Sundance Film Festival 2026 has kicked off with a notably quieter acquisition market than years past, but two major deals have already broken through—including one that sparked a fierce, multi-day bidding war.
Of more than 90 films and series premiering at the festival, only about a dozen arrived with distribution already secured.
That leaves dozens of projects searching for homes, and if 2025’s sluggish market is any indication, filmmakers may be in for a long wait.
But two titles have already made waves, with A24 and Neon securing splashy pickups that signal strong buyer interest—at least for the right projects.
Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” Sparks Marathon Bidding War
A24 emerged victorious from what’s being described as an old-fashioned, late-night bidding war for Olivia Wilde’s third directorial feature, “The Invite.”
According to IndieWire, the competition stretched over 72 hours and included heavyweights like Neon, Black Bear, Netflix, Searchlight, Focus Features, and even Warner Bros., which jumped in at the last minute.
We’re also hearing that the final bidding got into the 8-figure range.
While other studios may have offered more money, Wilde reportedly prioritized securing a theatrical release—a commitment A24 was willing to make.
Star Power and a Twisted Premise
“The Invite” boasts one of Sundance’s most star-studded ensembles, with Wilde herself joined by Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz.
On paper, it’s about a dinner party from hell: a couple on the brink of divorce hosts another couple who happen to be polyamorous.
But festival audiences say there’s far more brewing beneath that simple setup, with layers of tension and psychological depth that elevate it beyond a simple dark comedy.
The screenplay comes from Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, based on 2019 Spanish film “Sentimental.” Megan Ellison and Annapurna produced—the same team behind Wilde’s debut feature “Booksmart.”
UTA Independent Film Group and FilmNation co-repped the sale.
Neon Grabs Queer Horror “Leviticus” in First Festival Sale
While “The Invite” grabbed headlines for its bidding frenzy, Neon actually secured the festival’s first sale with “Leviticus,” a genre-bending horror film from the Midnight section.
Director Adrian Chiarella’s feature debut tells a haunting queer coming-of-age story about two teenage boys fighting off a violent entity capable of shapeshifting into either of them.
Real Horror Meets Supernatural Terror
The film doesn’t just lean into supernatural scares—it draws from real-life horrors like conversion therapy, giving its genre framework emotional weight and cultural relevance.
Neon moved quickly, acquiring worldwide rights in a seven-figure deal and planning a release later this year.
Interestingly, “Leviticus” marks Neon’s second horror acquisition from Sundance 2026. The distributor also picked up another title from Alex Ullom, director of “It Ends.”
The cast includes Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zahra Newman, and Mia Wasikowska.
Films That Arrived With Deals Already Done
While most films are still hunting for buyers, several high-profile projects came to Park City with distribution locked in.
Focus Features: “The AI Doc”
Oscar winner Daniel Roher (“Navalny”) teams up with producer Daniel Kwan (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) for a deeply personal exploration of artificial intelligence.
The film follows Roher wrestling with whether bringing a child into an AI-dominated world is responsible, blending existential dread with cautious optimism.
A24: “The Moment”
Pop star Charli XCX plays an exaggerated version of herself in this mockumentary examining modern celebrity culture.
It’s one of three Sundance films featuring the “brat” singer, cementing her crossover into film.
Searchlight Pictures: “In the Blink of an Eye”
Pixar legend Andrew Stanton returns to live-action for the first time since 2012’s “John Carter.”
This ambitious triptych spans ancient times, modern day, and the distant future, exploring how hope and the circle of life connect across eras.
Netflix: “Queen of Chess”
Director Rory Kennedy follows a Hungarian chess prodigy breaking into male-dominated competitions—a film likely to resonate with fans of “The Queen’s Gambit.”
Shudder: “Saccharine”
Natalie Erika James (“Relic”) brings body horror to Shudder with this twisted tale of a woman who participates in a bizarre weight loss trend—eating human ashes—only to become possessed by demonic forces.
Midori Francis stars.
ESPN: Sports Documentaries
ESPN brought two major profiles: Alexandria Stapleton’s “The Brittany Griner Story,” exploring the basketball star’s detention and political controversy, and Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff’s “Give Me the Ball!” about tennis icon Billie Jean King’s hidden struggles with sexual orientation and eating disorders.
Nat Geo: “Time and Water”
Sara Dosa, whose “Fire of Love” broke out at Sundance previously, returns with another elevated nature documentary following an Icelandic writer eulogizing both a glacier and his grandparents.
PBS/Frontline: “One in a Million”
Filmed over 10 years, this documentary tracks a Syrian refugee girl’s journey from Syria to Germany and back again—an intimate portrait of displacement and resilience.
What This Means for Sundance 2026
Despite two splashy deals, the acquisition market remains cautious overall.
With fewer than 15% of films arriving with distribution secured, most filmmakers face uncertain prospects—and potentially long waits before deals close.
Still, the fierce competition for “The Invite” and Neon’s quick move on “Leviticus” prove that buyers remain willing to spend big on projects with star power, unique premises, or strong festival buzz.
As Sundance 2026 continues, all eyes will be on whether more bidding wars emerge—or if the market stays as quiet as last year’s notoriously slow affair.