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Sundance Film Festival programmer discusses 2025 lineup

Sundance Film Festival programmer Basil Tsiokos discussed the upcoming lineup for the Utah-based festival and the process of its selection.

Sundance Film Festival 2025
A sneak peak at some of featured films for this year’s festival. (Sundance Film Festival 2025)

Tsiokos shared insights about the festival’s film-selection process, future location and upcoming features. His remarks gave listeners a glimpse into the inner workings of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, which will run from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2 in Park City and Salt Lake City.

The possibility of Sundance moving out of Utah was addressed by Tsiokos, who acknowledged ongoing considerations about the festival’s location after 2027.

“Utah is still definitely in the mix,” he emphasized.

He then took a moment to highlight Utah’s historical importance to the festival. "We have loved and respected and deeply appreciate the role that Utah has played in our history. It’s been 40-plus years at this point.”

Tsiokos also discussed the programming process, revealing the extensive efforts involved in selecting films.

“If something makes it to the festival, it means that all 13 of us on the programming team — including our festival director and director of programming — have all seen the film, discussed it, and made the decision collectively,” he explained. The process begins almost immediately after the previous year’s festival concludes and involves multiple rounds of review and debate."

Tsiokos reiterated that diversity in filmmaking remains a central focus for the festival.

“We want films to showcase a diversity of ideas, perspectives, filmmakers and subject matter,” Tsiokos said. “We don’t want (the films) to blend into one another.”

This year’s lineup — which, at the time this article was written, includes 93 projects — reflects this commitment. Among the selected works are films by both emerging voices and established names, creating a balance that Tsiokos described as vital to Sundance’s mission.

“It's been in the life and the history of our festival that we are breaking in new talent. We are introducing audiences to actors who you will go on to know and who will go on to have giant careers. Same thing with directors who are making their debut now. But in, you know, two years, five years, ten years, they may be household names as well,” he added.

Tsiokos highlighted several films that align with this year’s apparent thematic focus on youth.

“One big theme this year that we’ve noted both across the fiction and nonfiction films is films that really focused on youth,” he observed. For example, Tsiokos referenced how "Deaf President Now!" examines a pivotal moment at Gallaudet University through the lens of student protests, while "Folk Tales" explores themes of self-reliance among Norwegian high school students.

The festival’s Utah connections were another point of pride for Tsiokos, particularly with "Omaha," a U.S. Dramatic Competition film directed by BYU alumnus Cole Webley.

“We always love to showcase the fantastic talent in Utah,” Tsiokos said, noting that much of the film was shot in and around Salt Lake City.

In addition to emerging talent, the festival will feature films with prominent actors such as Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Thing with Feathers" and Jennifer Lopez in "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Tsiokos acknowledged the draw of star power but stressed the importance of balance.

“We love seeing films with big names because they draw attention, but it’s equally important to break new talent,” he said.

Reflecting on his role, Tsiokos shared what excites him most about the festival.

“I love my job. I love finding these stories, and I love talking about them with my colleagues,” he said. However, the true magic happens when the films meet their audience. “They come to life when they are on the stage, when the filmmaker is there to introduce the film, share it with the audience, answer questions afterwards. That experience of the festival is what I most look forward to.”

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival promises a celebration of storytelling that reflects the diversity and creativity of its filmmakers.

As Tsiokos put it, “the festival is about discovering fresh perspectives and sharing them with audiences, whether in Utah or beyond.”

Sundance festival passes are available now and single-film tickets will be available beginning January 16 at https://festival.sundance.org.