Sundance has always celebrated the unhinged: the bad decisions, doomed schemes, and desperate characters who barrel toward disaster with a grin. This year, the 2026 festival lineup continues that tradition with The Gallerist, a darkly comedic crime satire that promises chaos, cultural commentary, and an Art Basel corpse hustle.
Directed by Cathy Yan and co-written with James Pedersen, The Gallerist follows a desperate art dealer scheming to sell a dead body at Miami’s prestigious Art Basel. The film boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast including Sterling K. Brown, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Zach Galifianakis, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Producers on the project include Ash Sarohia, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Jonathan King, Tom McCarthy, and Rae Baron.
Set against the high-stakes, glamorous world of contemporary art, The Gallerist blends comedy, crime, and cultural satire, offering a darkly hilarious look at ambition, desperation, and the lengths people will go to for a payday—or survival.
The world premiere of The Gallerist will take place at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, marking one of the season’s most eagerly anticipated entries in the festival’s U.S. and international fiction lineup.
With Sundance continuing to champion bold storytelling and chaotic characters, The Gallerist promises to deliver both laughter and edge-of-your-seat tension, cementing it as one of the festival’s standout titles.