After 44 years of celebrating independent films, the Sundance Film Festival returns for its last year in Park City, Utah. Here is L'OFFICIEL's ultimate guide to the most anticipated films.

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is just around the corner, bringing filmmakers, stars, and cinephiles to Park City for ten days of premieres, discovery, and conversation. Running from January 22 to February 1, this year&rsquo;s Sundance Film Festival lineup features some of the most talked‑about premieres in independent cinema, including the mockumentary The Moment starring <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/everything-we-know-about-charli-xcx-s-upcoming-films">Charli XCX</a>, the world premiere of Cookie Queens (a documentary exploring Girl Scout cookie culture), the NEXT competition comedy The Incomer with Domhnall Gleeson, and powerful documentaries like One in a Million. Other highlights include socially‑charged dramas such as Bedford Park and The Friend&rsquo;s House Is Here, plus genre entries like the horror Rock Springs.

<h2 style="text-align: center;">History of Sundance Film Festival</h2>

Robert Redford At The Sundance Film Festival In Salt Lake City, UT. Getty Images

Founded in 1978 by Robert Redford, the Sundance Film Festival began as a modest showcase for independent filmmakers before growing into a legendary platform for bold, original cinema. Over more than four decades, Sundance has championed artists and stories that might otherwise have gone unheard, shaping the landscape of American and international film.&nbsp;
This year's festival carries particular emotional weight, as this is the first after Redford's death in September 2025 at age 89, and will include special tributes to his legacy. The festival will honor Redford&rsquo;s vision with commemorative screenings, including his early independent film Downhill Racer, &nbsp;archival classics, and the inaugural Robert Redford Luminary Award, celebrating artists who embody his commitment to independent storytelling. This will also be the festival&rsquo;s final year in Utah before its landmark move to Boulder, Colorado in 2027, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a bold new chapter for Sundance. As the festival honors its past while looking toward the future, here&rsquo;s your ultimate guide to the films, premieres, and standout talents to watch at Sundance 2026.

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Notable Premieres at Sundance Film Festival</h2>

sundance film festival 2026 dates, premieres, movies

Among the festival&rsquo;s most talked-about films this year are The Moment, Charli XCX&rsquo;s satirical mockumentary exploring the highs and lows of pop stardom and the music industry; Cookie Queens, a documentary following the fierce competition and heartwarming stories behind Girl Scout cookie champions across the U.S.; and The Incomer, a witty NEXT program comedy directed by emerging filmmaker Louis Paxton&nbsp;and starring<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-office-spin-off-peacock-plot-cast-production-release-details"> Domhnall Gleeson</a> as a quirky outsider navigating a small-town upheaval. Sundance 2026 also highlights powerful documentaries like One in a Million, which chronicles a young girl&rsquo;s decade-long journey through war and displacement, as well as genre films including the horror-tinged Rock Springs, a story of small-town secrets and suspense, and socially conscious dramas such as Bedford Park, which tackles family and class tensions, and The Friend&rsquo;s House Is Here, a portrait of urban community resilience. Spanning U.S. Dramatic, World Cinema, Documentary, and Midnight sections, this year&rsquo;s lineup promises breakout talent, buzzy performances, and films already generating early awards-season chatter.

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Sundance Film Festival Tickets</h2>

2018 Sundance Film Festival

Tickets are now available, with options for both in-person screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City, and surrounding venues, as well as a selection of films streaming online from January 29 to February 1. Festival passes, single-film tickets, and special event access can be purchased through the official Sundance website, and early planning is highly recommended as the most anticipated premieres often sell out quickly.

The Official Guide to Sundance Film Festival 2026

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