Park City, Utah – – The Sundance Film Festival continues to be a launchpad for vital and challenging cinema, and this year is no exception. Among the filmmakers generating significant buzz is Geeta Gandbhir, whose latest work is prompting crucial conversations about trauma, representation, and the ethics of storytelling. Gandbhir, speaking recently about her film, revealed the complex considerations that went into bringing a difficult narrative to the screen.
Gandbhir’s film tackles a harrowing true story, and she and her team were acutely aware of the potential harm in depicting violence, particularly when it involves Black bodies. “This is a film that plays like a real-life thriller. It is terrifying and violent; we were concerned about the ethics of sharing that trauma onscreen,” Gandbhir explained. The decision to proceed, she said, ultimately rested with the victim’s mother, Pamela, who found inspiration in the legacy of Mamie Till-Mobley and her courageous decision to display her son Emmett’s brutalized body to the world. “Pamela’s decision gave us the courage to allow the most difficult parts of the film to live onscreen, as she believes the world needs to bear witness to impact change.”
For Gandbhir, filmmaking isn’t merely a profession; it’s a deeply rooted human impulse. “I see storytelling as a means to connect with other people, to share commonalities and learn about one another,” she stated. “Historically, humans have always connected around storytelling to preserve history and build community, often through dance, theater, music, and art. Film is just the most recent extension of this human tradition.” She expressed a lifelong love for the medium, particularly animation, for its capacity to create entire worlds from imagination.
The importance of filmmaking, according to Gandbhir, extends beyond artistic expression. “Filmmaking is one of the most unique and technologically advanced art forms for humans to share stories,” she said. “In our global world, it’s a critical way for us to remain connected.” However, she also acknowledged the systemic inequities within the industry, emphasizing the need to make filmmaking a more accessible and equitable medium. “It’s important to address the inequity in the system to make it a more equitable and accessible medium, but it’s a powerful tool to reach people worldwide and build cultural bridges and a shared human narrative.”
Beyond filmmaking, Gandbhir harbors other passions. “If I weren’t a filmmaker, I would be a visual artist, or I would work at a wildlife preserve,” she revealed, hinting at a broad range of creative and environmental interests.
When asked about advice for aspiring filmmakers, Gandbhir stressed the importance of character-driven narratives. “The best stories are the stories that are character-driven,” she asserted. “People need to be able to see themselves in your films and connect deeply to the people onscreen. No matter what the topic is, it’s all about emotional storytelling.”
Gandbhir’s own creative influences are diverse and inspiring, including Viet Thanh Nguyen, Spike Lee, Zora Neale Hurston, Kara Walker, Lalita Gandbhir, and Rakesh and Tunde Kwantu. She also cited recent films that resonated with her, specifically Polite Society and Godzilla Minus One, expressing a desire to have created them herself.
A key characteristic that contributes to her success, Gandbhir believes, is a fundamental curiosity about the world and an ability to empathize with others. “I think filmmakers must have the ability to be deeply curious about the world and connect their humanity to that of others. They must be able to see the world through the eyes of others. I think those are traits that I have – definitely curious!”
Gandbhir’s relationship with the Sundance Institute dates back to her work as a supervising editor on the 2012 film Which Way Is the Front Line From Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington. She also had a short film, Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr., play at the festival. She described her initial experience at Sundance as invigorating, praising the festival’s “passion and energy” and its commitment to showcasing unique films. “I think Sundance audiences are the most intense cinephiles – you have to really love film to be able to come out in the cold!”
The decision to premiere her latest film at Sundance was a deliberate one. Gandbhir shared that she first told her producer, Alisa Payne, when she learned of her film’s acceptance. She also highlighted another recent Sundance selection, Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, as a particularly inspiring work from the festival, praising both the filmmakers and the subject, Nikki Giovanni.
Gandbhir’s presence at Sundance 2026 underscores the festival’s continued role in championing filmmakers who are willing to confront difficult subjects and push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that comes with sharing stories, and the potential for film to both heal and provoke change.
