The 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival included a satisfying mix of independent film stalwarts like Steven Soderbergh and Richard Linklater — plus plenty of bold new voices, too.
"You won't see us being too nostalgic ..." says festival director Eugene Hernandez. "The best way to honor the history of Sundance and the history of independent storytelling is by looking ahead."
The Sundance Film Festival returned in-person to Park City, Utah, this year, and with more submissions than ever. NPR's Aisha Harris screened nearly 20 films — these are her favorites.
The film festival went largely online during the pandemic. There were more than 16,000 submissions this year, and nearly half of the films featured are made by first-time filmmakers.