PARK CITY, UTAH – December 15, 2025 – the Sundance Institute today revealed the 54 short films selected for the 2026 Sundance Film festival. thes films, curated into eight distinct programs presented by Ketel One Vodka, showcase a diverse range of genres, styles, and perspectives from filmmakers around the globe. Alongside the contemporary selections, a “Park City legacy” program will feature beloved short films from past festivals, accompanied by appearances from the filmmakers themselves.
A Showcase of Emerging and Established Talent
The 2026 festival promises a vibrant mix of storytelling, with the short film program representing a crucial platform for both emerging and established filmmakers. According to Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming, “Each one [film] is a testament to the creative talent working in the short film space, proving that powerful storytelling is impactful across formats. This year’s program is rich with explorations of belonging, resilience, and the unexpected ways people navigate both the everyday and the extraordinary.”
Heidi zwicker, Senior Programmer for Feature Films and Short Films, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the innovative spirit of the selected works: “The short films in this year’s selection are so different from each other, but what impressed us most is how inventive they are — there’s so much dynamic and exciting filmmaking to enjoy throughout the program.”
Festival Details and Accessibility
The Sundance film Festival will run from January 22 – February 1, 2026, with in-person screenings taking place in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. For those unable to attend in person, an online program will be available from January 29 – February 1, 2026, extending the festival’s reach nationwide. Single film tickets will go on sale January 14 at 10 a.m. MT. More data can be found at festival.sundance.org.
A Global Collection: The 2026 short Film Selections
This year’s selection was highly competitive, drawn from a total of 11,480 submissions – 4,914 from the U.S. and 6,566 international.The final 54 films represent 22 countries and territories,highlighting the festival’s commitment to global cinema.
U.S. Fiction Short Films
- Albatross (Director: Amandine Thomas) – A woman burdened by caregiving finds an unexpected invitation.
- Balloon Animals (Director: Anna Baumgarten) – A whimsical encounter between grocery store employees and a late-night customer.
- Birdie (Director: Praise Odigie Paige) – A 1970s story of a Nigerian refugee family navigating change.
- Callback (Director: Matthew Puccini) – A chaotic night unfolds when a boyfriend books a callback audition.
- The Creature of Darkness (Directors: Lisa Malloy, Ray Whitaker) – A mysterious tale set in Little Egypt, steeped in local folklore.
- Crisis Actor (Director: Lily Platt) – An actress spirals after crashing a support group.
- DON’T TELL MAMA (Director: Chloe Leigh King) – A father-daughter dinner takes an unforgettable turn.
- gender Studies (Director: Jamie Kiernan O’Brien) – A trans student navigates complex relationships and identity.
- The Oracle (Director: JJ Adler) – A psychiatrist’s patient reveals a startling secret.
- Pankaja (Director: Anooya Swamy) – A woman searches for her missing husband in Bangalore.
- Prime (Director: Meagan Coyle) – A trauma victim seeks solace in a utopian farming community.
- Radiant Frost (Director: Hannah Schierbeek) – A drifter’s life is disrupted by a chance encounter.
- Seniors (Director: Adam Curley) – A high school senior grapples with family changes during a college tour.
- Stairs (Director: Riley Donigan) – A woman’s life unravels through an unusual addiction.
- Taga (Director: Jill Marie Sachs) – A cultural clash and ancient evil in the Philippines.
- Together Forever (Director: Gregory Barnes) – A glimpse into the life of a Mormon couple.
International Fiction Short Films
- Agnes (Director: Leah Vlemmiks) – A woman reclaims her agency in the face of family expectations. (U.K.,Canada)
- Blue Heart (Director: Samuel Suffren) – A family awaits news from a loved one pursuing the American dream. (Haiti,France)
- Candy Bar (Director: Nash Edgerton) – A young girl’s encounter with a familiar face. (Australia)
- Faux Bijoux (Director: Jessy Moussallem) – A woman’s ambition leads her down a deceptive path.(France, Lebanon)
- fruit (Buah) (Director: Jen Nee Lim) – A desperate search for a solution in a restrictive society. (Singapore)
- How Brief (Director: Kelly McCormack) – A woman confronts her past on a solitary night. (Canada)
- I’m glad You’re Dead now (Director: Tawfeek Barhom) – Brothers confront buried secrets and a shared history. (France, Greece, Palestine)
- Ivar (Director: Markus Tangre) – A woman’s reality is questioned by a subtle change. (Norway)
- Jazz Infernal (Director: Will Niava) – A young musician searches for his voice in a new city.(canada)
- The Liars (Director: Eduardo Braun Costa) – A desperate act to protect a loved one.(Argentina)
- Marga en el DF (Director: Gabriela Ortega) – A woman’s life is altered in the wake of tragedy. (mexico, U.S.A.)
- Norheimsund (Director: Ana A. Alpizar) – A romance tested by harsh realities. (Cuba, U.S.A.)
- O’Sey Balamma (Director: Raman Nimmala) – A poignant exploration of solitude and connection. (India)
- ¡PIKA! (Director: Alex Fischman Cárdenas) – A man’s desperate search for relief. (Peru)
- Sauna Sickness (Director: Malin Barr) – A chilling encounter on a cold winter night. (Sweden)
- Without Kelly (Utan Kelly) (Director: Lovisa Sirén) – A mother’s struggle with desperation and longing. (Sweden)
- The Worm (Director: Tom Noakes) – A family confronts a young man’s unusual beliefs. (Australia)
Nonfiction Short films
- The Baddest Speechwriter of All (Directors: Ben Proudfoot, stephen Curry) – A revealing portrait of a civil rights lawyer.
- The Boys and the Bees (director: Arielle C.Knight) – A heartwarming story of family and beekeeping.
- The Chimney Sweeper (Director: Jack Raese) – A glimpse into the life of a craftsman and his family history.
- Going sane: The Rise and Fall of the Center For Feeling Therapy (Director: Joey Izzo) – A cautionary tale of a 1970s therapy collective.
- La Tierra del Valor (the Home of the Brave) (Director: Cristina Costantini) – A community’s resilience in the face of adversity.
- Luigi (Director: Liza Mandelup) – A man’s life becomes a public spectacle.
- some Kind of Refuge (Director: Alexandra Kern) – A portrait of a fading community in New Orleans.
- STILL STANDING (Directors: Victor Tadashi Suarez, livia Albeck-Ripka) – A community’s struggle to rebuild after a devastating fire.
- Tuktuit : Caribou (Director: Lindsay Aksarniq McIntyre) – An exploration of the relationship between Inuit people and caribou.
Park City Legacy Program
The Park City Legacy program will offer a nostalgic look back at short films from previous festivals, providing a unique chance for audiences to revisit classic works and celebrate the filmmakers behind them.This program complements the main selection, honoring the festival’s rich history and continued commitment to short-form storytelling.
A Legacy of Support for Independant Filmmaking
The Sundance Film Festival, as a program of the nonprofit Sundance Institute, remains a vital force in supporting independent storytelling. Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, the institute continues to champion innovative voices and provide resources for artists to bring thier visions to life. The festival’s enduring legacy is a testament to the power of independent film and its ability to connect audiences with compelling stories from around the world.
