The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, scheduled to take place both in-person and online from January 22 to February 1 in Park City, Utah, will feature a diverse and experienced group of jurors, including celebrated actor Tatiana Maslany. The announcement of this star-studded Sundance jury highlights the festival’s commitment to honoring bold independent cinema through their selection process.
The festival’s jury is responsible for evaluating films across multiple categories, including U.S. Dramatic, U.S. Documentary, World Cinema, NEXT, and Short Film competitions. This year’s panels bring together filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals with rich histories at Sundance and wider creative accomplishments, ensuring expert and passionate judgment of the festival’s competition entries.
Renowned Artists Form the U.S. Dramatic Competition Jury
The U.S. Dramatic Competition jury boasts a lineup of creatively influential members who have all demonstrated a strong connection to independent filmmaking. Among them, Janicza Bravo stands out as a director and writer known for her acclaimed film Zola, which debuted at Sundance in 2020. Her previous work, Lemon, also premiered at Sundance in 2017, and her television directing credits include the limited series The Listeners for BBC.
Nisha Ganatra joins this jury as well. She gained recognition for directing films like Late Night (which premiered at Sundance in 2019 and starred Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson) and the box office hit Freakier Friday. Ganatra’s career began with the award-winning debut feature Chutney Popcorn, which collected honors at festivals such as Berlin and Outfest.
Azazel Jacobs, another notable jury member, is an award-winning filmmaker whose works include the critically praised His Three Daughters and French Exit. Both films received industry acclaim, with His Three Daughters securing Gotham and Spirit Awards. Jacobs’ earlier features, including Momma’s Man and Terri, also premiered at Sundance.
Other participants in this jury include Natalia Almada, Jennie Livingston, Ana Katz, So Yong Kim, Toni Kamau, Kirsten Schaffer, Martin Starr, A.V. Rockwell, and Nicole Perlman, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives to the evaluation process.
Established Figures Shape the U.S. Documentary Jury
The U.S. Documentary Competition jury is headed by distinguished documentary filmmaker Natalia Almada, a 2012 MacArthur “Genius” fellow. Almada has won Sundance’s Directing Award in the U.S. Documentary category twice, for El General and Users. Her extensive filmography includes works premiered at prestigious festivals such as Cannes and Tribeca. She splits her time between Mexico City and San Francisco.
Film critic Justin Chang, Pulitzer Prize winner for criticism in 2024 and contributor to The New Yorker and NPR’s Fresh Air, also takes part. Chang chairs the National Society of Film Critics and contributes to programming at the New York Film Festival.
Jennie Livingston, director of the seminal documentary Paris Is Burning, which won Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize in 1991 and remains highly influential, completes the documentary jury. She continues to create films exploring queer identity and social issues.
World Cinema Jury Brings International Flair and Insight
The World Cinema Dramatic Competition jury features filmmaker Ana Katz, who has directed and written films recognized at Cannes, Sundance, and other international festivals. Katz is also involved in theater and television direction across platforms like Hulu and Netflix.
So Yong Kim, a Korean American director with multiple Sundance premieres, has been honored with a Special Jury Prize and directed television episodes for networks including ABC and HBO. She contributes a rich understanding of cross-cultural and socially resonant storytelling.
Actor Tatiana Maslany, known for her Emmy-winning lead performance in Orphan Black, joins this esteemed jury. She has over three decades of screen credits, including recent films directed by Osgood Perkins and appearances in Apple TV+ projects. Maslany’s early recognition at Sundance came with a Special Jury Prize for her role in Grown Up Movie Star in 2010.
Additional Juries and Festival Roles Highlight Diverse Expertise
The World Cinema Documentary Competition jury includes producer Toni Kamau, recognized for her Emmy and Peabody nominations and her work on acclaimed documentaries such as Softie and The Battle for Laikipia. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Academy’s Documentary Branch. Vietnamese American filmmaker Bao Nguyen, whose films have premiered internationally and received numerous awards, also sits on this jury alongside Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of Women in Film. Schaffer brings significant experience in advancing gender equity and inclusive practices in the industry.
The NEXT Competition jury brings a sense of continuity and deep Sundance expertise, featuring John Cooper, the festival’s director from 2010 to 2020 and founding artistic director of the True West Film Center, along with Trevor Groth, former Sundance director of programming now working with 30WEST to support creative projects globally.
Short Film Competition jurors include Liv Constable-Maxwell, who has collaborated with filmmakers like Sofia Coppola and Chloé Zhao in publishing cinema-related books, A.V. Rockwell, Sundance’s U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize winner for her debut feature A Thousand and One, and actor Martin Starr, known for projects at Sundance including Honey Boy.
The Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize jury, intertwining science and the arts, comprises director Sophie Barthes, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Heather Berlin, Nobel laureate astronomer Dr. Andrea Ghez, filmmaker and producer Ari Handel, and screenwriter Nicole Perlman, credited with major franchise scripts. Their combined expertise evaluates films intersecting science, technology, and human experience.
Festival Leadership Praises the Jury’s Strength and Vision
In a statement reflecting on the selection, Eugene Hernandez, Sundance Film Festival Director and Public Programming head, emphasized the jury’s
“rare depth of creative conviction and exceptional range,”
noting they embody
“curiosity, rigor, and a deep respect for bold storytelling,”
critical qualities for shaping the future of independent cinema.
“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. 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.”
– Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming
Kim Yutani, the Festival’s Director of Programming, reflected on the meaningful connection between the jurors and the festival’s history, calling it
“a full-circle way to honor 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.”
“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 honor 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.”
– Kim Yutani, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival
Audience Engagement and Awards Announcement
Beyond the juries, the 2026 Sundance Film Festival will engage in-person audiences by allowing them to vote for the Audience Awards across the U.S. Competition, World Competition, and NEXT sections. Attendees can also choose the Festival Favorite from all eligible feature film screenings. Winners of these audience-driven awards will be revealed at the Awards Ceremony on January 30, 2026.
The festival’s hybrid model allows for broad access and vibrant participation, with screenings and events available both online and on location in Park City, further reinforcing Sundance’s role as a premier platform for independent film discovery and celebration.
Significance of the 2026 Jury Composition for Independent Cinema
The inclusion of Tatiana Maslany and other accomplished artists on the 2026 Sundance jury signals the festival’s dedication to diversity, innovation, and excellence in film evaluation. These jurors represent a generation of filmmakers and creatives who are fiercely passionate and deeply connected with independent storytelling. Their decisions will influence which films gain recognition and momentum, shaping the careers of emerging talent and the future landscape of cinema.
As Sundance continues to champion fresh voices and courageous filmmaking, this jury’s collective expertise and spirited approach will play a crucial role in spotlighting the bold narratives and artists who challenge the status quo and redefine the art of film.
