PARK CITY, Utah — The Sundance Film Festival has once again brought together several renowned documentary filmmakers to kick off its annual celebration of independent cinema in Park City, Utah.
On Thursday evening at The Ray Theater, Mstyslav Chernov, who won an Oscar last year for his film “20 Days in Mariupol,” premiered his latest work, “2000 Meters to Andriivka.” This film presents a gripping account of the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, offering viewers a stark look at the realities of war. Soon after, at the Eccles Theater, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who received an Oscar for his documentary “Summer of Soul” in 2022, showcased his new portrait of Sly Stone entitled “SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius).” Earlier that day, filmmaker Kevin MacDonald debuted his film “One to One: John & Yoko,” which originally premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year and is set for an IMAX release on April 11, followed by availability on Max later this year.
Critics expressed that “2000 Meters to Andriivka” surpassed its predecessor, “20 Days in Mariupol,” while “SLY LIVES!” has been described as both “sublime” and “illuminating,” shining a light on the life of an often underestimated creative force.
Thompson reflected on his long-standing connection with the festival, having attended since 2000, mentioning that he once dreamed of simply spinning records at the after-party. “This is really humbling,” he remarked, considering how far he has come since those early days.
The day began on a high note with a number of documentary Oscar nominations that had ties to the Sundance Institute. Some of these films were backed by the Institute, while others made their debut at the festival in recent years. “Black Box Diaries,” a poignant examination of a Japanese filmmaker’s experience with her own sexual assault, debuted at Sundance last year, receiving support from the Institute’s documentary film program. Similarly, “No Other Land,” created by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, benefited from the Institute’s film fund. “Porcelain War,” which portrays the struggles of Ukrainian artists during wartime, premiered at the festival in 2024 and won the grand jury prize, while “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” exploring the assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba in 1961, also premiered last year and was awarded a special jury prize. Finally, “Sugarcane,” which investigates abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school, made its festival premiere in 2024 and was also funded by Sundance.
Basil Tsiokos, a senior programmer at Sundance, highlighted the importance of these connections, stating, “It really emphasizes what Sundance contributes to the artistic community and our commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers.”
On the following night, filmmakers Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie of “Sugarcane” were slated to receive an award at the Institute’s fundraising gala, alongside newly nominated Oscar contenders James Mangold and Cynthia Erivo.
The support provided by the Sundance Institute can be crucial for budding documentarians seeking to realize their vision. Tsiokos acknowledged the challenging landscape for funding in non-fiction filmmaking, asserting that early backing from artist programs often serves as an endorsement. This can encourage additional investors to join the project, transforming initial concepts into fully realized films.
The attraction between the Oscars and Sundance is a long-standing one, particularly within the documentary genre. For 25 consecutive years, at least one film originating from Sundance has received an Oscar nomination. Notable winners include “An Inconvenient Truth,” “Man on Wire,” “Searching for Sugar Man,” “20 Feet From Stardom,” “Icarus,” “American Factory,” and “Navalny.”