The Sundance Film Festival announced two additional world premieres for its 2021 edition including one highly anticipated awards contender. Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah” and Ali El Arabi‘s documentary “Captains of Zaatari” will increase Sundance’s slate to 73 films representing 30 nations and 39 first-time filmmakers. A Warner Bros. release, “Messiah” becomes the second studio world premiere hoping for Oscar attention from festival-goers following Robin Wright’s “Land,” from Focus Features.
The 2021 Festival will run from January 28 to February 3 and will take place digitally via the institute’s custom-built online platform and on satellite screens across the nation, public health permitting. . Tickets for these additions are now on sale at festival.sundance.org.
Directed by King from a screenplay from King and Will Berson, “Judas” chronicles the true story of FBI informant William O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield) who infiltrated the Chicago chapter of the Black Panthers in 1967. O’Neal became close to social activist Fred Hampton (Daniel Kalyuua) while undercover and his intel led to a tragic betrayal. The picture will be released in theaters and on HBO Max (for 30 days) on February 12.
READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2021
In addition to the Sundance announcement, WB released a new trailer for ‘Judas,’ which you can see here:
“Judas” will premiere on Monday, Feb. 1 at 6:00 PM MT and screen simultaneously at theaters and drive-ins at 17 locations in 10 states across the country. Those venues are as follows:
THE PLAZA THEATER PRESENTED BY ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY
1049 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306
DAD’S GARAGE DRIVE-IN PRESENTED BY ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY
569 Ezzard St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30312
JOURDAN-BACHMAN PIONEER FARMS PRESENTED BY AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY
10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin, TX, 78754
SIDEWALK DRIVE-IN
1801 1st Ave. N., Birmingham, AL, 35203
SIDEWALK FILM CENTER AND CINEMA
1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL, 35203
SPOTLIGHT CINEMAS CAPITAL 8 PRESENTED BY THE LUMINAL THEATER
201 Columbia Mall Blvd, Suite 211, Columbia, SC, 29223
THE TEXAS THEATRE PRESENTED BY AVIATION CINEMAS
231 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75208
MOONSTRUCK DRIVE-IN PRESENTED BY HOUSTON CINEMA ARTS SOCIETY
100 Bringhurst St, Houston, TX, 77020
FILMSCENE AT THE CHAUNCEY
404 E. College St, #100, Iowa City, IA, 52240
THE SPEED ART MUSEUM
2035 S. 3rd Street, Louisville, KY, 40208
MALCO SUMMER DRIVE-IN PRESENTED BY INDIE MEMPHIS
5310 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN, 38122
RIVERVIEW THEATER PRESENTED BY FILMNORTH
3800 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55406
BELCOURT DRIVE-IN
2102 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212
THE LOFT OPEN AIR CINEMA
3233 East Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85716
ADMIRAL TWIN DRIVE-IN PRESENTED BY CIRCLE CINEMA
7355 E Easton St, Tulsa, OK, 74115
CIRCLE CINEMA
10 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK, 74104
STARLITE DRIVE-IN PRESENTED BY MAMA.FILM
3900 S Hydraulic Ave, Wichita, KS, 67216
Screening in the World Cinema Documentary Competition, “Zaatari” is an Egyptian documentary that centers on Mahmoud and Fawzi, two best friends trapped in Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan. The pair dream of escaping the camp by becoming professional football players. When a world-renowned sports academy scout visits the camp, they both have a shot at making their dreams actually come true. This is El Arabi’s feature directing debut.
“Zaatari” will premiere on Sunday, January 31 at 6:00 PM MT exclusively on the Festival’s digital platform.
The 2021 Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan. 28-Feb. 3. Look for complete coverage on The Playlist.