13 Films Poised to Ignite Bidding Wars

As Sundance Film Festival approaches, anticipation builds for an exciting array of films that could spark intense bidding wars. This year’s lineup features a blend of star-studded casts, innovative documentaries, and diverse genre films that have the potential to captivate mainstream audiences. Distributors are likely to compete fiercely for these standout projects, especially as Sundance wraps up its memorable legacy in Park City.

13 Films Poised to Ignite Bidding Wars at Sundance

Here are thirteen films that festival buyers should keep on their radar:

• Buddy

  Cast: Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan Michael-Key, Michael Shannon

  Director: Casper Kelly

  Sales Agent: UTA, Range

  This dark comedy imagines a twisted version of a children’s show. A group of friends must escape a menacing setting that resembles “Sesame Street.”

• Carousel

  Cast: Chris Pine, Jenny Slate

  Director: Rachel Lambert

  Sales Agent: CAA, WME

  A romantic comedy exploring middle-aged life, where a doctor reconnects with a high school sweetheart. Their chemistry is expected to shine.

• Chasing Summer

  Cast: Iliza Shlesinger, Garrett Wareing, Megan Mullally

  Director: Josephine Decker

  Sales Agent: UTA, Cinetic

  This film features a disaster relief worker returning home to Texas, set against a backdrop of humor and romance.

• Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass

  Cast: Zoey Deutch, Ben Wang, John Slattery, Jon Hamm

  Director: David Wain

  Sales Agent: WME

  A meta-comedy about a woman seeking her celebrity crush after her fiancé meets his own hall pass.

• The Gallerist

  Cast: Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Sterling K. Brown

  Director: Cathy Yan

  Sales Agent: MRC

  Portman stars as a gallerist striving to sell art featuring a corpse during Miami’s Art Basel.

• Hanging By a Wire

  Director: Mohammed Ali Naqvi

  Sales Agent: CAA

  A gripping documentary showcasing eight passengers stranded in a cable car after it falls from its tether.

• I Want Your Sex

  Cast: Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Charli xcx

  Director: Gregg Araki

  Sales Agent: CAA

  This provocative narrative tackles themes of sexuality and power dynamics between an older woman and a younger man.

• The Invite

  Cast: Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton

  Director: Olivia Wilde

  Sales Agent: UTA, FilmNation

  A relationship drama featuring a chaotic dinner party, showcasing Wilde’s directorial skills in a remake of a Spanish film.

• Josephine

  Cast: Channing Tatum, Mason Reeves, Gemma Chan

  Director: Beth de Araújo

  Sales Agent: CAA, WME

  A deeply emotional story revolving around a traumatic incident and its aftermath. Tatum seeks to impress with his dramatic performance.

• Nuisance Bear

  Directors: Gabriela Osio Vanden, Jack Weisman

  Sales Agent: Submarine

  This documentary addresses the ecological impact of tourism on polar bears in Manitoba, examining conflicting interests around wildlife conservation.

• Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

  Directors: Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley

  Sales Agent: WME, UTA

  This documentary chronicles Bamford’s mental health journey, showcasing her unique comedic perspective.

• Troublemaker

  Director: Antoine Fuqua

  Sales Agent: WME, LBI Entertainment

  A documentary detailing Nelson Mandela’s struggle against apartheid through personal recordings. It offers a rare glimpse into his legacy.

• Union County

  Cast: Will Poulter, Noah Centineo

  Director: Adam Meeks

  Sales Agent: WME, 2AM

  Poulter delivers a poignant performance as a man navigating a rehabilitation program, set to evoke deep emotional responses from viewers.

These films reflect the diverse and dynamic landscape of independent cinema, proving that Sundance continues to fuel creativity and competition in the film industry. Expect to see many of these titles headlining discussions as buyers gear up for bidding wars at Filmogaz.com.