This is a partial list of films shown at the Sundance Film Festival (called the Utah/US Film Festival in its earliest years and then the U.S. Film and Video Festival, before becoming the Sundance Film Festival in 1991).
1978 Dates: September 6 – September 12; Theme: "American Landscapes: Cycles of Hope and Despair"; stylized as the Utah-USFilm Festival.
Film name (English)Film name (Non-English)Directed ByWritten ByCategoryAwardsA Streetcar Named DesireElia KazanElia Kazan, Tennessee Williams, Oscar SaulRetrospectiveThe ApartmentBilly WilderBilly WilderRetrospectiveBaby DollElia KazanTennessee WilliamsRetrospectiveBadlandsTerrence MalickTerrence MalickRetrospectiveBushmanDavid SchickeleRegional Cinema CompetitionDeliveranceJohn BoormanRetrospectiveFlying LeathernecksNicholas RayRetrospectiveJohnny VikCharles NaumanCharles NaumanRegional Cinema CompetitionGirlfriendsClaudia WeillVicki PolonRegional Cinema CompetitionJury PrizeThe Left-Handed GunArthur PennRetrospectiveLocal ColorMark RappaportMark RappaportRegional Cinema CompetitionMartinGeorge A. RomeroGeorge A. RomeroRegional Cinema CompetitionMcCabe and Mrs. MillerRobert AltmanRetrospectiveMean StreetsMartin ScorseseMartin Scorsese, Mardik MartinRetrospectiveMidnight CowboyJohn SchlesingerRetrospectiveMy Darling ClementineJohn FordRetrospectivePat Garrett and Billy the KidSam PeckinpahRetrospectiveNext Stop, Greenwich VillagePaul MazurskyRegional Cinema CompetitionNot a Pretty PictureMartha CoolidgeRegional Cinema CompetitionPropertyPenny AllenPenny AllenRegional Cinema CompetitionThe Quiet ManJohn FordRetrospectiveRed RiverHoward HawksRetrospectiveThe ReiversMark RydellRetrospectiveRio BravoHoward HawksRetrospectiveSands of Iwo JimaAllan DwanRetrospectiveThe SearchersJohn FordRetrospectiveShe Wore a Yellow RibbonJohn FordRetrospectiveStagecoachJohn FordRetrospectiveSweet Smell of SuccessAlexander MackendrickRetrospectiveTrue GritHenry HathawayRetrospectiveThe Whole Shootin' MatchEagle PennellEagle Pennell, Lin SutherlandRegional Cinema CompetitionJury Prize
1979 Dates: October 26 – October 30; Theme: "Fear and Fantasy"
Film name (English)Film name (Non-English)Directed ByWritten ByCategoryAwards1988: The RemakeRichard SchmidtHonorable Mention—Independent Film CompetitionAgeeRoss SpearsRoss SpearsDocumentaryHonorable Mention—Independent Film CompetitionAmerican MadnessFrank CapraRobert RiskinRetrospectiveBadlandsTerrence MalickTerrence MalickRetrospectiveThe BirdsAlfred HitchcockEvan HunterRetrospectiveCapriceFrank TashlinJay Jason and Frank TashlinRetrospectiveCasablancaMichael CurtizRetrospectiveChameleonJon JostJon JostFinalist—Independent Film CompetitionCitizens' BandJonathan DemmeJonathan DemmeThe Day the Earth Stood StillRobert WiseRetrospectiveThe Demon SeedDonald CammellDirty HarryRetrospectiveDown in the ValleyMort RosenfeldMort RosenfeldDr. StrangeloveRetrospectiveEasy RiderDennis HopperPeter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Terry SouthernRetrospectiveEffectsJohn Harrison, Dusty Nelson, and Pat BubaFinalist—Independent Film CompetitionFamily PlotAlfred HitchcockFive Easy PiecesBob RafelsonRetrospectiveForbidden PlanetFred M. WilcoxRetrospectiveThe FrontMartin RittWalter BernsteinFun with Dick and JaneTed KotcheffDavid Giler, Jerry Belson, Mordecai RichlerGas CityJeff MeyersHonorable Mention—Independent Film CompetitionThe GoddessJohn CromwellRetrospectiveThe Golden Voyage of SinbadGordon HesslerHalloweenJohn CarpenterJohn Carpenter, Debra HillHow to Murder Your WifeRichard QuineRetrospectiveIn Cold BloodRichard BrooksRichard BrooksRetrospectiveThe Incredible Shrinking ManJack ArnoldRetrospectiveInvasion of the Body SnatchersPhilip KaufmanIt Happened One NightFrank CapraRetrospectiveIt's a Wonderful LifeFrank CapraRetrospectiveJason and the ArgonautsDon ChaffeyBeverley Cross, Jan ReadRetrospectiveThe Last Picture ShowPeter BogdanovichLarry McMurtry, Peter BogdanovichRetrospectiveLost HorizonFrank CapraRobert RiskinRetrospectiveMarnieAlfred HitchcockRetrospectiveMr. Deeds Goes to TownFrank CapraRetrospectiveMr. Smith Goes to WashingtonFrank CapraRetrospectiveNorthern LightsRob Nilsson, John HansenJohn Hanson, Rob NilssonFinalist—Independent Film CompetitionObsessionBrian De PalmaOver-Under Sideways-DownEugene Corr, Steve Wax, Peter GessnerEugene Corr, Peter GessnerFinalist—Independent Film CompetitionPlatinum BlondeFrank CapraRetrospectivePlay It Again SamHerbert RossRetrospectivePretty PoisonNoel BlackRetrospectivePsychoAlfred HitchcockRetrospectiveThe RavenRoger CormanRetrospectiveThe Seven-Year ItchBilly WilderRetrospectiveThe Seventh Voyage of SinbadRay HarryhausenKenneth KolbRetrospectiveSleeperWoody AllenRetrospectiveSome Like It HotBilly WilderRetrospectiveSpirit of the WindRalph LiddleRalph Liddle, John LogueGrand Prize—Independent Film CompetitionThe Stepford WivesBryan ForbesWilliam GoldmanRetrospectiveStraw DogsSam PeckinpahRetrospectiveSugarland ExpressSteven SpielbergRetrospectiveTargetsPeter BogdanovichRetrospectiveThe Thomas Crown AffairNorman JewisonRetrospectiveA Thousand ClownsFred CoeRetrospectiveTo Catch a ThiefAlfred HitchcockRetrospectiveWatermelon ManMelvin Van PeeblesRetrospectiveWonder ManBruce HumberstoneRetrospectiveYou Can't Take It with YouFrank CapraRetrospective
1980
1981 Dates: January 12 – January 18; Utah/U.S. Film Festival
Film name (English)Film name (Non-English)Directed ByWritten ByCategoryAwardsAmerica, Lost and FoundLance Bird, Tom JohnsonJohn CrowleyDocumentaryAmericanaDavid CarradineHenry Morton RobinsonDramaticA Small Circle of FriendsRob CohenEzra SacksDramaticThe Best ManFranklin J. SchaffnerGore VidalHenry Fonda RetrospectiveBreaking GlassBrian GibsonBrian GibsonDramaticThe Day After TrinityJon H. ElseDavid Peoples, Janet Peoples, Jon ElseDocumentaryEight Minutes to MidnightMary BenjaminDocumentaryThe Elephant ManDavid LynchChristopher De Vore, Eric Bergren, David LynchDramaticFade to BlackVernon ZimmermanVernon ZimmermanDramaticFeedbackBill DoukasBill DoukasDramaticFort ApacheJohn FordFrank S. NugentHenry Fonda RetrospectiveGal Young UnVictor NuñezVictor NuñezDramaticThe Grapes of WrathJohn FordNunnally JohnsonHenry Fonda RetrospectiveThe Haunting of MAnna ThomasAnna ThomasDramaticHeartlandRichard PearceBeth Ferris, William Kittredge, Elinore Randall StewartDramaticHide in Plain SightJames CaanSpencer EastmanDramaticImpostersMark RappaportMark RappaportDramaticThe Lady EvePreston SturgesPreston SturgesHenry Fonda RetrospectiveLA LA, Making It in L.A.Frank Mouris, Caroline MourisDocumentaryThe Life and Times of Rosie the RiveterConnie FieldDocumentaryMelvin and HowardJonathan DemmeBo GoldmanDramaticMr. RobertsJohn Ford, Mervyn LeRoyHenry Fonda RetrospectiveMy Darling ClementineJohn FordSamuel G. Engel, Winston MillerHenry Fonda RetrospectiveOff the WallRick FriedbergDick Chudnow, Rick Friedberg, Ron KurzDramaticOnce Upon a Time in the WestSergio LeoneHenry Fonda RetrospectiveOn the NickelRalph WaiteRalph WaiteDramaticOrdinary PeopleRobert RedfordAlvin SargentDramaticThe Ox-Bow IncidentWilliam A. WellmanLamar TrottiHenry Fonda RetrospectiveThe PlanDiane Orr, Larry RobertsDocumentaryReturn of the Secaucus SevenJohn SaylesJohn SaylesDramaticStony IslandAndrew DavisTamar Simon Hoffs, Andrew DavisDramaticTell Me a RiddleLee GrantJoyce Eliason, Alev LytleDramaticTuck EverlastingFrederick King KellerFrederick King KellerDramaticTwelve Angry MenSidney LumetReginald RoseHenry Fonda RetrospectiveThe War at HomeBarry Alexander Brown, Glenn SilberDocumentaryWhere the Buffalo RoamArt LinsonJohn KayeDramaticWind ChimesRobert HolmanBest Experimental FilmZootsuitLuis ValdezLuis Valdez
1982 Dates: January 17 – ?; Utah/U.S. Film Festival
John Ford Medallion: Stanley Kramer
Film name (English)Film name (Non-English)Directed ByWritten ByCategoryAwards5,000 Fingers of Dr. TStanley KramerStanley Kramer RetrospectiveA Lady Named BaybieMartha SandlinDocumentary CompetitionAmarillo News TapesDoug Hall, Chip Lord, Jody ProcterVideo Art CompetitionAn Acquired TasteRalph ArlyckSpecial Programs (Shorts)Artifacts: Pure and AppliedVideo Art CompetitionAtomic TelevisionTrent HarrisSpecial ProgramsBetween a Rock and a Hard PlaceKenneth FinkKenneth FinkDocumentary CompetitionBody HeatLawrence KasdanLawrence KasdanDirector's ShowcaseBoomingDennis LansonDocumentary CompetitionThe Case of the Legless VeteranHoward PetrickDocumentary CompetitionChott el-DjeridCarol BrandenburgVideo Art CompetitionClose HarmonyNigel NobleSpecial Programs (Shorts)The Complete Dale Hoyt, Vol. 7Dale HoytVideo Art CompetitionThe Crisco KidJeanne WolfJeanne WolfVideo Documentary CompetitionThe Curse of Fred AstaireMark BergerMark BergerDramatic CompetitionCutter's WayIvan PasserJeffrey Alan FiskinNew DirectorsThe Defiant OnesStanley KramerStanley Kramer RetrospectiveDon't Cry, It's Only ThunderPeter WernerPaul G. HenslerNew DirectorsThe DozensRandall Conrad, Christine DallRandall Conrad, Christine DallDramatic CompetitionDreamlandOz ScottNancy BakerDocumentary CompetitionElephant PartsWilliam DearSpecial ProgramsEl Salvador: Another VietnamGlenn Silber, Teté VasconcellosDocumentary CompetitionEnd of InnocenceStephen SeptSpecial Programs (Shorts)Frank: A Vietnam VeteranFred SimonVideo Documentary CompetitionGates of HeavenErrol MorrisDocumentary CompetitionGet Rollin'J. Terrence MitchellJ. Terrence MitchellDocumentary CompetitionGuess Who's Coming to DinnerStanley Kramer RetrospectiveHeartworn HighwaysJames SzalapskiJames SzalapskiDocumentary CompetitionThe HideoutBrian PatrickSpecial Programs (Shorts)How to FlyEd BowesVideo Art CompetitionIn Our WaterMeg SwitzgableDocumentary CompetitionI Remember BarbraSpecial Programs (Shorts)Killer of SheepCharles BurnettCharles BurnettDramatic CompetitionKnightridersGeorge A. RomeroGeorge A. RomeroNew DirectorsLove in a TaxiRobert SickingerMichael KortchmarDramatic CompetitionLove TapesWendy ClarkeVideo Art CompetitionMelanieRex BromfieldMichael Green, Richard Paluck, Robert Guza Jr.New DirectorsMissingCosta-GavrasCosta-Gavras, Donald E. StewartPremieresModelFrederick WisemanDocumentary CompetitionMystiqueBobby RothBeth SullivanDramatic CompetitionNo World for MenWilliam RosserShorts (Doc)On Golden PondMark RydellErnest ThompsonPremieresOutEli HollanderEli HollanderDramatic CompetitionPaydirtPenny AllenPenny AllenDramatic CompetitionPossum LivingNancy SchreiberSpecial Programs (Shorts)Raggedy ManJack FiskWilliam D. WittliffNew DirectorsReturn of the Secaucus SevenJohn SaylesJohn SaylesDramatic CompetitionSavage/LoveSam Shepard, Joseph ChaikenVideo Art CompetitionThe Sky Is GrayStan LathanSpecial Programs (Shorts)Soldier GirlsNick Broomfield and Joan ChurchillDocumentary CompetitionGrand Jury Prize: DocumentaryStrange FruitSeth PinskerSpecial Programs (Shorts)Street MusicJenny BowenJenny BowenDramatic CompetitionStrong-Willed Women Subdue and Subjugate ReptilesC. Larry RobertsSpecial Programs (Shorts)ThiefMichael MannMichael MannNew DirectorsTibetan Death RitesNorman DhyrenfurthSpecial Programs (Shorts)The Third CoastAlan Raymond, Susan RaymondDocumentary CompetitionTV: The Enchanted MirrorJulene BairSpecial Programs (Shorts)Union CityMark ReichertMark ReichertDramatic CompetitionWe Are the Guinea PigsJoan HarveyDocumentary CompetitionThe Weavers: Wasn't That a Time!Jim BrownDocumentary CompetitionThe Willmar 8Lee GrantThe Whole Shootin' MatchEagle PennellEagle Pennell, Lin SutherlandWolfenMichael WadleighDavid Eyre, Michael WadleighNew DirectorsZootsuitLuis ValdezLuis ValdezNew Directors
1983 Dates: January 17 – January 23; Utah/U.S. Film Festival