Once again, the indie darlings of the Sundance Film Festival are upping sticks from the chilly climes of Park City, Utah to the only slightly less chilly climes of London, England. The latest British incarnation of the world’s biggest independent returns to the plush interiors of Picturehouse Central this summer, and the line-up has just been announced.
Fourteen feature films will screen across the four-day programme, all coming directly from this year’s main Sundance event in Utah. Miguel Arteta’s Beatriz at Dinner, which sees Salma Hayek interrupt a wealthy dinner party, will open proceedings on 1 June. The closing night film on 4 June will be the UK premiere of David Lowery’s hotly-tipped exisential drama A Ghost Story, starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.
Director David Lowery will also participate in an ‘In Conversation’ event (presented by your pals here at Empire magazine), followed by a screening of his superb 2013 drama Aint’ Them Bodies Saints. Lowery – who also directed last year’s Pete’s Dragon – is one of the most exciting voices in independent cinema, so this must not be missed.
Other highlights include The Big Sick, a comedy based on the real-life courtship of Silicon Valley comedian Kumaij Nanjani; the UK premiere of Dave Bautista action thriller Bushwick, which imagines an American civil war where Texas attempts to secede; and Wilson, a dramedy from a script by cartoonist Daniel Clowes about a misanthropic middle-aged man played by Woody Harrelson.
Also, for the first time, the Sundance Film Festival: London will be taking a leaf out of the book of fellow festivals like the London Film Festival by offering a ‘Surprise Film’. Patrons will buy their tickets blind and the title will only be revealed when the opening credits roll. All organisers will say is that it was “a favourite among audiences in Utah”.
Plus, there’s a short film strand, special events, panels, and more. Sundance Film Festival: London runs at the Picturehouse Central from 1-4 June; festival passes and VIP passes are on sale now, with priority ticket booking open to Picturehouse members. General ticket booking and individual tickets go on sale from 5 May. Head to the Picturehouse website for more details.