PARK CITY, UTAH, JANUARY 27, 2026 – A film about Martin Luther King Jr.’s speechwriter took the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival’s Short Film Awards this evening, signaling a strong start to the festival’s second week. The Baddest Speechwriter of All,directed by Ben Proudfoot and produced with Stephen Curry,earned the Grand Jury Prize for its intimate look at a pivotal moment in the civil Rights Movement.
Short Films Shine at sundance, With online Access Starting January 29
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Audiences will have a chance to view manny of the award-winning shorts online from January 29 to February 1. the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which began january 22, continues through February 1 with screenings, talks, and events in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.
- The Baddest speechwriter of All, a documentary, won the Grand Jury Prize.
- Awards were also given for U.S. Fiction, International Fiction, Nonfiction, and animation.
- Special Jury Awards recognized creative vision and acting performances.
- The festival showcases 54 short films selected from over 11,000 submissions.
Grand Jury Prize Winner Offers Fresh Perspective on Civil Rights History
The Baddest Speechwriter of All focuses on the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr.’s lawyer and speechwriter, now 93, offering a new perspective on a defining era. The jury praised the film for its timely message and its portrayal of a “strong willed, hilarious, compassionate man” who played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement.
What role did unsung heroes play in the Civil Rights Movement? This film highlights the often-overlooked contributions of those behind the scenes, like King’s speechwriter, who helped shape a pivotal moment in American history.
Other Award-Winning Shorts Showcase Diverse Storytelling
Lily platt’s Crisis Actor,which took the U.S. fiction award, explores themes of addiction and self-deception through the story of an actress spiraling out of control. Will Niava’s Jazz Infernal, honored in the International fiction category, follows a young Ivorian trumpeter navigating life in Montréal. Arielle C. Knight’s The Boys and the Bees, the Nonfiction winner, offers a tender look at a Black family and their beekeeping farm in rural georgia. Stephen P. Neary’s animated film, Living with a Visionary, received the Animation award for its poignant portrayal of a couple coping with a wife’s hallucinations.
The jury also recognized Don Hertzfeldt’s Paper Trail for its innovative creative vision and Noah Roja and Filippo Carrozza for their compelling performances in The Liars, a story about two young men facing adulthood and unexpected challenges.
The short film jury consisted of A.V. Rockwell, Liv Constable-Maxwell, and Martin Starr.
The festival has a long history of launching the careers of prominent filmmakers, having previously showcased works by directors like Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, and Chloé Zhao. This year’s selection, curated from a pool of 11,480 submissions, continues that tradition.
Previous short film award winners include The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing, The Masterpiece, and World of Tomorrow.
