In the Wake TV Producers Shayna and Julia wrap up their Sundance Film Festival coverage with a fascinating observation: filmmakers are making covert political statements without making political statements—but absolutely making political statements.
The Art of Subtext in 2025: In this roundup conversation, Shayna and Julia unpack the common threads weaving through this year's Sundance lineup—films that tackle grief, identity, community, and resistance through deeply personal stories rather than overt political messaging. It's storytelling that understands the most powerful political acts often happen in the quiet moments: a character's choice, a relationship that defies norms, a narrative that centers voices typically pushed to the margins.

Why This Matters: In an era of heightened polarization and cultural pushback, independent filmmakers are finding creative ways to say what needs to be said—embedding social commentary within human stories that resonate across divides. For Black filmmakers and creators of color, this approach has always been survival and strategy: telling our truths through art that can't be easily dismissed or politicized by those who refuse to see us.

Watch the full roundup as our producers highlight the hidden gems, discuss the themes that defined Sundance 2025, and celebrate the filmmakers who understand that the personal is political—even when you never say it out loud.

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