Park City, Utah – The esteemed Sundance Institute has proudly revealed the members of the jury for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, a group poised to evaluate a vibrant array of cinematic works. This year’s festival, scheduled for January 23 through February 2, showcases a robust lineup of films including world debuts happening daily through January 28, with additional screenings in Park City and Salt Lake City.
The festival’s jury consists of 16 members, among them distinguished figures from different sectors of the film industry who will deliberate on various competition categories throughout the event. These categories include U.S. Dramatic and Documentary Competitions, World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions, and others including NEXT and Short Film Programs.
Eugene Hernandez, Director of Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming, commended the jury’s diverse expertise, underscoring their critical role in spotlighting new storytelling talent, a cornerstone in the institute’s contribution to independent cinema. Similarly, Kim Yutani, the Festival’s Director of Programming, expressed gratitude towards the jurors for their dedication to recognizing storytelling and artistic achievement in this year’s selections.
One of the early highlights was the announcement of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, awarded to the film “SALLY” directed by Cristina Costantini. This award underscores significant artistic contributions combined with scientific or technological innovation in filmmaking.
The jury members span a range of experiences and achievements. For example, in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, Reinaldo Marcus Green, known for his recent Paramount project about Bob Marley and the acclaimed film “King Richard,” sits alongside Arian Moayed, who brings a background enriched by theater and television roles, and Celine Song, whose debut feature garnered critical acclaim at Sundance previously.
For documentaries, the jury includes esteemed contributors like Steven Bognar, an Oscar and Emmy-winner known for “American Factory,” and Marcia Smith, president of Firelight Media, a nonprofit supporting documentary filmmakers of color. Their deep understanding of the documentary form will bring valuable insight into the deliberations.
In the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, jurors include Ava Cahen, cinematic commentator and artistic director of Cannes Critics’ Week, and Wanuri Kahiu, a noted filmmaker in the international scene. Daniel Kaluuya, an actor celebrated for his roles in major motion pictures like “Judas and the Black Messiah” and “Get Out,” also brings his experience to the jury.
The festival attendees also contribute through the Audience Awards, voting on films in various competitive categories, with winners announced towards the end of the festival. This interaction highlights the festival’s commitment to engaging its viewership in the cinematic discourse.
Tickets for the in-person and online screenings, which began sale two weeks prior to the festival, gives audiences diverse access points to the innovative storytelling celebrated at Sundance.
The Sundance Film Festival remains a pivotal platform for independent filmmakers globally, introducing groundbreaking films and fostering a vibrant community dedicated to the art of storytelling. This year’s event not only continues this tradition but enhances it by connecting a wider audience through both physical and digital means.
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