Renowned musician and filmmaker Questlove is set to premiere his latest documentary, Sly Lives! (The Burden of Black Genius), at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The highly anticipated film delves into the life, music, and cultural impact of funk legend Sly Stone. The festival begins on January 23 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.
A Deep Dive into a Musical Visionary by Questlove
Questlove, who won an Academy Award for his directorial debut Summer of Soul, announced the project’s debut via social media. “It’s official! Sly Lives! (The Burden of Black Genius) will premiere at the 2025 #Sundance Film Festival,” he shared on Instagram. “The film explores the life, music, and cultural impact of Sly Stone, shedding light on the challenges faced by Black artists navigating success.”
The documentary is a personal project for Questlove. Announcing the film in 2022, he reflected on Sly Stone’s profound influence on his career. “It goes beyond saying that Sly’s creative legacy is in my DNA,” Questlove said. “To be given the honor to explore his history and legacy is beyond a dream for me.”
The film’s production team has emphasized its significance. Amit Dey, head of MRC Non-Fiction, stated, “Questlove’s vision, sensitivity, and reverence bring the urgency that Sly’s story and music deserve. We’re excited to work with him to bring Sly’s story to life.”
Questlove first connected with Sly Stone’s work during Summer of Soul, a film that spotlighted the 1969 Harlem Culture Festival. That project highlighted the systemic challenges Black artists faced, themes that appear central to Sly Lives!
Questlove’s slate of upcoming projects extends beyond this film. He is also directing a documentary on Earth, Wind & Fire, which promises exclusive access to the iconic band’s archives.
Sundance attendees are eager to see Sly Lives!, one of many music documentaries debuting this year. The festival’s lineup also includes films on Selena, Jeff Buckley, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono. For Questlove, however, this film is a heartfelt tribute to a legend whose story continues to inspire. “Sly’s influence on popular music and culture is immeasurable,” Questlove noted.