Sundance Institute Next week, the 2021 Sundance Film Festival begins—but not in any way we've ever experienced it before. The annual independent film showcase has gone almost entirely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a smaller slate of films, and people around the world will have a chance to experience the programming from their own homes. One thing that remains the same, however, is the question of what to watch with the time (and tickets) you have. Sundance has always been a place for discovery, including many first-time filmmakers, meaning that some of the best work only emerges once the festival has begun. So how can you get a sense for what you might be interested in?