Sundance Film Festival reveals 2026 jury lineup for major competition categories

The Sundance Institute has officially revealed the jury members who will be held responsible for recognising artistic and cinematic excellence at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, assembling together an accomplished team of filmmakers, critics, artists, and cultural contributors.

The festival is set to take place from January 22 to February 1, with in-person screenings and events hosted in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Audiences across the United States will also have the opportunity to participate through the festival’s at-home online programme, which begins from January 29 to February 1.

A Jury Shaped by Independent Storytelling

This year’s 17-member jury presents a wide range of creative backgrounds across movie, art, and culture. According to Sundance, the team is “united by a deep commitment to artist-driven storytelling and informed by decades of creating, championing, and engaging with independent work.”

Beyond the main competition jurors, the festival has also confirmed five specialists who will be made responsible to oversee the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, a prestigious honor celebrating movies that explore scientific concepts. These jurors each contribute expertise at the intersection of narrative and science, with Sundance citing that “each of whom brings a specialised expertise to the intersection of science and story.”

Full List of 2026 Sundance Jury Members

• The U.S. Dramatic Competition will be examined by Janicza Bravo, Nisha Ganatra, and Azazel Jacobs.
• The U.S. Documentary Competition jury includes Natalia Almada, Justin Chang, and Jennie Livingston.
• For the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, jurors included Ana Katz, So Yong Kim, and Tatiana Maslany.
• The World Cinema Documentary Competition will be evaluated by Toni Kamau, Bao Nguyen, and Kirsten Schaffer.
• The Short Film Program Competition jury is composed of Liv Constable-Maxwell, A.V. Rockwell, and Martin Starr.
• The NEXT section, which emphasizes bold and experimental filmmaking, will be examined by John Cooper and Trevor Groth.

Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize Winners

The jury responsible for Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize completed its deliberations ahead of the festival and chosen In The Blink of An Eye as this year’s recipient. The movie was directed by Andrew Stanton, written by Colby Day, and features Rashida Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Daveed Diggs.

This award is given to an “outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme or depicting a scientist, engineer, or mathematician as a major character.”
The Sloan Prize jury includes Sophie Barthes, Dr. Heather Berlin, Dr. Andrea Ghez, Ari Handel, and Nicole Perlman.

Festival Leadership on the 2026 Jury

Festival leadership highlighted the importance of this year’s jury selection.

“This year’s jury represents a rare depth of creative conviction and exceptional range, made up of artists and thinkers who know what it means to take risks,” stated Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming.
“They bring curiosity, rigor, and a deep respect for bold storytelling, qualities that are essential to discovering the films that will define the future of independent cinema.”

Programming director Kim Yutani emphasized the symbolic significance of the selections, citing:
“Planning this special year, it felt especially meaningful to invite a slate of jurors who have a rich history with the festival, all deeply rooted in the creative community they will now help champion.”
“It’s a full-circle way to honour many of the artists, partners and industry members who have played such a pivotal role in shaping the Sundance Film Festival’s legacy for more than 40 years.”

FAQs:

Q1: When will the 2026 Sundance Film Festival take place?
The festival will begin from January 22 to February 1, 2026. Select movies will also be available online from January 29 to February 1.

Q2: Where is the Sundance Film Festival held?
In-person events will happen in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. The festival also provides a digital viewing choice for U.S. audiences.