Multiple actors and directors whose movies premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival shared why they enjoy being in Utah for the festival and why they think it’s important.
“This is the best place to bring a movie into the world, you know, because it’s a place that’s just filled with love and support, and interest in movies that are unicorns,” Bill Condon, director of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” told the Deseret News at the press line for the film on Sunday night.
He said he uses the word “unicorns” to describe movies that are different. The director added that he enjoyed being able to go to the festival gala and see the incredible love for the institute.
One of the stars of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” actor Tonatiuh shared that this was his second time at Sundance.
“It’s just fun, it’s a bunch of film lovers all together,” Tonatiuh said. “It’s not super crazy glamorous in any sense. It’s just like you’re out here, you’re watching good shows. I enjoy it.”
Another cast member in Condon’s movie, Aline Mayagoitia, actually filmed her audition for “Kiss of The Spider Woman” while in Utah. At the time, she was in Salt Lake City while on tour with the musical ”Six.”
“So it’s like, such a weird thing that we happen to premiere at this festival and to be back here again with the mountains,” Mayagoitia said. “It makes you feel so humble to like, look through the blocks of Salt Lake City and see those big mountains. I love it here. There’s something magical about this place.”
Before the premiere of “Rebuilding,” the Deseret News spoke with the film’s director and members of the cast.
Max Walker-Silverman, writer and director of “Rebuilding,” said that he’s from a town similar to Park City just over the Rockies in Colorado.
Because of this, and having so many friends from around the world at this festival, he said being at Sundance is very comfortable for him.
“So it does really feel like home,” Walker-Silverman said. “Like this is kind of as comfortable and homey and familial as an environment as I could ever possibly have.”
One of the actresses in Walker-Silverman’s movie, Kali Reis, said she wishes she had been able to see more movies while at the festival. At the top of her list of movies she wanted to see there was “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”
Aside from that, she said she’s enjoyed the experience of the festival.
“Even just walking through Main Street and going from building to building, it’s just such a vibe. It’s been really fun. I’ve had a good experience,” Reis said.
Meghann Fahy, one of the stars of “Rebuilding,” said that aside from it being in a beautiful place, she thinks the festival is important.
“It’s an incredible film festival that really supports artistry in a way that I think is super important, especially now, and I’m really proud to be here,” Fahy said.