The cultural obsession wiht accused killer Luigi Mangione and a new project co-directed by NBA superstar Steph Curry are among the short film selections at next month’s Sundance Film Festival.
The Sundance Institute revealed today all 54 shorts selected for the festival that will screen in programs presented by Ketel One Vodka. The news comes on the heels of the feature-length and episodic selections announced last week.
The Mangione short, titled Luigi, comes from director Liza Mandelup, who previously screened Jawline at the festival. “When Luigi Mangione is charged with murder, he becomes the subject of fevered obsession,” reads the official Sundance description. “Through letters,fantasies and conspiracies,strangers turn Luigi into a cultural sensation and a canvas for their rage,desire and misplaced hope.”
Curry, who was the subject of the Apple original film Underrated which screened at Sundance, teamed with two time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot to direct The Baddest Speechwriter of All. “Now 93, martin luther King Jr.’s lawyer and speechwriter reflects on the personal cost and surprising truths of making history,offering an intimate insider’s view of the Civil Rights Movement,” reads the fest description referencing Dr. Clarence B.Jones.
Another selection from the nonfiction category will investigate the aftermath of January’s catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles. Still Standing,from directors and producers Victor Tadashi Suarez and Livia Albeck-Ripka,focuses on Altadena,where the Eaton Fire destroyed nearly 10,000 structures,spared others and left toxic ash in it’s wake. The tragedy left residents with the “impossible decision of whether they should risk their health to return home.”
Of the selections Sundance director of programming Kim Yutani said, “Each one is a testament to the creative talent working in the short film space, proving that powerful storytelling is impactful across formats. This year’s program is rich with explorations of belonging, resilience and the unexpected ways people navigate both the everyday and the extraordinary.”
New Films Premiering at Series Mania
Crisis Actor / U.S.A. (Director, screenwriter and producer: Lily Platt; producers: Sophie Seyd, Alex Bendo, Lexi Preiser) – Fired from her day job, an impulsive actress crashes a support group and spirals into a chaotic night that forces her to face her addiction to drama. Cast: Sarah Steele, Philip Ettinger. World premiere. Available online for public.
Don’t Tell Mama / U.S.A. (Director, screenwriter and producer: Chloe Leigh King; producers: Shaka King, Daniel Croix, Meleokauaapuakea Hamasaki, Oona Roche) – A Montenegrin father takes his teenage daughter on an unforgettable dinner date. Cast: Uliks Fehmiu, Jordyn Jenkins. Available online for public.
Gender Studies / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jamie Kiernan O’Brien; producer: Kirsten Pasewaldt) – When a trans college student learns the girl she idolizes is sleeping with their teaching assistant, she takes drastic steps to emulate her. Cast: Jake Junkins, Fannie Massarsky, Austin Cassel. World premiere. Available online for public.
The Oracle / U.S.A. (Director, screenwriter and producer: JJ Adler; producers: Jon cohen, Jon Wolf) – When an atheist psychiatrist hypnotizes his con artist patient, a message from his long-dead twin emerges. It could be the perfect con, or it could be proof that reality is far stranger than he would like to admit. Cast: Kurt Fuller, Brandon Scott Jones, Luka Jones, Karen Maruyama. World premiere.
Pankaja / U.S.A., India (Director, screenwriter and producer: Anooya Swamy; producers: Nakirekanti Swamy, Archana Swamy, Vindhya gupta) – Pankaja, along with her daughter, Lalli, searches for her missing husband through the city slums of Bangalore to bring him back home. cast: Harshini Boyalla, Padmashree G. World premiere.Available online for public.
Prime / U.S.A. (Director, screenwriter and producer: Meagan Coyle; producer: Blake Winston Rice) – A trauma victim joins a utopian farming community only to find she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Cast: Katie Mumford, Anita Durst, Campbell symes, Jacob A. Ware, Mickey Sumner, Tim Heidecker. available online for public.
Radiant Frost / U.S.A. (Director, screenwriter and producer: Hannah Schierbeek; producer: Trenton Davis) – A drifter’s life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers a runaway member of a survivalist cult in the back of his truck.Cast: Eli Vidis newman, Taika augustaitis, heather Evans. World premiere. Available online for public.
Seniors / U.S.A. (director, screenwriter and producer: Adam
Short Films to Watch Online
Table of Contents
Here’s a look at several short films currently available for public viewing online, recently showcased at various film festivals:
Fruit (Buah) / Singapore (Director: Jen Nee Lim) – Set in a time and place where abortion is illegal, this film follows a woman’s desperate attempts to end her pregnancy and her eventual encounter with a mysterious bus driver. Starring Tysha Khan, Hana Nadira, and Wan ahmad. North American Premiere.
How Brief / Canada (Director: Kelly McCormack) – Inspired by the music of Connie Converse, this film depicts a woman’s final return to her childhood home in 1962, and a disappearing act that unfolds over one night. cast includes Tess Degenstein,Tatiana Maslany,Gray Powell,and Susinn McFarlen.World premiere. Available online for public.
I’m Glad You’re Dead Now / France, Greece, Palestine (Director: Tawfeek Barhom) – Two brothers confront a dark past and buried secrets when they return to the island of their childhood. Starring Tawfeek Barhom and Ashraf Barhom. Available online for public.
Ivar / Norway (Director: Markus Tangre) – A wife’s existential crisis is triggered by a subtle change in her husband’s scent. Starring Tone Mostraum and Robert Skjærstad. World premiere. Available online for public.
Jazz Infernal / Canada (Director: Will Niava) – A young Ivorian trumpeter, Koffi, arrives in Montréal seeking to connect with his father’s legacy and find his own voice amidst the city’s vibrant music scene. Cast includes Ange-Eric N’guessan, Alexis Belhumeur, and Kalombo Kasongo. U.S. Premiere. Available online for public.
The liars / Argentina (Director: Eduardo Braun Costa) – When one brother is arrested at a mall, the other must enlist the help of a stranger to pose as their father in order to secure his release. Starring Noah Roja, Filippo Carrozza, Esteban Bigliardi, Mariana Chaud, and Pablo Fusco. World premiere. Available online for public.
Marga en el DF / Mexico, U.S.A. (Director: Gabriela Ortega) – [Film description incomplete in source material].
film Highlights Available Online
Metal Head / U.S.A (Director: Eric Rivas, Producer: Tony DiMurro) – In 1981 in suburban Long island, New York, the mullets are long, the metal is heavy, and 14-year-old Douglas gets a birthday surprise that will change his life forever. Cast: Minnie Tonka, Alexei London, Carolyn London, Tony DiMurro. Available online for public.
The Bird’s Placebo / Tunisia (Director and screenwriter: Rami Jarboui; producers: Sarra Ben Hassen, Ramses Mahfoudh, Lotfi Mahfoudh) – In a marginalized Tunisian neighborhood, a young man in a wheelchair dreams of crossing the Mediterranean Sea until a surreal encounter shifts his path. Cast: Yassine Bardaa, Fatrma Falhi, Mohamed Hassine Grayaa. North american Premiere. Available online for public.
Busy Bodies / U.S.A (Director and screenwriter: Kate Renshaw-Lewis; producer: Eric Ackerman) – Tiny workers run a domesticated factory under the supervision of giant hands. This fantastically convenient at-home solution for disposable creation is absurdly inefficient and potentially an answer to the question of how we get rubber gloves. The timer is ticking.Available online for public.
Cabbage Daddy / Canada (Director, screenwriter and producer: Grace An) – When the mind of a bilingual child mirrors absurd translations, their poetic misinterpretations can accidentally produce multiple meanings – and create puns.Cast: Annette Hong Kim, Grace An, Daniel Heemang Cho, Oliver Lewis, Alex Shawki, Yusef Shawki Chu. World premiere. Available online for public.
Homemade gatorade / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Carter Amelia Davis) – A woman embarks on a road trip to deliver her creamy homemade sports drink to a mysterious online buyer.Cast: Lauren Davis, Carter Amelia Davis, spencer Hawk, Alosha Robinson, Connett Croghan.Available online for public.
Hugs / belgium (Director, screenwriter and producer: nicolas Fong) – A ride on a bike’s luggage rack is a sensory roller coaster through a land full of cuddles. North American Premiere. Available online for public.
Living with a Visionary / U.S.A. (Director, screenwriter and producer: Stephen P. Neary; producer: Mireia Vilanova) – After 50 years of marriage, John must care for his wife while learning to live alongside her vivid hallucinations. cast: James Cromwell, Katherine LaVictoire. World premiere. Available online for public.
Mangittatuarjuk (The Gnawer of Rocks) / Canada (Director, screenwriter, producer: Louise Flaherty; screenwriter: Neil Christopher) – Two young women are trapped in the lair of the Mangittatuarjuk, the Gnawer of Rocks. The young women and their village use the teachings of the elders to try to defeat the monster.*Cast: Nellie Enuaraq, Joan.
sundance Film Festival Announces 2025 Short Film Slate
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival has unveiled its lineup of short films, showcasing emerging talent and compelling storytelling. the program includes both themed selections and a curated legacy program, offering a diverse range of cinematic experiences. Several films will be available to view online for the public.
New Short Film Selections
The festival’s short film selections cover a variety of genres and themes, highlighting the innovative work of filmmakers from around the globe.
Documentary Shorts:
* Standing / U.S.A. (Directors and producers: victor tadashi Suarez, livia Albeck-Ripka) – This documentary focuses on the aftermath of the January 7, 2025, Eaton fire in Altadena, California. The fire destroyed over 9,000 structures, and many more were contaminated with toxic ash, leaving residents with the arduous choice of whether to return home and risk their health. https://www.sundance.org/
* Tuktuit: Caribou / Canada (Director, screenwriter and producer: Lindsay Aksarniq McIntyre) – This film explores the interconnected relationship between Inuit communities, caribou, lichens, and land use. Utilizing a unique caribou gelatin emulsion technique, the film visually represents the challenges caribou face due to burn events and habitat disruption. https://www.sundance.org/
Park city Legacy Short Film Program
The Park City legacy Short Film Program is a curated selection of shorts from past Sundance film Festivals. Hosted by Joey Soloway, known for their work on the acclaimed series Clear, this program celebrates the festival’s history and the filmmakers it has championed. The full roster of films for this program is yet to be announced. https://www.sundance.org/
Sundance Film Festival: A Platform for Emerging Filmmakers
The Sundance Film Festival has long been a crucial launching pad for autonomous filmmakers. The short film programs, in particular, provide a platform for showcasing new voices and innovative storytelling techniques. The festival’s commitment to accessibility, with several films available online, further expands its reach and impact.
Key Takeaways:
* The 2025 Sundance Film Festival includes a diverse selection of short films.
* Documentary shorts like Standing and Tuktuit: Caribou address timely and meaningful issues.
* The Park City Legacy Short Film Program celebrates the festival’s history and alumni.
* several films will be available for public viewing online.
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival promises to be a compelling showcase of independent cinema, and the short film selections are poised to be a highlight of the event. As the festival unfolds, audiences can anticipate discovering new talent and engaging with thought-provoking stories.