Sundance Festival Directors on Audience Reaction to ‘The Invite,’ More Sales at Final Park City Fest

Ahead of the 2026 iteration, Sundance Film Festival director Eugene Hernandez shouted out one film in particular that he thought festivalgoers should make a point to see in Park City: “The Invite.” Indeed, Olivia Wilde’s raucous comedy played huge during its premiere at Eccles on the first weekend of the fest, resulting in the first overnight bidding war in years as the enthusiastic audience response – both laughs and tears – made clear this has the potential to be a big hit.

In other words, according to Hernandez, it was one of those legendary Sundance screenings you hope to witness, like the premieres of films like “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Boyhood” in years past.