Sundance’s Top 10 Films of All Time Led by ‘Whiplash,’ Per Survey

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, the nonprofit Sundance Institute is looking back on the legacy of films that debuted at the fest.

After surveying more than 500 filmmakers, critics, and industry members, Damien Chazelle’s 2014 debut feature “Whiplash” was awarded the title of top Sundance film of all time. “Whiplash” actor JK Simmons won the Academy Award for his portrayal of an abusive music teacher opposite Miles Teller. Writer-director Chazelle went on to direct “First Man,” “La La Land,” and “Babylon.”

The Sundance Film Festival since 1985 has premiered 4,000 feature films over the decades. The collective top 10 list of the Sundance Film Festival celebrates films that have “touched hearts and changed lives,” according to the Institute.

While Chazelle’s Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize-winning “Whiplash” landed in the top slot, Joel and Ethan Coen’s directorial debut “Blood Simple,” Alfonso Cuarón’s “Y tu mamá también,” Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood” and “Before Sunrise,” Christopher Nolan’s “Memento,” Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris’ “Little Miss Sunshine,” Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs,” and Steven Soderbergh’s “sex, lies, and videotape” were all among the top 10 list.

“Blood Simple,” which debuted at the very first Sundance Film Festival, won the Grand Jury Prize. “Sex, lies,…