Newcomers get the spotlight at Sundance

• That's up from 28% last year.

Why it matters: The newcomers could become the next big names in cinema.

• Prominent directors like Ryan Coogler and Chloé Zhao had meteoric rises after premiering their first feature films, "Fruitvale Station" and "Songs My Brothers Taught Me," at Sundance.

What they're saying: "Our reputation is built on discovery," said Kim Yutani, head of the festival's programming team. "We go to great lengths to find those … first-time filmmakers."

• Programmers often start tracking new directors who submit promising short films or participate in the Sundance Institute's labs for rising talent, festival director Eugene Hernandez told Axios.

What we're watching: Painter and MacArthur Fellow Titus Kaphar is switching his medium to enter his debut, "Exhibiting Forgiveness," in the festival's high-profile U.S. dramatic competition.

• Carla Gutiérrez, who edited the celebrated documentary "RBG," is occupying the director's chair for "FRIDA," entered in the festival's U.S. documentary field.
• India Donaldson's first dramatic feature, "Good One" is already winning acclaim.
• Sean Wang is moving up the ranks from the institute's "Ignite" mentorship program for emerging artists, with his dramatic feature "Didi" selected for the festival.

What's next: The festival runs Jan. 18-28.