Sundance 2026: A Festival of Firsts and Lasts in Park City
This year's Sundance Film Festival marks a poignant turning point in its storied history. It will be the first edition held without its iconic founder, Robert Redford, who passed away in September 2025 at the age of 89. Simultaneously, it represents the final chapter for the festival in its long-time home of Park City, Utah, where it has been a cornerstone of independent cinema since its inception in 1978.
The absence of Redford, a towering figure who cultivated Sundance into a vital launchpad for American indie films, will undoubtedly cast an emotional shadow over the proceedings. Organisers have planned special events to honour his legacy, ensuring that his contributions to the cinematic landscape are celebrated amidst the usual buzz of premieres and industry chatter.
Natalie Portman Leads a Star-Studded Satire
Natalie Portman returns to the festival circuit with The Gallerist, a darkly comedic satire set against the backdrop of Art Basel Miami. Directed by Cathy Yan, the film sees Portman playing a gallerist embroiled in a macabre scheme involving a deceased body as an art installation. This role marks a welcome departure from her superhero outings, showcasing her in more daring, unconventional territory.
The supporting cast is nothing short of spectacular, featuring Jenna Ortega, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Zach Galifianakis, Sterling K. Brown, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Daniel Brühl, and pop sensation Charli XCX. This ensemble promises to deliver one of the most talked-about performances of the festival.
Charli XCX Takes Centre Stage in Pop Mockumentary
Charli XCX is set to have a remarkable presence at Sundance 2026, appearing in three separate films. Her most significant role comes in The Moment, a lead performance in an absurdist pop mockumentary that parodies the self-indulgent concert documentaries of recent years. The film imagines an alternate reality stemming from her "Brat" summer of 2024, offering a playful yet risky satire that draws inspiration from classics like This Is Spinal Tap.
Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe Team Up for Historical Drama
Fresh from an Oscar-nominated year, Ethan Hawke headlines The Weight, a 1930s-set drama directed by Padraic McKinley. Hawke portrays a struggling father forced to smuggle gold to escape a brutal work camp, with Russell Crowe taking on villainous duties. The film reunites Hawke with the festival where he previously premiered acclaimed works like Before Sunrise and Boyhood.
Courtney Love Documentary Promises Unfiltered Access
Antiheroine offers an intimate, warts-and-all portrait of Courtney Love as she navigates life in London, focusing on her sobriety journey and the recording of a new album. With contributions from musicians like Michael Stipe and Billie Joe Armstrong, the documentary aims to present a raw and complicated depiction of the iconic rock star, produced by the team behind docs on Pamela Anderson and Victoria Beckham.
Notable Documentaries and Genre Offerings
The festival continues its strong documentary strand with Alex Gibney's Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie, an intimate exploration of the author's 2022 attack and recovery, based on his memoir. Meanwhile, the horror selection includes the mysterious Buddy, a Midnight Movie from the producers of Barbarian, starring Cristin Milioti and Michael Shannon in a tale that blends terror with comedic elements.
Other highlights include Olivia Wilde's relationship drama The Invite, featuring Seth Rogen and Penelope Cruz; John Wilson's eccentric documentary The History of Concrete; and the timely Iranian drama The Friend's House Is Here, which addresses artistic freedom under political repression.
As Sundance prepares to leave Utah, the 2026 lineup promises a fittingly diverse and compelling send-off, blending established stars with emerging voices in independent filmmaking.
