Questlove‘s documentary about the life of funk legend Sly Stone will make its debut next month at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Announced in 2022, SLY LIVES! – the follow-up to Quest’s Academy Award-winning directorial debut Summer of Soul – will premiere at the annual Utah-based festival when it kicks off on January 23.

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“It’s time good people. It’s official! SLY LIVES! ( AKA The Burden of Black Genius) will premiere at the 2025 #Sundance Film Festival,” Quest captioned his announcement on Instagram.

He also added the film’s official description: “Directed by Oscar-Winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the film explores the life, music, and cultural impact of Sly Stone, shedding light on the challenges faced by Black artists navigating success.”

When announcing the project in 2022, Questlove said: “It goes beyond saying that Sly’s creative legacy is in my DNA… it’s a black musician’s blueprint. To be given the honor to explore his history and legacy is beyond a dream for me. Sly’s influence on popular music and culture as a whole is immeasurable, and what his career represents is a parable that transcends time and place.”

Amit Dey, head of MRC Non-Fiction, added: “Questlove’s vision, sensitivity and reverence brings the urgency that Sly’s story and music deserve, and we’re excited to be working with him to bring Sly’s story to life.”

Questlove Credits Common & Pete Rock With Inspiring The Roots To Finish New Album
Questlove Credits Common & Pete Rock With Inspiring The Roots To Finish New Album

The Roots drummer’s initial connection with Sly on film came in Summer of Soul, which spotlighted the 1969 Harlem Culture Festival – a festival that didn’t receive the type of mainstream appreciation or coverage as another famous 1969 festival, Woodstock.

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In September, it was announced that Questlove will also be helming a documentary about the iconic group Earth, Wind & Fire.

The film, for which no title has been revealed, will reportedly feature “exclusive” access to the group’s archives, and has the support of the band and the estate of EWF founder Maurice White, who died in 2016.

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“Having been baptized in the Afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly, I’ve learned and rediscovered myself in the process. I’m so excited to be part of the process of preserving their positive but very vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle,” Quest said.