Four Utah Film Center projects debut at Sundance 2025

SALLY by Cristina Costantini is among three other films aided by Utah Film Center's Fiscal Sponsorship Program to become an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by NASA.

SALT LAKE CITY — Four independent films supported by Utah Film Center’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program will premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, marking a significant milestone for the organization’s impact on global filmmaking.

The selected films—”FOLKTALES,” “Move Ya Body: The Birth of House,” “SALLY,” and “The Librarians”—will screen during the festival, which runs from January 23 to February 5.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for the filmmakers and their teams,” said Mariah Mellus, Executive Director. “It’s a huge moment for Utah Film Center too! Our mission includes supporting independent storytellers—and seeing these films thrive and premiere at Sundance really shows how we’re making an impact in the global film community.”

The Fiscal Sponsorship program, established by award-winning producer and Utah Film Center founder Geralyn White Dreyfous, enables board-approved projects to use the center’s non-profit status for tax-deductible donations. It provides an alternative to self-funding.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to work with filmmakers from so many different backgrounds,” said Frank Bennett, Fiscal Sponsorship Manager. “Our program takes the financial stress out of the equation so they can focus on making their films.”

Featured Films at Sundance 2025

• FOLKTALES: Directed and produced by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, this film follows teenagers at a folk high school in Arctic Norway, exploring themes of self-reliance and connection through survival skills and sled dog care.
• Move Ya Body: The Birth of House: Directed by Elegance Bratton, this documentary charts the rise of house music in Chicago, led by Vince Lawrence, whose work transcended segregation and reshaped the music world.
• SALLY: Directed by Cristina Costantini, this film delves into the dual life of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, examining her private relationship with her partner and her public struggles with sexism and homophobia.
• The Librarians: Directed by Kim A. Snyder, this documentary spotlights librarians resisting book bans across the U.S., highlighting their fight for intellectual freedom and democracy.

Since 2008, the Utah Film Center has facilitated over $18 million in donations for independent filmmakers worldwide. In 2024 alone, the program supported 76 new projects, including 29 based in Utah.

Utah Film Center directly served nearly 30,000 Utahns in 2024 through education, film exhibition, and artist support, reaching a broader audience of 750,000 statewide through its programs.