Sundance Film Festival Reveals Lineup for 2026

      The first glimpse of what independent cinema has in store for 2026 is here with the announcement of the Sundance Film Festival lineup. The festival will be held from January 22 to February 1, 2026, in-person in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with an online program available for audiences nationwide from January 29 to February 1, 2026. Today's lineup features 90 feature films and seven episodic projects.

      Notable entries include new works from directors such as Gregg Araki, Kogonada, John Wilson, Josephine Decker, David Wain, Cathy Yan, Olivia Wilde, Andrew Stanton, Macon Blair, Jay Duplass, Mark Cousins, and others, along with competition films featuring stars like Chris Pine, Jenny Slate, Rinko Kikuchi, Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, Patrick Wilson, and Will Poulter.

      Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO of Sundance Institute, stated, “The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will be a significant and unforgettable event as we celebrate artists and their visionary works, pay tribute to our founder Robert Redford and his transformative vision, and express gratitude to Utah for our shared journey. We look forward to sparking connections and creativity while promoting independent storytelling to the public. This year serves as a defining moment for uniting as a community to elevate independent film and the Festival's legacy.”

      Eugene Hernandez, Director of Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming, added, “As we get ready to come together for this landmark edition of our Festival in a beloved location, we also honor the lasting impact of our cherished founder, Robert Redford, and celebrate the vibrant home for independent, global storytelling that he established. The announcement of this year's selection marks a critical milestone as we approach the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. With just 44 days left, we are thrilled to finish reviewing submissions from artists worldwide, showcasing a bold mix of new talents and established artists that we invite audiences to explore next month.”

      Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming, shared, “The 2026 Festival lineup allows audiences to experience personal character journeys, poignant narratives, and compelling stories from around the globe. Each year, we are privileged to introduce unique storytellers to viewers, and we are thankful to the artists who trust us with their films at the beginning of their journey. The upcoming edition will be particularly noteworthy in presenting new works while also underscoring the significance of many films we've had the fortune to showcase that have made a lasting impression on independent cinema and culture.”

      Take a look at the lineup below.

      U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION

      The U.S. Dramatic Competition presents festival attendees with a first look at the world premieres of innovative new voices in American independent cinema. Recent years have seen films like *Sorry, Baby*, *Twinless*, *Dìdi (弟弟)*, *A Real Pain*, *In The Summers*, *Nanny*, *CODA*, *Minari*, *Never Rarely Sometimes Always*, *The Farewell*, *Clemency*, *Eighth Grade*, and *Sorry to Bother You* premiere within this category.

      - **Bedford Park** / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Stephanie Ahn, Producers: Gary Foster, Chris S. Lee, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Theresa Kang, Son Sukku) — Audrey, a Korean American woman in her 30s, confronts her troubled past when her mother’s car accident brings her home, leading to a complex relationship with the man responsible for the accident. Cast: Moon Choi, Son Sukku, Won Mi Kyung, Kim Eung Soo, Jefferson White. World Premiere. Available online for public.

      - **Carousel** / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Rachel Lambert, Producers: Alex Saks, David Lipper, Robert A. Daly Jr., Ian Gotler, Chris Pine) — A divorced doctor’s orderly life in Cleveland is disrupted when his daughter’s debate aspirations and an old flame return, forcing him to reconsider his choices and seek a second chance. Cast: Chris Pine, Jenny Slate, Abby Ryder Fortson, Sam Waterston, Katey Sagal. World Premiere. Available online for public.

      - **The Friend’s House Is Here** / U.S.A., Iran (Directors, Screenwriters, and Producers: Hossein Keshavarz, Maryam Ataei) — Two young women in Tehran's underground art scene create a utopia of freedom and sisterhood, but face threats when their circle is exposed. Cast: Mahshad Bahram, Hana Mana, Farzad Karen, Zohreh Pirnia. World Premiere. Available online for public.

      - **Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!** / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Josef Kubota Wladyka, Screenwriter: Nicholas Huynh, Producers: Kimberly