Sundance Film Festival 2025 in the US Reveals Jury Members Across Competitions
The Sundance Institute has revealed the jury for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, set to take place in Park City, Utah, from January 23 to February 2. A total of 16 jury members, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives, will be responsible for selecting the winners in the festival’s various competition categories. Additionally, five jury members for the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize announced Cristina Costantini’s "Sally" as the winner ahead of the festival.
The festival begins with daily premieres in Park City from January 23 through January 28 and expands to include screenings in Salt Lake City until February 2. The Awards Ceremony, where competition winners will be revealed, is scheduled for January 31 at The Ray Theatre. Select competition-winning films will also be screened in-person on February 1 and 2. Festivalgoers will play a key role by voting for Audience Awards and the Festival Favorite film, which will be announced at the festival’s conclusion.
Among the distinguished jurors, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Arian Moayed, and Celine Song will preside over the U.S. Dramatic Competition. Green is known for his Oscar-nominated "King Richard," while Song made waves with her acclaimed debut "Past Lives."
The U.S. Documentary Competition jury includes Steven Bognar, director of the Oscar-winning "American Factory"; Vinnie Malhotra, Emmy-winning producer at Higher Ground; and Marcia Smith, co-founder of Firelight Media, which supports filmmakers of color.
The World Cinema Dramatic Competition will be judged by Ava Cahen, artistic director of Cannes Critics’ Week; Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, known for her Cannes-selected "Rafiki"; and Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya, whose credits include "Get Out" and "Judas and the Black Messiah."
In the World Cinema Documentary Competition, Daniela Alatorre, Laura Kim, and Kevin Macdonald bring decades of expertise. Alatorre is a producer with over 20 films to her credit, Kim is a marketing executive behind campaigns for Oscar-winning documentaries, and Macdonald is an acclaimed Scottish director and producer.
Elijah Wood, co-founder of indie production company SpectreVision, will serve as the sole juror for the NEXT section, while the Short Film Program Competition will be evaluated by Kaniehtiio Horn, Maggie Mackay, and Kibwe Tavares, each with a distinct background in acting, film programming, and directing.
The Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize jury, comprising Michael Almereyda, Nia Imara, Monica Lopez, Nicholas Ma, and Sam and Andy Zuchero, awarded this year’s prize to "Sally," directed by Cristina Costantini. The film explores scientific themes, a key criterion for the Sloan Prize.
Eugene Hernandez, Director of Sundance Film Festival, emphasized the significance of the jury's role, stating, "The jury plays a pivotal role in helping us recognize and amplify a new generation of storytellers." Kim Yutani, the festival’s Director of Programming, added that the jury will celebrate the diverse storytelling achievements featured this year.
The festival continues to be a key platform for independent filmmakers, showcasing global talent and innovative storytelling across various genres and formats.
Jury Members by Section
U.S. Dramatic Competition:
- Reinaldo Marcus Green
- Arian Moayed
- Celine Song
U.S. Documentary Competition:
- Steven Bognar
- Vinnie Malhotra
- Marcia Smith
World Cinema Dramatic Competition:
- Ava Cahen
- Wanuri Kahiu
- Daniel Kaluuya
World Cinema Documentary Competition:
- Daniela Alatorre
- Laura Kim
- Kevin Macdonald
NEXT Section:
- Elijah Wood
Short Film Program Competition:
- Kaniehtiio Horn
- Maggie Mackay
- Kibwe Tavares
Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize Jury:
- Michael Almereyda
- Nia Imara
- Monica Lopez
- Nicholas Ma
- Sam and Andy Zuchero
Additional Context: What You Need to Know
- Sundance Film Festival: One of the largest independent film festivals globally, it annually highlights fresh voices in cinema, with competitions in dramatic, documentary, and short film categories.
- Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize: Focuses on films that explore themes of science or technology, aiming to bridge the gap between art and science.
- Audience Awards: Festivalgoers attending in-person can vote for their favorite films, with results announced alongside jury selections.