How to Fest

At a Glance

Ticketing

Attend in Person

Watch Online

Accessibility

There are several different ways to watch films online. You can watch from your browser, on your TV, and with the Sundance Film Festival Player TV app. Below are some important guidelines around device compatibility, setup, and system requirements.

General System Requirements

We recommend watching the Festival with the following device/browser combinations:

  • PCs running Windows 10+
  • Apple Silicon or Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+
  • Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku device platforms using the Sundance Film Festival Player TV app
  • Android tablets and phones using Chrome
  • iPhone and iPads using Safari
  • Chromecast with Google TV or Chromecast stick 3rd generation+

Note: Due to content protection restrictions, screen mirroring cannot be used.

How to Watch on Your Browser

For information about online watch window start and stop times, please read How to Watch a Film Online.

Windows Computers

Watch on a Windows computer running Windows 10+. Make sure to use the latest version of your browser. Here is a list of supported browsers: 

  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Opera
 

Mac Computers

Watch on an intel-based Mac running macOS 10.12 or later. Make sure to use the latest version of your browser. Here is a list of supported browsers: 

  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Opera
 

Important: iCloud Private Relay must be turned off (disabled) to watch; iCloud Private Relay is a security feature on devices running macOS Monterey (version 12) and later that is not compatible with the Sundance Film Festival Player. To turn off Private Relay, go to: Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > Private Relay.

How to Watch on Your Television

You can stream from your computer, mobile device, or browser to your TV through a wireless cast with Apple TV, Chromecast (3rd generation or later), or AirPlay. 

App Features
  • Access films you’ve made ticket selections for and/or have Single Film Tickets to
  • Browse and watch your content via Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon FireTV
  • Chromecast or Airplay content using your computer or phone with supported devices

Important: Make purchases (i.e., tickets and merch) using your Festival account via the 2025 Festival online platform; this action cannot be completed using the apps.

Please note that screen mirroring on Smart TVs and devices cannot be used to watch this year’s Festival. In addition, you cannot register your Festival account or watch films on multiple devices (i.e., you can’t watch on both Apple TV and Amazon FireTV). Visit our How to Watch resources for more information about in-person and online Festival screenings.

Casting to Your TV

Make sure that you are logged in to your Festival account and have a ticket to the selected film. Here’s how to cast to your TV:

  1. Start watching the video on your iOS device by selecting “Watch Now” on the film detail page or in My Schedule.
  2. Expand your player window to full-screen.
  3. Locate the Airplay icon in the video player and cast to your TV from there. 

Using the Festival TV App

Watch using the Sundance Film Festival Player available for Apple TV (generation 4 or later), FireTV, and Roku (available soon in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store). Please note the following:

  • For security purposes, you may register only one Sundance Film Festival Player for viewing (i.e., you can’t watch Festival films on both AppleTV and FireTV apps).
  • You can’t purchase anything with the Sundance Film Festival Player; this can only be done on the Festival website.
  • Films that you have made a ticket selection for (e.g. Single Film Tickets) or have Favorited (ref. passholders) will appear in the app.
 

Approved Device List

The Sundance Film Festival Player TV app should work on the following devices:

  • Apple TV (generation 4 or later)
  • FireTV (most FireTV models that support 1080p or greater resolution)
  • Roku (OS 10 or later)
    • Roku streaming players 9102X, 9101X, 9100X, 4800X, 4670X, 4662X, 4661X, 4660X, 4640X, 4630X, 4620X, 4400X, 4230X, 4210X, 4200X, 3941X, 3940X, 3931X, 3930X, 3921X, 3920X, 3910X, 3900X, 3811X, 3810X, 3800X, 3710X, 3700X, 3600X, 3500X, 2720X, 2710X, 2700X
  • All Roku TV models 
 

Using an HDMI Cable

You can also connect your laptop or phone to your TV via HDMI, VGA, or DVI cables. To connect your laptop/computer to your TV using HDMI:

  1. Connect the HDMI cable into the HDMI TV port.
  2. Plug the HDMI cable into your laptop’s port.
  3. Set your TV to the corresponding HDMI input port using source display or the TV remote (manual detection might be required).
 

Using an iPhone/iPad

Watch on your iPhone or iPad using the Safari browser on iOS 11.2 or later. To watch on your TV, use AirPlay or the Sundance Film Festival Player. Please note that screen-mirroring cannot be used due to content protection restrictions. 

Important: iCloud Private Relay must be turned off (disabled) to watch; iCloud Private Relay is a security feature on devices with iOS 15.4 and later that is not compatible with the Sundance Film Festival Player. To turn off Private Relay, go to: Settings > [Name] > iCloud > Private Relay

Using an Android Device

Watch on your Android device with Chrome on Android 6.0 or later. To use Chromecast, you must have a 3rd generation or later Chromecast stick. Here are some tips for how to Chromecast from different devices:

  • Mobile: Your mobile phone or tablet must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device; if the “Cast” icon is not visible in your player, casting is not supported.
  • Computer: Use the Google Chrome browser and click “Cast”; if the “Cast” icon is not visible in your player, casting is not supported.

How to Get the Highest Resolution

To watch in the highest resolution available (1080p and 4K/UHD included), use the following device and browser combinations:

  • Sundance Film Festival Player for Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV
  • Safari on macOS
  • Edge on Windows
  • Safari on iOS
  • Chrome on Android

Tech Help

For additional support with devices, system requirements, and setup, visit our streaming vendor’s (Eventive) online help page. You can also test your device compatibility by using Eventive’s Device Compatibility test page.

Notes on Sharing

Independent filmmakers dream of earning a living from their art and craft. We ask that you enjoy Festival films as they were intended: to be viewed in theaters and at home. Please respect the work and livelihoods of our filmmakers and do not copy, rebroadcast, or distribute any film or portion thereof, each of which constitutes copyright infringement under United States and international copyright laws. To be clear: Publicly exhibiting Festival films, recording Festival films of portions thereof for any purpose, and sharing the film links through email or other electronic methods are strictly prohibited. Sundance Institute will take appropriate action against any individuals who attempt to pirate, exhibit, distribute, or record any Festival films or other Festival content.

For technical requirements for watching with the Sundance Film Festival Player app, please read Technical Requirements for Watching.

This year, the online Festival experience allows you to watch where you want, when you want. Stay tuned for more details on when online screenings will take place.

Note: Online events on our Festival platform are automatically adjusted to your browser’s time zone.

  • Press & Industry: For attendees accredited through the Press or SIO offices, dates for online screenings will vary.

How to Watch on Your Browser/Device

To watch a film, click the “Watch Now” button on the My Festival Schedule page or from the film details page while the selected title is available. We recommend watching the Festival with the following device/browser combinations:

  • PCs running Windows 10+
  • Apple Silicon or Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+
  • Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku device platforms using the Sundance Film Festival Player TV app
  • Android tablets and phones using Chrome
  • iPhone and iPads using Safari
  • Chromecast via computer or Android phone 

Important: Due to content protection restrictions, screen mirroring cannot be used.

H1 How to Watch Online

Watch Windows

To watch a film, click the “Watch Now” button on the My Festival Schedule page or from the film details page while the selected title is available. Be sure to start the screening by 11:55 p.m. MT and finish watching within the allotted viewing period as follows:

  • 12 hours for Indie Episodic
  • Five hours for Feature Films
  • No time limit on Short Films

 

Note: Online packageholders cannot watch the same film twice. Packageholders can make up to two ticket selections per film, but the second ticket will have to be gifted to another attendee.

Q&As

Q&As will be available to watch online for a selection of live in-person feature film screenings only, subject to filmmaker availability. They will be recorded and play immediately after the credits following a film’s online screening and count towards your five-hour watch window. Q&As will not be available to watch on demand, nor will they be posted on film detail pages to view later.

International Audiences

Films will not be available internationally due to rights restrictions. We invite you to watch talks and events online (free for all audiences).

Ratings

Many projects in our Festival program have not been rated. We curate bold and creative films that can be provocative and are not suitable for all audiences. Please read the film description in our Festival Program Guide prior to reserving a film to ensure the film is appropriate for all viewers in your group.

To watch Short Film programs online, follow the steps below.

  • Find the Short Film program that you are interested in and Favorite it (film timestamps and run times will be listed on the Film Details Page).
  • Watch on your Sundance Film Festival Player app by clicking the “Watch Now” button on your “My Schedule.”
  • Start, pause, and rewatch Short Film programs as often as you would like for the duration of your pass or ticket.
  • Start your screenings by 11:55 p.m. MT and finish watching within the allotted viewing periods mentioned above.

 

Short Film programs are included with select pass benefits for accredited Press and Industry Office members.

Notes on Sharing

Independent filmmakers dream of earning a living from their art and craft. We ask that you enjoy Festival films as they were intended: to be viewed in theaters and at home. Please respect the work and livelihoods of our filmmakers and do not copy, rebroadcast, or distribute any film or portion thereof, each of which constitutes copyright infringement under United States and international copyright laws. To be clear: Publicly exhibiting Festival films, recording Festival films or portions thereof for any purpose, and sharing the film links through email or other electronic methods are strictly prohibited. Sundance Institute will take appropriate action against any individuals who attempt to pirate, exhibit, distribute, or record any Festival films or other Festival content.  

For technical requirements, please read Technical Requirements for Watching.

Listen to filmmakers, artists, and changemakers discuss some of the most pressing topics of today through our Beyond Film program. Check back in January for more information on watching Beyond Film events online.