As we reflect on over four decades of the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, it’s impossible for any one list — however expansive — to represent the wide range of films and filmmakers that have written the Festival’s history. But in celebrating that history, it’s important to acknowledge the astonishing work that has emerged. So a group of Festival programmers has put together a Sundance Film Festival 101 watchlist.

The process was, at times challenging, but ultimately it was revelatory and exciting. Paring down the nearly 4,000 films that have premiered at the Festival led to almost unconscionable omissions. While the programmers considered artistry, social and cultural impact, popularity, influence, accolades, representation, overall balance and many other factors, the only official guideline was to choose 101 films that tell the story of the Sundance Film Festival.

Although Richard Linklater, Dee Rees, Gregg Araki, Lisa Cholodenko, Todd Haynes, and other notable alums were each initially represented by multiple films, in order to include as many names as possible, the final list contains only one title per artist. So as outrageous as it may seem to not include "Slacker," "Before Sunrise," "Mysterious Skin," "The Living End" or "Safe," it would have been equally outrageous to omit other filmmakers entirely. That led to more unbelievable choices: "Pariah" or "Mudbound"? "High Art" or "The Kids Are Alright"? "You Can Count on Me" or "Manchester By the Sea"?

The final list also emphasizes films that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. So while "The Virgin Suicides," "Bend it Like Beckham," "Run Lola Run," "Mississippi Masala" and "Y Tu Mama Tambien" are amongst the most notable films in our history, they all screened first at other festivals.

Just as with each year’s slate, there are many more films that deserve to be included; certainly more than a hundred. We hope that by making our choices, we encourage others to make their choices. If you think it’s easy, give it a try! What’s your Sundance Film Festival 101?

Read more: sndnc.org/4r88rdq