Sundance 2018: Must-see movies and tackling the Hollywood sex abuse scandal
Hollywood paused its awards circuit and headed to Park City, Utah, for the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Amazon Studios brought four films that stood out in the lineup, including Gus Van Sant’s Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot. The John Callahan biopic featured Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Jonah Hill, and Jack Black in key roles. Phoenix also appeared in Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here, while Lauren Greenfield’s documentary Generation Wealth opened the festival with its portrait of materialistic American culture. Spike Lee’s adaptation of Antoinette Nwandu’s play Pass Over closed out the studio’s slate.
Van Sant’s Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot a “must see” at Sundance
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot premiered at the festival with mixed critical reception. The other Amazon titles also screened that year and drew attention for their range of subjects. The event itself ran from January 18 to 28 and marked an early stop on the year’s independent film calendar.
Tackling #MeToo and political turmoil at Sundance 2018
While Sundance founder and Oscar-winning director Robert Redford claimed last January that its festival executives “stay away from politics [and] don’t play advocacy”, it seems in the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and subsequent birth of the Time’s Up movement both will be hard to avoid. Variety reports on how the festival will tackle #MeToo & political turmoil and why, combined with previous Hollywood scandals, Sundance could become “the first fest where post-traumatic stress disorder is the unofficial theme.” The festival hosted dedicated panels and a respect rally that addressed sexual harassment and industry accountability. Those conversations contributed to broader industry shifts documented in later coverage.
Legacy of 2018 Sundance Films
The Miseducation of Cameron Post won the top U.S. Dramatic prize and addressed conversion therapy themes that resonated with the #MeToo moment. Other 2018 entries contributed to wider conversations on abuse and identity that continued after the festival closed.
Sundance's Role in Industry Accountability
Sundance implemented enhanced security and community discussions in 2018. The emphasis on women directors and safe spaces carried into subsequent years as part of sustained programming.
Sundance announces diverse lineup for this year’s jurors
Hot off the heels from the Girls Trip win at the NACCP Image Awards this week, Jada Pinkett Smith has been announced as one of the jurors at this year’s Sundance – looks like the actress will be doing some decision-making of her own. Smith will be joined by seven other jurors including Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer, producer Chaz Ebert, Garbage’s Shirley Manson, Emmy-winner RuPaul, actor Michael Stuhlbarg and Black Panther cinematographer Rachel Morrison. Overall a delightful hodgepodge of cinematic talent. The selection included one of the most diverse juries assembled at the time.
Diversity and Jury Evolution at Sundance
The 2018 jury featured multiple women and people of color across categories. Later festivals maintained and grew those representation metrics as part of ongoing efforts to expand participation.
Sundance Film Festival Relocation to Boulder
The 2026 edition marked the final year in Park City after decades at the Utah resort town. Sundance Institute labs remain in Utah while the main festival moves to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027.
