David D'Arcy

Directors Robert May and Barry Levinson preview the 5-part episodic series "Bucks County, USA." Evi and Vanessa, two 14-year-olds living in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are best friends despite their opposing political beliefs. As nationwide disputes over public education explode into vitriol and division in their hometown, the girls and others in the community fight to discover the humanity in “the other side.”

Oscar-winning filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov and producer Raney Aronson-Rath share the new film "2000 Meters to Andriivka." Amid the failing counteroffensive, a journalist follows a Ukrainian platoon on their mission to traverse one mile of heavily fortified forest and liberate a strategic village from Russian occupation. But the farther they advance through their destroyed homeland, the more they realize that this war may never end.

In "Coexistence, My Ass!," director Amber Fares highlights Noam Shuster Eliassi who grew up the literal poster child for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process before making a hard pivot to stand-up comedy and political satire. But as the region sinks deeper into devastating violence, she must meet the moment by challenging her audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter.

Directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni discuss their entry into the World Documentary Competition, "Cutting Through Rocks." As the first elected councilwoman of her Iranian village, Sara Shahverdi aims to break long-held patriarchal traditions by training teenage girls to ride motorcycles and stopping child marriages. When accusations arise questioning Sara’s intentions to empower the girls, her identity is put in turmoil.

Director Bao Nguyen and journalist Gary Knight tell how a two-year investigation uncovers a scandal behind the making of one of the most-recognized photographs of the 20th century. Five decades of secrets are unraveled in the search for justice for a man known only as “the stringer.” However, the Associated Press has conducted its own research, which "supports the historical account that Ut was the photographer. In the absence of new, convincing evidence to the contrary, the AP has no reason to believe anyone other than Ut took the photo."

"Prime Minister" provides an intimate view inside the political and private life of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, capturing her through five tumultuous years in power and beyond as she redefined leadership on the world stage. Directors Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz talk about the making of the film.

Bob Berney of Picturehouse Films, Richard Lorber of Kino Lorber Media Group and John Sloss of Cinetic Media share insights into the challenges and successes in the independent film industry, focusing on the Sundance-nominated films they represent. Topics include the impact of awards on film visibility, the evolving market for documentaries, the sustainability of Sundance in Park City and the importance of audience engagement through theatrical experiences and streaming platforms.

Directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev tell the story behind "Porcelain War," an entry in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.Under roaring fighter jets and missile strikes, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey choose to stay behind and fight, contending with the soldiers they have become. Defiantly finding beauty amid destruction, they show that although it’s easy to make people afraid, it’s hard to destroy their passion for living.

The impressionistic essay film “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” refracts the plot against Patrice Lumumba through a kaleidoscopic lens. Cutting between historical footage of the UN General Assembly and home movies shot in liberation-era Congo, weaving in a diverse set of perspectives, and setting the pace to a non-stop rhythm of bebop, rumba and classic jazz, director Johan Grimonprez evokes the euphoria of post-colonial possibility and the heartbreak of the dashed hopes and violent reprisals that would ensue.

Directors Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber detail their film "War Game," in which a bipartisan group of U.S. defense, intelligence, and elected policymakers spanning five presidential administrations participate in an unscripted role-play exercise in which they confront a political coup backed by rogue members of the U.S. military, in the wake of a contested presidential election.