Last Dance at Sundance (original) (raw)
As the fest wraps up its final year in Park City, The Hollywood Reporter dives deep with top filmmakers (Linklater! Coogler! Aronofsky!) in a decades-spanning oral history. Plus: Inside the puffer-filled premieres and parties — and the latest interviews, videos and breaking news from the 2026 lineup.
Cover illustrated and animated by cody muir
latest news
timeline
From Midnight Cowboy to Midnight Movies
The defining moments that turned Sundance into a proving ground for independent cinema
1978
Launch of Utah/U.S. Film Festival in Salt Lake City with retrospective screenings of Midnight Cowboy (above) and A Streetcar Named Desire.
1981
Festival moves to Park City.
1985
Sundance Institute assumes control of U.S. Film Festival and expands to 10 days. Award winners: Coen brothers’ debut, Blood Simple (above), and Jim Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise.
1989
Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape wins an inaugural audience award after winning the Palme d’Or, inspiring a new generation of indie auteurs.
1991
Fest is renamed the Sundance Film Festival, and organizers launch the Park City at Midnight and shorts program sections. Paris Is Burning wins the grand jury prize for documentary.
1992
Quentin Tarantino debuts Reservoir Dogs.
1998
Renovation of Main Street’s crown jewel, the Egyptian Theatre, with a new marquee, and introduction of the 1,300-seat Eccles Theater.
2001
Launch of the Sundance Online Film Festival playing the best in new short films and retrospective work specifically created for the web. Hedwig and the Angry Inch wins an audience award.
2008
Introduction of world cinema jury prizes for directing, editing, cinematography and screenwriting. Courtney Hunt’s Frozen River starring Melissa Leo earns the grand jury prize.
2021
The COVID-19 pandemic forces launch of digital festival for the first time via a custom-designed online platform alongside screenings at local cinemas and arts organizations across the U.S. It tripled attendance, with audiences from all 50 states and 120 countries.
timeline
From Midnight Cowboy
to Midnight Movies
The defining moments that turned Sundance into a proving ground for independent cinema
1978
Launch of Utah/U.S. Film Festival in Salt Lake City with retrospective screenings of Midnight Cowboy with Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman (above) and A Streetcar Named Desire.
1981
Festival moves to Park City.
1985
Sundance Institute assumes control of U.S. Film Festival and expands to 10 days. Award winners: Coen brothers’ debut, Blood Simple, and Jim Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise.
1989
Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape wins an inaugural audience award after winning the Palme d’Or, inspiring a new generation of indie auteurs.
1991
Fest is renamed the Sundance Film Festival. Organizers launch the Park City at Midnight and shorts program sections. Paris Is Burning wins the grand jury prize for documentary.
1992
Quentin Tarantino debuts Reservoir Dogs.
1998
Renovation of Main Street’s crown jewel, Egyptian Theatre, with a new marquee, and introduction of the 1,300-seat Eccles Theater.
2001
Launch of the Sundance Online Film Festival playing the best in new short films and retrospective work created for the web. Hedwig and the Angry Inch wins an audience award.
2008
Introduction of world cinema jury prizes for directing, editing, cinematography and screenwriting. Courtney Hunt’s Frozen River starring Melissa Leo earns the grand jury prize.
2021
The COVID-19 pandemic forces launch of digital festival for the first time via a custom-designed online platform alongside screenings at local cinemas and arts organizations across the U.S. It tripled attendance, with audiences from all 50 states and 120 countries.
reviews
in their own words: Hollywood’s biggest directors on sundance
in their own words
Hollywood’s biggest directors on sundance
“When I got pregnant, in my very first doctor’s appointment, one of my first questions was: ‘If my movie gets into Sundance, will I be able to go?’ ”
Marielle Heller
**“In November 1993, when I said, ‘Oh my God, I got into Sundance!’ people were like, ‘What is that?’ ”
Kevin Smith
“I introduced the movie and went to the back of the theater. As the lights went down, I started to cry — not just tears but really sobbing.”**
Zach Braff
“Sundance has never been more important because independent film is in crisis. … We need community and we need new possibilities.”
Lauren Greenfield
“There’s no greater gift you can give your mom than 10 minutes with Bob Redford.”
Ed Burns
“Michelle Satter told me she was proud of me. I remember that vividly. She don’t bullshit, bro — she don’t lie. She said, ‘I’m so proud of you.’ ”**
Ryan Coogler
“I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I am today without Sundance, and there are many people who would say the same.”
Todd Field
“Sundance is a pressure cooker that can be really thrilling but also really humbling.”
Daniel Kwan
**“Joel Coen and Frances McDormand sat in the row in front of me. When the movie ended, Fran stood up, turned around and said, **‘Good job, kid.’ ”
Karyn Kusama
“All the other shit falls away when the lights go down and a new movie, an unknown quantity, starts to play.”**
John Sayles
photos
Snow-Stoppers: THR’s Sundance Studio
Channing Tatum, Charli xcx, Chase Sui Wonders, Domhnall Gleeson, Chris Pine, Jenny Slate, Dave Franco, Danielle Brooks and Cristin Milioti are among the stars who stopped by the Pendry Hotel space at the 2026 edition of the festival.
videos
over the years
Looking Back at _THR_’s Photo Studio
Every year, The Hollywood Reporter is on the ground in Park City to photograph the teams behind Sundance’s hottest films. Here, we round up some of the most memorable moments.
over the years
over the years
Déjà Review
Festival Classics
Festival Classics
_THR_’s original critics’ takes on grand jury winners, audience favorites and hidden gems
1994
Director: Kevin Smith
