The Rising Stars of Sundance Film Festival 2025: Stephen James, Ayo Edebiri, Rachel Sennott and More

See the top Sundance Film Festival 2025 movie premiers and their rising talents below.

An American actor known for his roles in The Maze Runner series and Teen Wolf. O’Brien has been praised for his ability to balance action-packed roles and more subtle drama roles.
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O’Brien stars in Twinless, a comedy about an unlikely friendship between two men in a support group for twinless twins. His charm and comedic timing are expected to shine.

A multi-talented actress and comedian known for her standout role in The Bear. Edebiri’s rising star power comes from her dynamic performances and impeccable comedic instincts.

Edebiri is now starring in Opus, a horror film where she plays a musician haunted by a mysterious force. Her ability to balance humor and drama makes her role highly anticipated.

A British actor widely recognized for his Emmy-winning role as Prince Charles in The Crown. O’Connor excels in emotionally complex roles.

O’Connor plays the lead in Rebuilding, portraying a rancher struggling to piece his life back together after a devastating fire.

A Canadian actor best known for his performances in If Beale Street Could Talk and Homecoming. James has earned critical acclaim for his ability to bring depth and nuance to his roles.

James stars in Ricky, a poignant drama about a man trying to rebuild his life after incarceration. His performance is expected to be one of the festival’s highlights.

An American actress and comedian who gained widespread recognition for her performance in Shiva Baby. Sennott is celebrated for her sharp humor, spectacular acting, writing and directing skills.

Rachel Sennot is starring in the debut movie by Katarina Zhu called Bunnylovr that tells the story of a Chinese-American cam girl who struggles to navigate an increasingly toxic relationship with one of her clients while rekindling her relationship with her estranged, dying father.

Rachel also played a part in movie production according to her recent Instagram post.

An Indigenous actress known for her role in Prey and the TV series Legion. Midthunder has been praised for bringing strong, relatable characters to the screen. Her role in the upcoming Opus is yet to be revealed.