Credits Roll on Sundance Film Festival in Park City
Story by Aja Goare
After a family disagreement leads to the loss of their livelihood, a family leaves behind their simple lives in rural Kosovo to try and earn a living in the city. Thrust into a new world in which they are poorly equipped to survive, the family fights to make ends meet while imagining a better life. “Shame and Money” was the winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury prize at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, set in Park City, Utah for the final time before its move to Boulder, Colo.
The picturesque streets of the mountainous city were dusted in snow and ice for a finale event in January, when thousands of moviegoers flooded the small ski town. Founded by the late Robert Redford, the festival began in 1978 as the US Film and Video Festival and was rebranded in 1991 as the Sundance Film Festival. Over the years, the event evolved from a niche gathering of industry members to a full-fledged tourism event that drew over 85,000 people in 2025. Next year, the event will take place about 30 miles from Denver, where edible San Luis Obispo sister magazine edible Denver is located.
The festival is known for films that push boundaries, explore taboo subjects, showcase artistic expression and experiment with unique methods. It’s as much an incubator for art as it is a space for political discourse.
Dozens of viewers wiped tears from their eyes after watching “American Doctor,” which follows three doctors who dedicate their medical careers to saving lives and providing care in war torn Gaza. After the viewing, Director Poh Si Teng shared that the filming occurred during Ramadan so much of the crew were not only working in this dangerous environment, but they were away from their families during a holy time while abstaining from eating and drinking.
In “Bedford Park,” an unlikely meeting between a Korean woman and an adopted Korean man leads to loving connection despite their combative first encounter after a hit-and-run. Director and Screenwriter Stephanie Ahn revealed during the question and answer that she’d originally envisioned a white man for the lead, but was so taken by Son Sukku’s performance that she rewrote the part for him.
An unexpected loss in the life of a Japanese salsa dancer thrusts her into a visceral state of grief that ultimately leads her back to the dance floor – except now, she’s tiptoeing around some serious issues in her routine. “Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty” is a touching journey from tragedy through isolation and into self-rediscovery.
After the screening for “If I Go, Will They Miss Me,” lead actor J. Alphonse Nicholson emotionally thanked the audience for supporting Black art. The film set in the predominantly Black Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts offers a surreal view of family and challenges of loyalty, legacy and love.
The festival has become a star-studded event with lead actors, directors and producers attending and answering questions at the conclusion of their films. Actors Rob Lowe, Ethan Hawke and Olivia Wilde were spotted in the downtown area as they headed from one interview to the next. Hoot, an owl that’s appeared in over 100 films including the “Harry Potter” series, and handler Jeff Shelburg stopped along Main Street for photo ops with fans. The event is a rare opportunity for fans from cities big and small, far and wide, to interact with their favorite actors and it’s not uncommon to spot A-listers casually ordering a cup of coffee from a local café. That approachable nature of the festival is one of its many great allures, along with engaging popups that celebrate iconic films that debuted at Sundance, like “Little Miss Sunshine,” which celebrated 20 years with a yellow Volkswagen bus serving hot chocolate and mini donuts.
Though the event will undoubtedly take on a new form and persona in its move to Colorado, the creative soul of the festival lives on through the performers and fans who continue supporting film on the big screen. Be sure to visit the edible Denver website for tips on places to dine and drink at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder.
