Sundance has removed its comedy drama “Twinless” from its streaming platform after sex scenes and other content leaked online, just days after the film won the festival’s Audience Award. The move comes as part of the festival’s efforts to protect independent filmmakers’ work.
The decision was made in partnership with the filmmakers after copyright infringement on various social media platforms led to widespread leaks. Fans were sharing clips from both “Twinless” and a documentary about Tejano singer Selena on TikTok and Instagram, causing disappointment among festival attendees who wanted to access the films digitally.
A spokesperson for Sundance said the move was made to ensure that independent filmmakers can protect their art in the future. The festival will provide vouchers to “Twinless” ticketholders to screen other films in the program. Despite the controversy, director James Sweeney seemed to take the incident in stride when accepting his award on Friday.
Industry insiders point to passionate fan bases as a driving force behind the leaks. Sundance has previously used advanced security measures and watermark technology with no issues. The festival’s decision highlights the challenges faced by independent filmmakers in protecting their work in the digital age.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/markets-festivals/leaked-dylan-obrien-gay-sex-scenes-twinless-sundance-pulls-digital-screenings-1236293573