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Sundance 2026: Buzzing Fest Highlights "The Invite" Success
30 Jan
Summary
- Olivia Wilde's "The Invite" sparked the first overnight bidding war in years.
- Filmmakers noted audience receptiveness to diverse programming like Indonesian film "Levitating."
- Sundance 2026 sales have significantly outpaced last year's festival.
- The festival is shifting focus beyond sales towards broader audience support.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival has seen an overwhelmingly positive reception to its programming, with directors Eugene Hernandez and Kim Yutani expressing satisfaction mid-festival. Hernandez specifically lauded Olivia Wilde's comedy "The Invite," noting its premiere generated the festival's first overnight bidding war in years, reminiscent of legendary Sundance moments. The film ultimately sold to A24 for an eight-figure sum.
Yutani echoed this enthusiasm, stating the programming team anticipated "The Invite's" success and were gratified to see the audience's strong reaction. Hernandez also highlighted the festivalgoers' openness to new work, citing Indonesian film "Levitating" from the World Dramatic Competition as an example, which has received standing ovations. This year's festival has also seen a significant uptick in film sales compared to the previous year, with four films already sold, indicating a vibrant market.
Beyond traditional sales, Hernandez pointed to Sundance's "widened aperture," engaging with programmers for other festivals, and impact partners focused on direct audience support for films. This strategic shift acknowledges evolving distribution landscapes, where PVOD and SVOD play crucial roles in a film's overall revenue. Discussions around the festival's future, including its move to Boulder in 2027, are ongoing, with further announcements expected soon.
