The Sundance Film Festival will begin in 10 days and six competitions are at stake. This morning, the Sundance Institute revealed the juries for the prestigious U.S. Dramatic Competition, U.S. Documentary Competition, and four other sections. Notable names include festival alumni such as Elijah Wood, Daniel Kaluuya, Reinaldo Marcus Green, and Celine Song.
READ MORE: Olivia Colman, Steven Yeun, Chloë Sevigny Set For Sundance 2025 Beyond Film Talks
The breakdown of the juries is as follows: Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Monsters and Men”), Arian Moayed (“Succession”), and Celine Song (“Past Lives”) for the U.S. Dramatic Competition; Steven Bognar (“American Factory“), Showtime executive Vinnie Malhotra, and Firelight Media executive Marcia Smith for the U.S. Documentary Competition; Ava Cahen, the Artistic Director of La Semaine de la Critique at Cannes, Wanuri Kahiu (“Rakifi”), and Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out”) for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition; Daniela Alatorre (“A Cop Movie“), former Participant executive Laura Kim, and Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland”), for the World Cinema Documentary Competition; Kaniehtiio Horn (“Letterkenny”), Vidiots Executive Director Maggie Mackay, and Kibwe Tavares (“The Kitchen”) for the Short Film Program Competition; and the one and only Elijah Wood for the NEXT section.
The jury for the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize deliberated ahead of the Festival and awarded the prize to SALLY, directed by Cristina Costantini. This jury includes Michael Almereyda, Nia Imara, Monica Lopez, Nicholas Ma, and Sam and Andy Zuchero.
In a release, Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming remarked, “We are thrilled to announce the incredible and accomplished group that comprise the 2025 Sundance Film Festival’s jury. “The jury plays a pivotal role in helping us recognize and amplify a new generation of storytellers, which is a crucial part of our work in independent cinema.”
The festival’s Director of Programming, Kim Yutani, added, “The jury will embark on an exciting journey to recognize the storytelling and artistic achievements that are a part of this year’s program. We are truly appreciative of their commitment and are looking forward to having them join us at the Festival.”
Last year’s U.S. Dramatic Competiton Grand Prize winner was “In The Summers” which has earned Independent Spirit Awards and Gotham Awards nominations. The U.S. Documentary Competition Grand Prize winner, “Porcelain War,” has won numerous accolades and made the Documentary Film shortlist for the 2025 Academy Awards. Notable Dramatic Competition Grand Jury winners over the years include “Minari” (2020), “CODA” ( 2021), “Whiplash” (2014), “Beasts of the Southern Wild” (2012), “Winter’s Bone” (2010), “Precious” (2009), and “American Splendor” (2003), among others.
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, January 27 through Sunday, Feb. 2. Look for complete coverage on The Playlist.
