The 2026 Sundance Film Festival edition welcomed film-lovers and cinephiles on January 22, 2026 bringing world premieres across 90 films and 7 episodic programs spanning the U.S. and global cinema. Among them, their newest cohort of Asian centric projects demonstrated the festival’s continued efforts in highlighting international stories. These highly anticipated debuts offer fresh perspectives, emotional narratives, and a strong glimpse of the future of API representation in cinema. Check out these top feature picks to keep an eye out for!
The Friend’s House is Here (2026)
Marking the festival directorial debut of Maryam Ataei and Hosseing Keshavarz, The Friend’s House is Here (2026) takes a look at Iran’s vibrant underground art scene. Against the backdrop of this community, two women navigate creativity, friendship, and the threat that may dismantle their chosen family. The film showcases the quiet resilience of women holding each other through protecting art together and themselves. Ataei and Keshavarz craft a compassionate story that outlines artistic dignity as a form of radical resistance.
Zi (2026)
Set over the course of a single night in Hong Kong, zi (2026) traces a young woman’s evocative vision of her future self and the stranger who may reshape her destiny. Starring actors Michelle Mao, Jin Ha, and Haley Lu Richardson, the film blends sci-fi and supernatural elements into a contained narrative. Following the same vein of director Kogonada’s common themes of time and intimacy, the film explores uncertainty, memory, and the fragile peace found between moments with an even gentler dream-like warmth. The feature film will be participating in the NEXT program which is known to showcase the bold and innovative stories that year.
Levitating (2026)
This hypnotic coming of age story follows Bayu, a young Indonesian shaman-in-training whose flute channels animal spirits into dancers through trance dance rituals. The villagers find happiness and strength through these rituals such as borrowing the unbreakable spirit of turtles, to ants that make the taste of food more delicious. As present day distractions threaten to diminish the spiritual focus of these ceremonies, Bayu faces the modern challenge of balancing tradition with change. Directed by Wregas Bhanuteja, the film blends music, spirituality, humor and emotional intimacy into a powerful call for cultural preservation and the strength of community.
Bedford Park (2026)
In Bedford Park (2026), writer-director Stephanie Ahn delivers a vulnerable feature film debut about the shadows of childhood trauma and the quiet work of healing. Centered on Audrey, a Korean American woman in her 30s who although has long tried to outrun wounds she still carries, returns to her family home after her mother’s car accident.There she finds a complex and unexpected connection with Eli, the man responsible, who is also burdened by his own past. Moon Choi and Son Sukku showcase powerful performances by bringing life to two characters shaped by immigrant hardship and unspoken grief. With great sensitivity, the movie captures the emotional contradictions of adulthood.
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty (2026)
This fantasy dance drama film follows Haru, a passionate ballroom dancer who retreats into isolation after a devastating loss. Drawn back to the dance floor by her friends, she finds herself falling for a new instructor. Played by Academy Award nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi, Haru quickly rediscovers her desire for dance and joy for life. With whimsical fantasy sequences and infectious dance numbers, director Josef Kubota Wladyka weaves a story celebrating the messy and hopeful act of choosing to live fully once again.
Whether drawn to powerful performances or moving cinematic journeys, Sundance 2026’s Asian-led slate of films promises a season to remember. For viewers eager to experience these stories on the screen themselves, films are available for streaming on the Sundance site here until Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Curious to discover more API actors and films? Check out our profile on Show Kasamatsu here!
