The Sundance Film Festival has long stood as one of cinema’s most influential cultural gatherings, championing independent storytelling while shaping the wider film conversation. For over 20 years, the festival has been hosted in Park City, Utah, each January, transforming the snow-covered mountain town into a global creative hub at the height of mid-winter. Always held in January, Sundance has become synonymous with discovery — a place where directors, actors, and producers debut boundary-pushing work that often defines the year ahead. The festival’s impact extends far beyond premieres, drawing major media coverage as casts and filmmakers descend on Park City for screenings, panels, and press moments both on and off the slopes.

The 2026 edition delivered a particularly strong slate of premieres, including Josephine starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, Carousel with Chris Pine and Jenny Slate, The Invitation led by Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen, Shitheads featuring Kiernan Shipka and Dave Franco, I Want Your Sex starring Chase Sui Wonders and Mason Gooding and lots more. While temperatures dipped well below freezing, celebrities arrived impeccably dressed, balancing practicality and polish with cable knits, tailored coats, shearling layers, and puffer jackets. Indoors and outdoors alike, cinema was celebrated in style, with trending sunglasses and optical frames punctuating carefully considered winter looks.

Our perennial eyewear favourite Charli XCX proved she is as compelling on screen as she is on stage. At Sundance, she appeared as an actor and creative collaborator, starring in The Gallerist alongside Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega, I Want Your Sex, and the mockumentary The Moment. On one occasion, she was spotted wearing Bologna sunglasses Off-White, reinforcing her status as an eyewear risk-taker.

Her The Moment co-star Alexander Skarsgård opted for black Lankaster sunglasses from Jacques Marie Mage with striking blue lenses, later breaking the internet in Valentino Rockstud flip-flops despite the snow.

Promoting new thriller Josephine, written directed by Beth de Araujo, Channing Tatum arrived in sunny Park City wearing dark tortoiseshell Giorgio Armani AR8227T 6207/73 sunglasses.

His co-star Gemma Chan embraced a monochromatic look in black Saint Laurent SL 581 001 sunglasses paired with a striped blouse.

Chris Pine attended for his romantic drama Carousel, directed by Rachel Lambert, wearing black Persol PO3269 95/31 sunglasses, a favourite model that is now discontinued.

His co-star Jenny Slate was spotted in black CHANEL 5416 1712/S6 sunglasses, finished with bold yellow lettering.

For her comedy adaptation The Invitation, which she both directed and starred in, Olivia Wilde consistently wore the gold Jane optical glasses by Elisa Johnson throughout the festival. For a similar aesthetic, the Ray-Ban William Titanium RB 8797 1246 is a perfect match.

Seth Rogen, also starring in The Invitation, chose yellow tortoiseshell Persol 3160V 108 optical glasses, a now-discontinued favourite.

Billy Magnussen also arrived in Utah following his promotional run for The Audacity series, wearing Ray-Ban RB 2204 1393/57 round sunglasses with brown polarised lenses.

Promoting his upcoming film Chasing Summer, Tom Welling attended the festival wearing striped grey Persol 3380S sunglasses; a cool choice. While we currently stock this model in black, a more versatile and equally sharp option, the exact colourway worn by Tom is available through special order.

Held over ten consecutive days, it’s no surprise that the festival schedule is filled with satellite events. At the 29th Annual SAGindie Actors Only Brunch, comedian Lou Young III was spotted wearing the sophisticated Prada PR A01S 16K08Z sunglasses. 

As ever, Sundance proved that even in sub-zero conditions, style and cinema go hand in hand. From independent premieres to unforgettable eyewear moments, the 2026 festival once again set the tone for the year ahead, and we’ll see you back in Park City next January!

Au Revoir,
PRET A VOIR