The 2025 Sundance Film Festival has announced the addition of two impactful documentaries, The Alabama Solution and The Stringer, to its premiere lineup, enhancing its already diverse slate of films. The festival is set to kick off on January 23, 2025, and run until February 2, taking place both in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Alabama Solution, directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, follows the gripping real-life tale of incarcerated individuals who bravely expose systemic cover-ups within one of America’s deadliest prison systems. Set to be released by HBO, the film embodies the kind of hard-hitting narrative for which Sundance is well-known.
Andrew Jarecki is no stranger to the festival or acclaimed documentary cinema. He gained prominence with Capturing the Friedmans, which premiered at Sundance and won the Grand Jury Prize. His work, which also includes the Emmy-winning series The Jinx, has consistently tackled complex societal issues, cementing his status as a significant voice in the documentary space.
Joining The Alabama Solution is The Stringer, directed by Bao Nguyen, another Sundance veteran who previously premiered Be Water and The Greatest Night in Pop at the festival. The Stringer spans two years of investigative work, unraveling the secrets behind one of the most recognized photographs of the 20th century. Through this film, Nguyen seeks justice for the man behind the lens, known only as 'the stringer,' and highlights the importance of authenticity in storytelling.
“Adding these two nonfiction features to our slate of documentary offerings at the Festival, both told by filmmakers who have been a part of our Sundance community for many years, completes our programming with compelling explorations around justice and truth-telling,” said Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming. This statement reflects Sundance’s dedication to showcasing works committed to exploring complex social themes.
The inclusion of these documentaries adds to the festival's existing lineup, which features notable works from celebrated filmmakers such as Questlove and Barry Levinson. Other highlighted narratives this year will focus on powerful figures including Marlee Matlin, Jeff Buckley, and Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.
Marking its return to Park City and Salt Lake City for the first time since the pandemic, Sundancers will have access to more than 88 projects overall. For the first time, over half of the feature programming will be available online, starting January 30, allowing audiences nationwide to engage and experience these films from home through festival.sundance.org.
The festival's shift to include hybrid accessibility reflects the changing nature of film consumption and the desire to reach broader audiences. With online viewing options, Sundance aims to invite viewers who may not have the chance to attend the festival physically, fostering greater appreciation for the art of documentary filmmaking.
This year’s festival promises to not just celebrate entertainment but provoke thought and offer insights as audiences engage with pressing societal issues highlighted by the films. With documentaries like The Alabama Solution and The Stringer leading the charge, Sundance 2025 is poised to deliver transformative narratives and highlight the importance of justice and truth within storytelling.