Main Street is seen at the start of the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo)
The Sundance Film Festival turned electric as Channing Tatum, Olivia Wilde, and Charli XCX premiered new films at the iconic Eccles Theatre in Park City. With packed screenings, overflowing waitlists, and standing ovations, the night became one of the festival’s most talked-about showcases.
Tatum Headlines Emotional Drama “Josephine”
The evening opened with Josephine, a deeply personal drama written and directed by Beth De Araujo. The film follows an eight-year-old girl whose world is shaken after witnessing a sexual assault, exploring trauma, fear, and the fragile search for safety. Tatum and Gemma Chan play her parents, struggling to guide their daughter through an experience they barely understand themselves.
The screening drew massive crowds, leaving hundreds on waitlists. The cast and filmmaker received an extended standing ovation during the post-screening Q&A. De Araujo revealed the story is inspired by her own childhood experience, adding emotional weight to the film’s Sundance debut.
Channing Tatum, from left, Mason Reeves, and Gemma Chan attend the premiere of "Josephine" during the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Eccles Center in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo)
Olivia Wilde’s Provocative Turn in “I Want Your Sex”
The tone shifted sharply with Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, a bold and colorful drama centered on a young man drawn into the orbit of an infamous art world provocateur, played by Wilde. Cooper Hoffman stars as the intern whose life spirals after an intense relationship with her character.
Araki described the film as a playful, sex-positive exploration of power dynamics, desire, and generational shifts in intimacy. He said flipping traditional gender roles helped challenge patriarchal tropes and reflect changing attitudes among younger generations. The film also touches on modern debates around sexuality and relationships, adding cultural relevance to its provocative narrative.
Charli XCX Steps Into Acting Spotlight
Charli XCX makes a supporting appearance in I Want Your Sex, surprising audiences with a role that contrasts sharply with her public persona. Araki said she personally asked to be part of the project and went through the same audition process as other actors. She filmed her scenes during a brief break from her Brat tour.
Festivalgoers also got a second dose of Charli XCX with the world premiere of her mockumentary The Moment, a self-referential film about a rising pop star. The film is set to hit theaters soon, extending her creative presence beyond music into cinema.
In this film still provided by Sundance Institute, Cooper Hoffman and Olivia Wilde appear in the film "I Want Your Sex" by Gregg Araki, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. (Sundance Institute via AP)
Indie Voices Shine at Sundance
Beyond star power, Sundance continued to spotlight emerging storytellers. William David Caballero’s mixed-media film TheyDream premiered earlier in the day, offering an intimate look at a Puerto Rican family processing grief through art. Co-writer and producer Elaine Del Valle described bringing the project to Sundance as deeply meaningful, especially in the festival’s final year in Utah.
A Night That Defined Sundance Energy
With packed theaters, emotional premieres, and daring themes, the night captured everything Sundance is known for: celebrity buzz, bold storytelling, and personal, risk-taking cinema. As the festival continues, the films debuting in Park City are already shaping early conversations about the year’s most exciting independent releases.
