The Sundance Film Festival has long been an essential platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work. But it is not just the films that capture attention; the cameras behind these productions are equally important. In 2025, a clear trend emerges: the ARRI ALEXA 35 has solidified its position as the camera of choice among independent filmmakers, dominating the landscape with its exceptional dynamic range and image quality. At YMCinema, we have tracked this development over the years, from Sundance to Cannes and beyond, uncovering shifts in the cinematographic landscape that tell a fascinating story about technology, artistic choices, and the future of filmmaking. The data we have gathered, compiled in easy-to-read charts, reveals not only the rise of the ARRI ALEXA 35 but also the broader trends shaping the cinematic world. In this article, we dive deep into these insights, exploring why ARRI’s ALEXA 35 reigns supreme at Sundance 2025 and analyzing the broader camera trends that are reshaping the future of filmmaking.

The Rise of the ARRI ALEXA 35: Strengthening Super 35’s Domination

For years, the ARRI ALEXA Mini was the go-to camera for Super 35 filmmakers. But the ARRI ALEXA 35, a more recent addition to ARRI’s lineup, has been slowly but surely overtaking the Mini in popularity. In fact, 2025 marks a pivotal year for the ALEXA 35, as it takes the top spot at Sundance for the first time. This shift is not accidental; the ALEXA 35 offers unparalleled dynamic range, which is a key reason why filmmakers gravitate toward it. At festivals like Cannes, the ARRI ALEXA Mini has long dominated, even securing the top spot in 2021, 2022, and 2023. However, as we saw in the Sundance 2024 festival, the ARRI ALEXA 35 was creeping into second place, signaling a shift in preference. In 2025, the ARRI ALEXA 35 firmly takes the first spot at Sundance, cementing its status as the camera of choice for high-end cinema on a budget. This rise mirrors similar trends in other prestigious film festivals such as Cannes, where the ALEXA 35 now regularly appears alongside the Mini, which continues to remain a beloved choice for many filmmakers. The dominance of Super 35 format in the indie film world is not surprising. Filmmakers often gravitate toward Super 35 because it provides a narrow field of view and more lens compatibility, making it easier to focus attention on the subject. This characteristic helps reduce the complexity of cinematography when working with a limited budget, a common scenario for indie filmmakers. The ALEXA 35, with its robust dynamic range and rich color depth, continues to define the high standard for independent cinema. As detailed in our previous articles on Sundance 2024 and Cannes 2024 (see references at the end), filmmakers appreciate its versatility and performance, solidifying the ALEXA 35’s dominance as the camera of choice.

This data is based on the mighty IndieWire’s survey which contains the full list of projects, DPs, cameras, and even lenses. Explore it here.

First, let’s view the camera chart of Sundance 2025. 

Sundance 2025: Camera Chart

ARRI Mini LF: The Weapon of Choice for Large Format Shooters

While the ARRI ALEXA 35 has firmly secured the top spot in the Super 35 world, the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF has also made a significant impact among filmmakers working in large-format and full-frame cinematography. Despite the ARRI ALEXA LF’s earlier reputation as a large-format powerhouse, it is the more compact and versatile Mini LF that has captured the attention of cinematographers. It has quickly gained a reputation for being a portable yet high-performance camera, making it the preferred choice for filmmakers working with large-format shots. At Sundance 2025, the Mini LF is positioned in second place overall, underscoring its importance in the indie filmmaking ecosystem (see chart above). Its ability to handle large-format cinema without compromising on flexibility has made it an essential tool for many filmmakers, whether they are capturing wide landscapes or intimate portraits. The Mini LF’s success also demonstrates the industry’s growing interest in large-format cinematography, which allows for more immersive and visually stunning imagery, a trend we have discussed in-depth in our articles on Sundance 2023 and TIFF 2024 (references below). 

Sony VENICE: A Strong Contender, but ARRI Holds the Reins

While Sony’s VENICE cameras have earned acclaim for their reliability, exceptional codec options (the acclaimed X-OCN), and superb image quality, they continue to play second fiddle to ARRI in the indie film world. Sony VENICE cameras are praised for their versatility and image fidelity, but filmmakers seem to prefer the ARRI cameras, which have a longstanding reputation for being the gold standard in high-end cinematography. Despite the Sony VENICE’s features—such as its impressive codec flexibility and low-light performance—it has never quite overtaken ARRI’s ALEXA line in the camera charts for major film festivals. This trend is reflected at Sundance 2025, where the VENICE remains a popular choice but is overshadowed by the ARRI ALEXA 35. As we explored in Sundance 2024, the popularity of ARRI cameras is not simply a matter of technical specifications, but also a cultural and industry-wide standard that filmmakers rely on.

ARRICAM LT: The Weapon of Choice for Celluloid Lovers

It’s no surprise to see the ARRICAM LT making an appearance in the Sundance 2025 camera lineup. This film camera remains the go-to choice for filmmakers who are dedicated to shooting on actual film rather than digital formats. Despite the convenience and capabilities of digital cinema cameras, the ARRICAM LT’s allure remains strong among purists who appreciate the tactile, organic nature of celluloid film. The continued presence of film-based cinematography at prestigious festivals like Sundance and Cannes speaks to the enduring appeal of analog formats in an increasingly digital world. As we discussed in Sundance 2024, there is a small but passionate group of filmmakers who still prefer the unique look and feel of film, making the ARRICAM LT a key choice for certain projects.

RED Komodo: The Main RED Camera in Sundance, But Why the Limited Popularity?

While RED cameras have garnered attention for their cutting-edge technology, high resolution, and modular design, they have not achieved the same widespread adoption at festivals like Sundance when compared to ARRI and Sony cameras. However, the RED Komodo, often considered an entry-level RED camera, has made a notable appearance in the Sundance 2025 charts. Despite its relatively more affordable price point, the Komodo’s appearance raises an interesting question: why is RED not more popular among independent filmmakers? There are several factors at play. First, RED’s reputation for high-end production gear, while impressive, is often associated with larger productions and studio work rather than indie films with smaller budgets (because you need more cameras for redundancy). Additionally, filmmakers who are focused on capturing rich, organic image qualities may gravitate toward ARRI’s ALEXA line, which is renowned for its color science and dynamic range. This is a point we’ve explored in our coverage of Sundance 2020 and Sundance 2021, where RED’s presence remained relatively modest compared to other camera manufacturers.

Sony Cinema Line: Indie Filmmakers’ Workhorse Cameras

Despite not being at the very top of the camera rankings, Sony’s Cinema Line—including the FX9, FX6, and FX3—has established itself as an essential part of the indie filmmaking toolkit. These cameras are known for their affordability, reliability, and excellent image quality, making them the go-to choice for filmmakers who require workhorse cameras that can handle a variety of shooting conditions. At Sundance 2025, the Sony Cinema Line continues to hold a strong presence, albeit not in the same league as ARRI or even the Sony VENICE. These cameras often serve as secondary or B-cameras on larger productions but are still a favorite for many indie filmmakers, as they offer a blend of high-quality imaging and user-friendly operation at a relatively low cost. This trend echoes the analysis we provided in Sundance 2023 and Sundance 2022, where the Sony FX series has been recognized as reliable options for filmmakers working under tight budgets.

Conclusion: ARRI ALEXA 35 Reigns Supreme, but Diversity is Key

As we look back at the camera choices for Sundance 2025, the ARRI ALEXA 35 stands tall as the camera of choice for independent filmmakers. Its dominance in the festival’s camera rankings reflects broader trends in the filmmaking world, where Super 35 and large-format cinematography are on the rise, and ARRI remains the go-to brand for top-tier production quality. However, it is also clear that the camera landscape is diverse, with filmmakers selecting the tools that best suit their creative vision, budget constraints, and technical needs. Whether it’s the compact versatility of the ARRI Mini LF, the celluloid purity of the ARRICAM LT, the affordability and flexibility of Sony’s Cinema Line, or the high-resolution power of RED cameras, the festival world continues to showcase a wide array of choices. Each camera has its strengths, and filmmakers continue to innovate, pushing the boundaries of cinematic technology. Sundance 2025 may very well be remembered as the year of the ARRI ALEXA 35, but it is the diversity of tools and approaches that drives the evolution of filmmaking. As technology advances, we will continue to witness the rise of new cameras, lenses, and shooting techniques. The trend toward larger sensor sizes and the exploration of AI-powered filmmaking is one to watch closely, with future festivals likely offering a blend of both traditional and cutting-edge approaches. As technology progresses, so too does the storytelling landscape. Whether filmmakers are capturing the nuances of human emotion with the ARRI ALEXA 35, experimenting with large formats, or innovating with AI tools, the future of cinema promises exciting developments. We look forward to seeing how Sundance and other prestigious film festivals evolve in response to these new tools and techniques, and to the continued influence of cameras that define the way we see the world.

References

1. The Cameras Behind Sundance 2024 Narratives: ALEXA 35 Gains Popularity
2. Sundance 2023 Cinematography: The Story is More Important Than Camera Lenses
3. The Cameras Behind Sundance Film Festival 2022
4. Sundance 2022 Cinematography: Combining Film Emulation With Modern Cinema Cameras
5. The Cameras Behind Sundance 2021: ALEXA Mini Rules and the BMPCC Chimes In
6. The Cameras Behind Sundance 2020: ALEXA Mini, Sony Venice, and RED Helium
7. Sundance Film Festival: A Guide for Filmmakers
8. The Cameras of TIFF 2024: Super 35 Rules With the ARRI ALEXA 35 Mini
9. The Most Popular Cinema Cameras
10. Cannes 2024 Proves That Super 35 Is Back Into the Game
11. Cannes 2024’s Cameras: ARRI ALEXA Mini Is Still the King
12. ALEXA 35 Is the Dominant ARRI Camera Among Cannes 2024 Cinematographers
13. The Cameras of Cannes 2023: ARRI Mini Is Still the King
14. The Cameras Behind Cannes 2022: ALEXA Mini Still Dominates
15. Cannes Film Festival 2021’s Cameras: Diversity Is the Key
16. The Cameras Behind Cannes 2019: From Cheap Camcorders to High-End ALEXA