Sundance’25 Spotlight: Composer T. Griffin

T. (Todd) Griffin, is a Sundance festival mainstay with 16 consecutive years at Sundance, returns with two projects: MIDDLETOWN, a documentary with a nostalgic score reflecting the early 1990s, and FOLKTALES, a haunting, atmospheric soundtrack for a Norwegian coming-of-age film.

MIDDLETOWN
Directors Jesse Moss & Amanda McBaine

1991. Upstate New York. A group of teenage misfits, inspired by a renegade English teacher, embark on a student film project and uncover a vast conspiracy that is poisoning the ground beneath their feet. Banding together to confront the indifferent adults, corrupt politicians and a violent criminal organization threatening their small town, they produce an investigative documentary that causes shockwaves in their community. MIDDLETOWN is a coming-of-age story based on exclusive access to hundreds of hours of candid, humorous and nostalgic video outtakes, and the cooperation of Fred Isseks and his intrepid students as they reckon — thirty years later — with a defining event in their lives and a remarkable story of civic courage.

FOLKTALES
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady

Weary of the often crushing pressures felt by members of Gen Z, three teenagers make the daring decision to leave the comforts of home to enroll in the Pasvik Folkehøgskole in the wilds of northern Norway. Dropped in the arctic wilderness for one year, Hege, Romain, and Bjørn Tore must rely on themselves and a pack of loyal sled dogs as they take the daunting step from childhood to adulthood. Freed of technology, social media, and the noise of modern life, this brave trio learn to face themselves for the first time – and experience an unexpected, wondrous transformation.

Griffin has been known for his ability to craft immersive, emotionally resonant scores. During his time at Sundance, I had the opportunity to speak with Griffin about his longtime collaboration with filmmakers, working on these two different yet very intriguing films, and more.