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I’m often asked what my festival schedule looks like and how many films do I screen. It’s not easy to answer because my schedule is often complicated, and I’m never sure how many films I will get a chance to screen using my press credentials, or if I happen to secure a ticket to a public screening, or if I join the waitlist for a film and get in. Therefore, scheduling is a huge organizational process that requires hours of time to comb through film write-ups, public screenings schedules, press and industry film schedules, and other events such as panels, talks, conversations, and music gigs, often put on by the festival sponsors.
I try to participate in a variety of events to have a well-rounded festival coverage. I believe it’s more attractive to have a balanced coverage of themes and ideas. Aside from being excited about what I will screen and experience, I also come to a festival filled with anticipation.
I outline my tentative schedule before the festival begins but what I look forward to is the unexpected; I call this moment “a surprise discovery.” This could be about a film or an encounter with people, it’s something not planned. Something that’s fun, invigorating, and what often stirs reflection. This puts a smile on my face.
The Sundance Film Festival 2025 film lineup garnered several incredible stories for the silver screen. In addition to film watching, listening to Q&A sessions, and attending talks with actors and filmmakers, what invigorates me is the people I meet and the conversations that I get into while waiting for an event. Here are just a few examples of my unexpected happenings.
Press Reception
Prior to Day 1 of the Sundance Film Festival, an evening reception at the Filmmakers Lodge on Main Street was held for the press. It was here that I connected with a variety of press people, festival staff and local journalists from the Park City Record, (it is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Utah), some of whom I had met years prior and others for the first time. The reception began with a “meet and greet” followed by an official welcome from the festival lead team, comments about certain films, and addressing the “elephant in the room”—the new home for the Sundance Film Festival beginning January 2027. The only reference made was that the final decision had not been made and to stay tune.
Sundance Film Festival Day 1
The first film to be screened at the largest theater in Park City known as the Eccles Theater was at twelve noon called MARLEE MATLIN: NOT ALONE ANYMORE. I had a hard ticket for this film and chose to get to the screening early to make sure I was waiting inside the heated tent due to the freezing cold weather. I stood in line for over an hour with a film fan, Craig Winger. He was attending solo on this day, but later in the week he and his wife Shannon would attend films in Salt Lake City, closer to their residence.
Directly following this first screening, at the Eccles Theater, a film called JIMPA would screen. The hard tickets for this had been sold-out weeks earlier. Craig and I had no tickets but wanted to attend and would try to waitlist. While talking about it, we decided to check the ticket availability through our festival app. To our surprise, tickets were available. We each immediately jumped at the chance to secure a ticket and got it! Two minutes later, the film was sold out. Craig and I both smiled broadly at this rare occurrence. It was a “surprise discovery” and a wonderful way to start the festival on a beautiful, bright, sunny, and freezing cold day!
Sundance Film Festival Day 2 - A talk scheduled at the Filmmakers Lodge with Steve Yuen (BUBBLE & SQUEAK) and Olivia Colman (JIMPA) was on my schedule. While standing in line for this event, in the freezing cold, I met a filmmaker, Noah. Though not shopping-around his current project TRADING RACES, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him explain his culturally relatable and creative storyline. And we conversed about other topics.
Once inside the warm holding room, Noah and I stood next to three colleagues from Angel Studios from Provo, Utah. We learned a lot about their company, mission, and the art of using a different entertainment model. Noah was interested in connecting more with them about his film. I inquired about the option to screen their films and submit reviews. Noah and I discovered that by using our industry skills there could be possible options to pursue within their business model. A “surprise discovery”!
Tiffany Knowlton, her mom, and the rest of their group were at the festival again this year—I featured them in my 2024 festival coverage. I sat with them in the talk mentioned above. When I viewed their line-up of films, I knew I probably would not see them for the rest of the festival as they would be on the go screening at least twenty films during their stay. The talk was their only event for the day so that they could recoup from the early morning flight, do some shopping, and chill before the rest of their comrades arrived. They share some of the highlights they experienced:
A few years ago, they met a Sundance volunteer who mentioned a book, (“Read This for Inspiration—Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life” by Ashly Perez), that had changed her life. Tiffany’s mom has given the book to many people as a gift. Their surprise discovery was that they met up with this Sundance volunteer again this year and relayed the story of the book, thanking her for the recommendation.
Another special surprise was seeing Josh O’Connor in his latest film REBUILDING, screening at Sundance this year. They have followed his career since his film GOD’S OWN COUNTRY, watching his career blossom. An enlightening Q&A after REBUILDING gave them new insights into the film and his future projects.
A little R&R is always welcomed, in which Tiffany and her colleagues enjoyed a swim at the Utah Crater swimming hole, at the Homestead Resort in the Midway area, close to their Sundance accommodation.
Gabrielle Kardon (scientist, journalist, and filmmaker), Kristen Kohlwey (writer and artist), and I were all given early entrance to the panel discussion for the film SALLY in support with NASA, because we were waiting with Gabrielle as the festival team was anticipating her arrival. A “surprise discovery” for Kristen and me! It’s not what you know, it’s who you know! :)
The space program was very proud to announce the production of their new TV series called “Irrational”, streaming in 2025. Scientist Gabrielle Kardon being a research scientist and a journalist for “Science Magazine,” worked with a few panelist members at this talk about the documentary SALLY. She was happy to connect with them afterward. Gabrielle shared with us that her short film was selected to showcase at Slamdance Film Festival 2025 called THROUGH THIN ICE. I was happy to be told this as I would be looking forward to screening and reviewing her film.
I never tire of talking with the volunteers at the festivals. They come from all walks of life and always have a story to tell of their volunteer service. This year Noah and I stood in line with Talya waiting to get into an event but after about twenty minutes we realized we would not gain entrance. We all gave up and went our different ways for the day. The following day, I stood in line for another talk about NASA and their tools to track asteroids. This group encompassed several people chatting about this ‘n that, including the disappointment about the Sundance Film Festival seeking a new home and the timeline to be in place by January 2027.
Time will tell regarding this decision but in the meantime, I’ll be on the lookout for more “surprise discoveries” as the Sundance week progresses and report in.
