The Sundance Institute has officially unveiled the jury members who will determine the top honors at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, reinforcing the Festival’s reputation as a cornerstone of independent cinema. The announcement, made on January 13, 2026, from Park City, Utah, introduces a diverse and accomplished group of artists, critics, scientists, and cultural leaders tasked with recognizing cinematic excellence across the Festival’s competitive sections.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will take place January 22 through February 1, 2026, with in-person screenings in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Audiences nationwide will also be able to participate through the Festival’s online program, running January 29 through February 1. Single film tickets for both in-person and online screenings go on sale Wednesday, January 14, at 10 a.m. MT.
A Jury Rooted in Independent Storytelling
This year’s jury comprises 17 members representing a wide range of creative disciplines and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to artist-driven storytelling. Collectively, the jurors bring decades of experience as filmmakers, performers, critics, producers, and curators, many of whom have longstanding ties to Sundance.
Complementing the main jury is a five-member panel responsible for awarding the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, which honors films that meaningfully explore science, technology, or scientific figures. Winners across all sections will be announced during the Festival’s Awards Ceremony on Friday, January 30, at The Ray Theatre.
U.S. Dramatic and Documentary Competition Juries
U.S. Dramatic and Documentary Competition JuriesThe U.S. Dramatic Competition jury includes Janicza Bravo, Nisha Ganatra, and Azazel Jacobs, each known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Bravo gained critical acclaim for Zola and has maintained a strong presence at Sundance since her debut feature Lemon. Ganatra’s work spans independent film and major studio releases, including Late Night and record-breaking comedy Freakier Friday. Jacobs, whose recent film His Three Daughters earned major industry awards, is also a familiar Sundance voice with multiple premieres at the Festival.
For the U.S. Documentary Competition, the jury consists of Natalia Almada, Justin Chang, and Jennie Livingston. Almada, a MacArthur Fellow and two-time Sundance Directing Award winner, brings extensive documentary experience. Chang, a Pulitzer Prize–winning critic for The New Yorker, offers a deep critical perspective, while Livingston, director of the landmark documentary Paris Is Burning, represents a vital historical connection to the Festival’s legacy.
World Cinema Competition Juries
The World Cinema Dramatic Competition jury includes Ana Katz, So Yong Kim, and Tatiana Maslany. Katz is a celebrated Argentine filmmaker whose work has screened at Sundance, Cannes, and Karlovy Vary. Kim, an award-winning Korean American filmmaker, has premiered multiple films at Sundance, including In Between Days and Treeless Mountain. Maslany, an Emmy Award–winning actor best known for Orphan Black, brings both performance and Festival experience, having earned a Sundance Special Jury Prize early in her career.
The World Cinema Documentary Competition jury features Toni Kamau, Bao Nguyen, and Kirsten Schaffer. Kamau is an Emmy- and Peabody-nominated producer whose work explores global sociopolitical issues. Nguyen is a Sundance mainstay with acclaimed documentaries such as Be Water and The Greatest Night in Pop. Schaffer, CEO of Women in Film, adds a vital advocacy perspective focused on equity and inclusive storytelling.
Short Film and NEXT Section Juries
The Short Film Program Competition jury includes Liv Constable-Maxwell, A.V. Rockwell, and Martin Starr. Constable-Maxwell is a publishing leader in cinema and visual art, collaborating with filmmakers and studios worldwide. Rockwell, whose debut feature A Thousand and One won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize in 2023, represents a powerful new generation of filmmakers. Starr, a well-known actor from Freaks and Geeks and Silicon Valley, brings years of experience across film and television, including multiple Sundance projects.
Serving on the NEXT section jury are John Cooper and Trevor Groth, two influential figures in Sundance’s history. Cooper, former Festival Director, and Groth, former Director of Programming, helped shape Sundance into a global platform for emerging voices and innovative storytelling.
Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize Jury
The Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize jury brings together leaders from both film and science. Members include filmmakers Sophie Barthes and Nicole Perlman, neuroscientist Dr. Heather Berlin, Nobel Prize–winning astronomer Dr. Andrea Ghez, and producer Ari Handel. The jury awarded the 2026 Sloan Prize to In The Blink of An Eye, directed by Andrew Stanton and written by Colby Day, recognizing its thoughtful integration of science and storytelling.
Festival Leadership on the 2026 Jury
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez praised the jury’s creative range, noting their shared curiosity, rigor, and respect for bold storytelling. Programming Director Kim Yutani emphasized the significance of inviting jurors with deep connections to Sundance, calling it a “full-circle” moment that honors the Festival’s 40-year legacy and creative community.
Audience Participation and Awards
In-person attendees will once again play a key role by voting for the Audience Awards in the U.S. Competition, World Competition, and NEXT sections. Festival-goers can also vote for the Festival Favorite, chosen from all eligible in-person feature screenings. Audience Awards will be announced during the January 30 ceremony.
A Celebration of Independent Cinema Ahead
With an exceptional jury lineup and expanded access through in-person and online screenings, the 2026 Sundance Film Festival promises to celebrate bold voices and innovative storytelling from around the world. As ticket sales open and anticipation builds, Sundance once again positions itself at the forefront of independent cinema’s future.
Visit the Sundance Film Festival website for more information here.
Stay tunned with me:
She’s All Over the Place Podcast
Click on Instagram
About me here