The Sundance Film Festival has made a bold move by excluding Meghan Markle’s Netflix film from its screening lineup.
This decision comes as Meghan actively campaigned for her film to be included in the prestigious festival.
The 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival, set to take place from January 18th to the 28th in Park City, Utah, has announced an impressive selection of 82 feature-length films from 24 different countries.
However, the festival organizers have chosen to pass on Meghan’s film.
Among the films chosen for this year’s festival, there is a noticeable theme centered around artificial intelligence (AI), along with a strong focus on political and social awareness.
An astounding 80 percent of these films are available for distribution, highlighting the festival’s dedication to supporting independent filmmakers.
The program boasts a diverse mix of dramatic and documentary features, short films, and episodic content.
Insiders have revealed that Meghan Markle was actively involved behind the scenes, urging her talent agency WME to submit her Netflix documentary series to the festival.
Her goal was to premiere the film in a prominent venue, attracting both ticket sales and potential investors for her next project.
Unfortunately, this strategic move backfired as the film faced harsh criticism from critics and viewers alike.
This year, the Sundance Film Festival received an overwhelming response from independent filmmakers, with a record-breaking 17,430 submissions from 153 countries or territories.
Within this massive pool of entries, 4,410 feature-length films were submitted, with 1,679 coming from the United States and 2,741 from international filmmakers.
Additionally, eight episodic projects secured a spot from 573 submissions, and 385 New Frontier submissions were considered.
Out of these numerous submissions, Sundance carefully selected 82 feature-length films from 24 countries.
Notably, 40 percent of the festival’s feature film directors are first-time filmmakers, totaling 40 out of 101 directors.
Furthermore, 11 of these featured films had received support from the Sundance Institute through grants or residency programs.
World premieres will dominate the festival, accounting for 85 out of 90 feature films and episodic programs.
In an ironic twist of fate, Meghan Markle’s efforts to gain recognition at Sundance only resulted in a few nominations from the Hollywood Critics Association, an obscure award show ranked 15th in the pecking order.
This incident has sparked discussions about transparency within streaming platforms like Netflix.
Many are calling for the release of actual viewership numbers, especially in light of Meghan Markle’s failed attempt to secure a prominent spot at Sundance.
Critics argue that Meghan’s actions, such as staging paparazzi photos and relentlessly seeking attention through tabloid coverage, reflect a desperate need for the limelight.
Unlike previous years, the Sundance Film Festival will forgo a traditional opening night and instead host a fundraiser benefit gala to celebrate its 40-year milestone, presented by Chase Sapphire.
The festival’s short film selections and complete programming for its 40th edition will be unveiled on December 12th.
For those unfamiliar, the Sundance Film Festival stands as one of the largest film festivals globally, renowned for its unwavering support of independent films.
Independent films, known for their detachment from the Hollywood film production system and often limited budgets, prioritize artistic expression.
This annual event takes place at the Sundance Resort Ski Area in the United States.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, despite their efforts, have learned firsthand that fame and connections do not always guarantee success in the world of independent filmmaking.