Column: An Aggie’s guide to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival

With fluctuating rumors of the Sundance Film Festival — which has called Utah home since 1981 — moving to a different state in the future, Utah State University may no longer have the festival so close to home. Thus, for the upcoming 2025 festival, I chose five films the Aggies may find worth a watch.  

“Omaha” 

The only film at Sundance this year to call Utah home, “Omaha” was filmed partially in Utah and its creators live here as well. Screenwriter Robert Machoian is a professor of photography at Brigham Young University — I implore you Aggies to set aside the BYU animosity just for the duration of this film — who fought for this script to be made into film after originally being turned down. The story follows a dad, his two kids and their golden retriever on a road trip after a family tragedy. Cole Webley directed his first full-length feature film in “Omaha,” which is bound to be a standout at this year’s festival.  

“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” 

With communicative disorders being one of the most popular fields of study for an Aggie, this documentary automatically stood out. It follows Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, who won her first Oscar at age 21 in 1987, becoming not only the youngest person to win the best actress category but the first deaf actor to win an Oscar. She also has notably starred in a film titled “CODA” — child of deaf adult— which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2022. Known as a trailblazer in her community, this documentary explores the life of the 59-year-old actress.  

“Sauna” 

Amidst HB261 and other rulings, many marginalized communities on Utah State’s Logan campus have come together in protests of the bill, especially Aggies who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This can be seen in previous coverage done by The Utah Statesman. The international film “Sauna” is said to challenge gender and societal norms in Copenhagen and may resonate with those who felt unseen this past legislative season.  

“Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)” 

For the Utah State summer sales “bro,” “Mad Bills to Pay” follows Rico, a homemade cocktail seller, for the summer on Orchard Beach in the Bronx. When his teenage girlfriend Destiny ends up staying with his family for the summer, his laid-back lifestyle comes to a halt. Although it may not capture the typical summer sales experience many Aggies find themselves in, “Mad Bills to Pay” is bound to have an impact on young adult viewers who are navigating life and love during the summer.  

“Rebuilding” 

When the family farm burns down, cowboy Dusty, played by Josh O’Connor from “Challengers,” must find a way to move forward. He ends up in a Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, camp and is separated from his family. It was filmed just next door in Colorado with agricultural ties that will hit home to not only an Aggie but to those throughout the western U.S. 

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival will be taking place in Park City from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2. More information on the 87 films that will be screening at this year’s festival can be found at Sundance.org.