A24 Nears $8M Deal for Sundance Hit ‘Sorry, Baby’ Amid Slow Market

PARK CITY, Utah — A24 is finalizing a deal to acquire worldwide rights to “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most talked-about films at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The poignant drama, written, directed by, and starring comedian Eva Victor, sparked a competitive bidding war among independent studios, with the deal reportedly nearing $8 million.

The film, which premiered Monday night at the Eccles Theatre, follows a college professor recovering from sexual assault. Co-starring Naomi Ackie and Lucas Hedges, “Sorry, Baby” was produced by Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind “Moonlight.” The premiere received a standing ovation from the Park City audience, signaling its emotional resonance.

Variety‘s chief film critic Peter Debruge praised the film as a “disarmingly funny, slow-to-unfold debut,” noting its ability to tackle trauma with warmth and compassion. “It’s no easy task to make a film about trauma when one’s elders — those who make the rules and gatekeep the opportunities — still feel the appropriate response to adversity is to toughen up and soldier on,” Debruge wrote.

The acquisition marks a rare bright spot in an otherwise sluggish Sundance market. Only two other films have secured deals so far: a body-horror thriller starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, and “Train Dreams.” High-profile titles like Dylan O'Brien‘s “Twinless,” Jennifer Lopez‘s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” adaptation, and Marlee Matlin‘s documentary “Not Alone Anymore” remain unsold.

UTA Independent Film Group structured the financing and negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, with Charades handling international sales. Victor is represented by CAA, Management 360, and Felker Toczek.

The slow pace of acquisitions at this year’s festival reflects broader challenges in the independent film industry, compounded by recent wildfires in Southern California and lingering effects of labor strikes. Despite these hurdles, Sundance continues to serve as a launchpad for emerging talent, with “Sorry, Baby” poised to join the ranks of festival success stories.