- Sundance Institute announced the 17-member jury for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
- The Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize has been awarded to In The Blink of An Eye.
- Jurors include filmmakers, critics, scientists, and past Sundance alumni.
Jury highlights
The Sundance Institute revealed the jury that will determine awards for artistic and cinematic excellence at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The 17-member panel brings together filmmakers, critics, scientists, and industry leaders with deep ties to independent cinema.
Notable jurors include Janicza Bravo, Nisha Ganatra, Azazel Jacobs (U.S. Dramatic); Natalia Almada, Justin Chang, Jennie Livingston (U.S. Documentary); Ana Katz, So Yong Kim, Tatiana Maslany (World Cinema Dramatic); Toni Kamau, Bao Nguyen, Kirsten Schaffer (World Cinema Documentary); and A.V. Rockwell, Liv Constable-Maxwell, Martin Starr (Short Film Program). John Cooper and Trevor Groth will judge the NEXT section.
Alfred P. Sloan Prize and science on screen
The Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize jury — Sophie Barthes, Dr. Heather Berlin, Dr. Andrea Ghez, Ari Handel, and Nicole Perlman — deliberated ahead of the Festival and awarded the prize to In The Blink of An Eye, directed by Andrew Stanton and written by Colby Day. The Sloan prize honors films that explore science or technology themes or feature scientists, engineers, or mathematicians as central characters.
Festival directors emphasized the jury’s collective experience. “This year’s jury represents a rare depth of creative conviction and exceptional range,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director of the Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming. Kim Yutani, Director of Programming, noted the choice of jurors honors artists and industry members who have long contributed to Sundance’s legacy.
What this means for filmmakers and audiences
The jury will select winners announced during the Awards Ceremony at The Ray Theatre on Friday, January 30. In-person attendees also vote for Audience Awards across U.S. and World Competitions and the Festival Favorite, with results revealed at the same ceremony.
The jury’s mixed backgrounds signal an emphasis on both craft and diverse perspectives. With critics like Justin Chang, established filmmakers like Jennie Livingston and Nisha Ganatra, and cross-disciplinary voices such as Nobel laureate Dr. Andrea Ghez (serving on the Sloan jury), the Festival’s awards season promises an eclectic mix of choices.
Festival logistics and ticketing
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival runs January 22–February 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with an online at-home program available January 29–February 1. Single-film tickets for in-person and online screenings went on sale January 14. For complete programming, ticketing, and schedule details, visit festival.sundance.org.
Quick take
The announced jury reflects Sundance’s commitment to artist-driven storytelling and inclusive, risk-taking cinema. With the Alfred P. Sloan Prize already awarded and the full jury set, attention now turns to the films competing for top honors at this year’s Festival.
Image Referance: https://www.sundance.org/blogs/2026-sundance-film-festival-unveils-jury-members/
