The gang goes to Sundance 2025
What’s up with Sundance being up in the mountains?
Ever wonder why the Sundance Film Festival is held annually in snowy Park City, Utah? Well the Sundance Institute was founded by California-native Robert Redford and his team to provide a creative hub to “foster independence, risk-taking, and new voices in American film.” And how did a Cali-kid (or Sundance Kid, if you please) come to host the largest independent film festival in the US from a tiny, Utah, mountain town? You guessed it: a girl. Redford’s first wife was a Utah native and, although there are many other plot points to this story, all you need to know is that the Sundance Film Festival we know and love today — that now includes many amazing international categories and numerous films that oft go on to be nominated, and even win, Oscars — was founded on love of film and love of partner. And really, what’s more cinematic than that?
Why was Vimeo at Sundance 2025?
Though Vimeo proudly attends the festival every year, this year we had the honor of being the *blasts airhorns, flickers lights* official sponsors of the Sundance Short Film Program. More than 50 short films were screened online and in-person during Sundance 2025, and as sponsors of the program, it was our job to watch ‘em all. We also had the pleasure of hosting an incredible panel, interviewing some of our favorite Staff Picked creators, attending screenings short and long, and connecting with new and old friends within the film industry. A few of us even hit the slopes.
A ragtag team of film folks
We had a great deal of representation at the festival this year: members from the curation, social, video production, content, and HR teams showed up to Sundance to catch some films, network, catch more films, attend panels, catch MORE films, and, oh yeah, catch some films. To best capture the excitement of the whirlwind week that was Sundance, I asked my team to tell you about their favorite experience(s) — in their own words.
The Vimeo team's favorite Sundance moments
Official Sponsor of the Sundance Shorts Program
For the first time in Vimeo history, we served as the exclusive sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival Shorts Program. It was such an honor to support each short film at the beginning of what is bound to be an amazing journey on the festival trail. Watching every single film — all 57 of them! — and interfacing with filmmakers is a great joy our normally remote team shares together. For me, sitting in a dark theater taking in each story is as good of a time as hosting the official shorts party, and the celebration continues for the annual shorts tour starting this spring and hitting 70+ theaters worldwide. We’re so stoked for all of the filmmakers and their crews!
- Meghan Oretsky, Curation Manager
Your fav employee’s fav shorts
The Sundance Shorts Program is the holy grail for discovery, risk-taking, and unforgettable storytelling. This year’s program took us on a journey around the world and we’re so excited to bring some of our favorites to Vimeo in the coming months. Congratulations to all of this year’s Sundance award winners, especially Christopher Radcliff’s powerful “We Were The Scenery” — watch the trailer here — and Chheangkea’s heart-warming drama “Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites.”
- Ina Pira, Senior Manager, Curation
Craving even more Sundance shorts? Check out our unofficial Sundance festival favorites from 2024.
Screenings, panels, parties, oh my!
We hosted our very own panel
It's always a pleasure to hear our curation queens, Meghan and Ina, talk about what it takes to win a Vimeo Staff Pick. Once again they did not disappoint as they sat down for a chat with our very own Derick Rhodes, VP of Industry and Influencer Relations, during Vimeo’s “From Sundance to Staff Picks: How shorts break through the noise” panel. While there really isn’t a formula to make the ideal short film, they did offer four different parameters that they look for when selecting Staff Picks:
- Exceptional craft
- Engaging storytelling
- Originality
- Diverse perspectives
The main takeaway? Your film certainly doesn't have to get 10s across each category, as this is a democratic vote among our four-person Curation Team. Some films might be super strong in craft but not be the most polished story, and that’s ok! The Curation team consistently reminds Staff Pick hopefuls that the films that spark the most debate end up being part of their favorite workdays. So whatever type of film you make, make sure to have an opinion. Check out the full panel here.
- Reagan Murphy, Senior Writer, Content
…and a totally boring party that the building hosts surely didn’t have to chase us out of
One of my top Sundance highlights was the Short Film Awards Party hosted by Vimeo. Being in a room full of creative minds — some familiar and some new — who love short films was incredibly energizing. Celebrating their work, especially witnessing the joy of the winners, made the night really special. What a great way to end a great week.
- Heidi Jackman, Senior Social Media Manager
We watched Staff Pick alumni features
Another highlight of the festival was seeing Staff Pick alumni filmmakers release feature films to great acclaim. There were 20 features directed by Staff Pick alumni at this year’s festival, including six making their feature debuts.
Some favorites include the US Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic winner “Atropia,” that Hailey Gates adapted from her Staff Picked short, “Shako Mako.” Four-time Staff Pick recipient Cole Webley made his feature film debut with the heartbreaking “Omaha,” and Vimeo Staff Picks winner Charlie Shackleton’s hilarious deconstruction of the true crime genre, “Zodiac Killer Project,” won the NEXT Innovator Award.
- Beau Farrell, Curation Manager
We networked our thermals off
The bar was set high at my first ever film festival. Everyone I spoke with — from the one and only Jon Hamm to casual passersby — had, in some form, heard of Vimeo, and their passion for our work within the filmmaking community was apparent.
Vimeo’s sponsorship of the Sundance Shorts Program was covered by some amazing outlets, including: Indie Shorts Mag, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Park Record, and Derick was given the opportunity to discuss the emotional impact of the LA wildfires on indie filmmakers to Yahoo! Entertainment, stating, “In spite of what is happening, there is still so much zest and enthusiasm for the work of these creators that gives the industry this impervious feeling of hope.” Here's to keeping that hope and raising the bar again at Sundance next year!
- Frank Filiatrault, Communications Director
Supporting creators
We hosted creator spotlight interviews
We had the incredible opportunity to interview a handful of Staff-Pick alums during Sundance: Cole Webley, Aurora Brachman and LaTajh Simmons-Weaver, Alex Heller, Sofia Camargo and Joseph Longo, and Alex Qin. Four had films screening at the festival — three shorts and a first feature — and one, Alex Qin, is a Vimeo 2024 Breakout Creator. Alex is currently working with the Sundance Screenwriters Lab to turn her Staff-Picked short, Thirstygirl, into a feature film.
All of the filmmakers were so generous in sharing their insights on the highs and lows of making a film and debuting it at Sundance. It sounds sappy, but each interview felt so poignant and special. I left with my creative cup overflowing, and we can’t wait to debut these creator spotlights in the next few weeks. Watch this space!!
- Cooper Savage, Content Marketing Manager
And we’re launching a short film grant
With the current state of the industry and arts funding on everyone’s mind this year, we were excited to give festival attendees a sneak peek at our 2025 community plans, including an exciting short film grant program launching later this month. Five winners will receive funds, equipment, mentorship, and more to be put towards their next short film. Who knows, maybe we’ll be seeing them at Sundance 2026!
- Megan Costello, Curator
Roll credits
Congrats to all the Sundance filmmakers that premiered work at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Vimeo recognizes how much time, effort, and money goes into telling your stories via film and we are beyond grateful to help showcase them as sponsors of the Sundance Film Festival Shorts Program. See you next year, Park City!
