PARK CITY, Utah — The nonprofit Sundance Institute has revealed the 16 jurors who will be granting awards for artistic and cinematic excellence at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Alongside the jurors, five members of the jury will present the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. The festival is scheduled to take place from January 18-28, 2024, in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with select films available online from January 25-28. Films in competition categories will be screened both in person and via the online platform from January 27-28. The Festival will mark its 40th edition this year, bringing together audiences in Utah and beyond to celebrate the rich history of Sundance in supporting new stories and independent artists.
The 16-member jury is composed of individuals from diverse fields such as film, art, and culture. As a special mark for the 40th edition of the Festival, all 16 members are Festival alumni. They will not only serve as jurors but will also participate in celebratory programming, including talks, panels, a special trivia night, and a party for artist alumni. The award ceremony for feature films will be held on January 26, 2024, at The Ray Theatre in Park City, and the winners of the short film category will be announced on January 23, 2024, at the Shorts Awards & Party presented by Argo and WeShort.
The jury for the U.S. Dramatic Competition includes Debra Granik, Adrian Tomine, and Lena Waithe. Shane Boris, Nicole Newnham, and Rudy Valdez will be on the U.S. Documentary Competition jury. The World Cinema Dramatic Competition jury includes Jennifer Kent, Mira Nair, and Rui Poças. Mandy Chang, Monica Hellström, and Shaunak Sen will be on the World Cinema Documentary Competition jury. The Short Film Program Competition jury includes Christina Oh, Danny Pudi, and Charlotte Regan. Lastly, Zal Batmanglij will serve as the juror for the NEXT competition section.
The jury for the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize has already deliberated and awarded the prize to “Love Me,” directed by Sam and Andy Zuchero. This prize, awarded to films that explore themes of science and technology or depict scientists, engineers, or mathematicians as major characters, is presented by a jury consisting of both film and science professionals.
Eugene Hernandez, Festival Director, expressed his gratitude to the jurors and highlighted the importance of their role in recognizing and promoting emerging artists. Kim Yutani, Director of Programming, emphasized the significance of having the jurors, all of whom have previous experience at the Festival, return to Sundance to watch and appreciate the carefully curated selection of films.
In addition to the jury awards, festival attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for the 2024 Audience Awards, which are open to films in various competition categories. The Festival Favorite award will be selected based on the votes of attendees from all in-person eligible feature film screenings.
The Sundance Film Festival, organized by the Sundance Institute, has been instrumental in discovering and showcasing visionary emerging artists since 1985. Over the years, it has introduced groundbreaking films and episodic works to audiences worldwide. The festival consists of fiction and nonfiction features, short films, series, and performances. The 2024 Festival will be held in person and online, providing a platform for audiences and artists to connect and celebrate independent storytelling. Donations to support the Sundance Institute’s commitment to uplifting bold artists and powerful storytelling globally can be made at sundance.org/donate.
The Festival’s sponsors include Acura, AMC+, Chase Sapphire, Adobe, and others who have contributed to the success of the Festival and the Institute’s year-round programs for independent artists. More information about the Sundance Film Festival can be found at festival.sundance.org.