Documentary
6 New Notable Documentaries Made in Utah
If there’s one thing I’ve learned at the Utah International Film Festival, it’s that Utah’s storytellers know how to turn familiar landscapes into something transcendent. Sometimes it’s the shimmering expanse of Great Salt Lake or the volcanic shadows of Snow Canyon, and these filmmakers reveal new layers of meaning in the places we think we already know.
The following documentaries are highlights from recent submissions I’ve had the chance to screen. Our official selections won’t be announced until December 7th, so don’t take this as any sort of confirmation—just a personal look at six projects that stayed with me.
Secrets of Great Salt Lake
Directed by Tyler Mifflin
This film sweeps you through eons of history, from mammoths and saber-toothed cats to the modern-day ecosystem that depends on this shrinking inland sea. The cinematography is breathtaking—every frame feels polished and intentional. What struck me most was how the story ties Utah’s snow-capped mountains to the wetlands below, reminding me that water connects everything. It’s educational without ever feeling dry (pun intended), and the pacing is just right.
SLC Comb
Directed by Emery Willis
“Save the bees” has been a slogan for years, but this documentary digs deeper, exploring biodiversity and the shared struggle between humans and bees in the middle of an industrial neighborhood. Backyard beekeeper Alex Wonder and scientist Laura-Arneson Horn give the story both intimacy and context. The visuals and pacing feel smooth, and I loved how the film draws parallels between hive life and human community. It’s heartfelt, relatable, and urgent.
The Grim & The Dark
Directed by Daniel Lowman
Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) dives into the moody world of Grimdark—where fantasy and realism collide in shadow and coolness. The interviews with authors, game developers, and fans give the film a lively rhythm, and the editing keeps the beat steady. While the subject matter is niche, it’s a fascinating peek behind a genre that thrives on moral ambiguity and creative awesomeness. It’s a fun and geeky ride that genre lovers will appreciate.
Reading Between the Lines
Directed by Katie Rose Phillips
This short centers on a woman creating a safe, affirming space for LGBTQIA+ youth to find community through literature. The concept is uplifting, and the heart of the story shines through. I kept wishing to hear more voices from the group, but what’s there feels genuine and filled with purpose.
Refraction(s of Great Salt Lake
Directed by Kelly Hannah
This one plays more like an art installation than a traditional documentary. The shots linger like a painting, pulling you into the reflective mood of Utah’s most debated natural wonder. The experimental structure might confuse viewers unfamiliar with the subject, but the visuals are beautiful. It’s less about facts and more about feeling—the kind of short that sits with you.
Fire and Stone
Directed by Allan Crawford
A quiet powerful meditation on Snow Canyon’s volcanic origins. The visuals are top-notch—clear, crisp, and carefully composed. The film manages to translate geology into poetry. Watching lava flows and sandstone walls tell their own story reminded me that Utah’s stillness is anything but still.
Utah’s documentary filmmakers continue to surprise me with how personal their work can be. Even the most technical subjects—volcanoes, bees, saltwater—have soul through their lenses. Whether or not these particular projects make the final lineup, they’re great stories.
If you’re a filmmaker, the submission window for the Utah International Film Festival has now closed, but I can’t wait to share the full list of selected titles on December 7th. Until then, consider this a small woot woot of the incredible talent growing right here in Utah.