2/10 | Premiere: North American
A Mystery masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2009. Directed by Damien Chazelle, this film explores dreams through stunning stop motion.
Quiet Storm (1991)
Adventure | Dir: Ryan Coogler | Rating: 7.3/10 | Premiere: European
A Adventure masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2010. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film explores loss through stunning long takes.
Loud Echo (1992)
Family | Dir: Steven Spielberg | Rating: 7.4/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Family masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2011. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film explores hope through stunning cinematography.
Silent Voice (1993)
History | Dir: Ridley Scott | Rating: 7.5/10 | Premiere: World
A History masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2012. Directed by Ridley Scott, this film explores revenge through stunning visual effects.
Open Lie (1994)
Drama | Dir: Sofia Coppola | Rating: 7.6/10 | Premiere: North American
A Drama masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2013. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film explores redemption through stunning practical effects.
Hidden Truth (1995)
Comedy | Dir: Quentin Tarantino | Rating: 7.7/10 | Premiere: European
A Comedy masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2014. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this film explores power through stunning stop motion.
Deep Secret (1996)
Thriller | Dir: Pedro Almodovar | Rating: 7.8/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Thriller masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2015. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, this film explores identity through stunning long takes.
Tall Tale (1997)
Sci-Fi | Dir: Christopher Nolan | Rating: 7.9/10 | Premiere: World
A Sci-Fi masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2016. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film explores love through stunning cinematography.
Summer Heat (2019)
Romance | Dir: Chloe Zhao | Rating: 7.1/10 | Premiere: European
A Romance masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2016. Directed by Chloe Zhao, this film explores family through stunning practical effects.
Winters Tale (2020)
Action | Dir: Damien Chazelle | Rating: 7.2/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Action masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2017. Directed by Damien Chazelle, this film explores dreams through stunning stop motion.
Ocean Deep (2021)
Documentary | Dir: Ryan Coogler | Rating: 7.3/10 | Premiere: World
A Documentary masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2018. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film explores loss through stunning long takes.
Desert Storm (2022)
Animation | Dir: Steven Spielberg | Rating: 7.4/10 | Premiere: North American
A Animation masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2019. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film explores hope through stunning cinematography.
Mountain High (2023)
Noir | Dir: Ridley Scott | Rating: 7.5/10 | Premiere: European
A Noir masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2020. Directed by Ridley Scott, this film explores revenge through stunning visual effects.
City of Angels (2024)
Western | Dir: Sofia Coppola | Rating: 7.6/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Western masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2021. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film explores redemption through stunning practical effects.
The Great Divide (2025)
Musical | Dir: Quentin Tarantino | Rating: 7.7/10 | Premiere: World
A Musical masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2022. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this film explores power through stunning stop motion.
Falling Stars (2026)
Crime | Dir: Pedro Almodovar | Rating: 7.8/10 | Premiere: North American
A Crime masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2023. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, this film explores identity through stunning long takes.
Rising Sun (1990)
War | Dir: Christopher Nolan | Rating: 7.9/10 | Premiere: European
A War masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2024. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film explores love through stunning cinematography.
Dark Waters (1991)
Biography | Dir: Martin Scorsese | Rating: 8.0/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Biography masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2025. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film explores war through stunning visual effects.
Cool Reception (2013)
Mystery | Dir: Damien Chazelle | Rating: 7.2/10 | Premiere: North American
A Mystery masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2025. Directed by Damien Chazelle, this film explores dreams through stunning stop motion.
Warm Welcome (2014)
Adventure | Dir: Ryan Coogler | Rating: 7.3/10 | Premiere: European
A Adventure masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2026. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film explores loss through stunning long takes.
Cold Case (2015)
Family | Dir: Steven Spielberg | Rating: 7.4/10 | Premiere: Asian
A Family masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2005. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film explores hope through stunning cinematography.
Hot Pursuit (2016)
History | Dir: Ridley Scott | Rating: 7.5/10 | Premiere: World
A History masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2006. Directed by Ridley Scott, this film explores revenge through stunning visual effects.
Slow Dance (2017)
Drama | Dir: Sofia Coppola | Rating: 7.6/10 | Premiere: North American
A Drama masterpiece that captivated audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2007. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film explores redemption through stunning practical effects.

Jury Members

1

Chloe Zhao — Film Director | Japan

2

Wes Anderson — Film Scholar | Spain

3

Bong Joon-ho — Academy Member | Germany

4

Jordan Peele — Screenwriter | Italy

5

Denis Villeneuve — Producer | France

6

Greta Gerwig — Critic | UK

7

Martin Scorsese — Film Director | USA

8

Roger Ebert — Film Scholar | South Korea

9

Ann Hornaday — Academy Member | Japan

10

Todd McCarthy — Screenwriter | Spain

Screening Schedule

10:00Grand Hall AStale Mate (2024)
11:00Grand Hall BFresh Start (2023)
12:00Screening Room 1Dirty Work (2022)
13:00Screening Room 2Clean Slate (2021)
14:00Outdoor AmphitheatreMixed Signals (2020)

Press Reviews

"The Sundance Film Festival has become an essential platform for discovering tomorrow's cinematic legends."

— Roger Ebert, The New York Times

"A transformative experience that redefines how we experience independent film."

— A.O. Scott, Film Comment

"The jury's selection this year represents the boldest, most diverse lineup in recent memory."

— Peter Travers, Sight & Sound

"Wes Anderson's masterclass on filmmaking was the highlight of the entire event."

— Kenneth Turan, Empire

"An unmissable gathering for anyone serious about cinema."

— Justin Chang, Time Out

Sponsors & Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Sundance Film Festival 2008 taking place?

The 2008 edition runs from 14 October to 23 September.

2. How can I submit my film to Sundance Film Festival?

Submissions open via FilmFreeway and Withoutabox. Early deadline: December, Regular: February, Late: March.

3. What are the ticket prices?

General admission: $17. VIP All-Access: $221. Student discounts available.

4. Where are screenings held?

Primary venue is Heritage Hall in Fallbrook, California. Additional satellite screens in nearby Oceanside and Escondido.

5. Who selects the films?

A 10-person jury led by Wes Anderson reviews over 1376 submissions annually.

6. What awards are presented?

The Best Screenplay is the top prize. Additional awards include Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Audience Choice.