Sundance reveals 2026 festival short-films

The Sundance Institute has officially unveiled the lineup for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, featuring an impressive collection of 54 short films. These selections highlight a diverse array of genres and styles, encompassing fiction, nonfiction, and animation from filmmakers across the globe. Curated screenings are supported by Ketel One Vodka and will include a special Park City Legacy short film program showcasing favorite films from past editions, complete with filmmaker attendance, enhancing the festival's commitment to celebrating cinematic artistry. Taking place from January 22 to February 1, 2026, the festival will be hosted both in-person in the picturesque settings of Park City and Salt Lake City, as well as providing an accessible at-home program for viewers nationwide from January 29 to February 1. This provides an extensive opportunity for audiences to engage with films that reflect contemporary themes and storytelling techniques. In anticipation of the event, the Sundance Institute had previously announced its Feature Film and Episodic Program, which will also contribute significantly to the festival. Tickets for both in-person and online screenings will go on sale at 10 a.m. Mountain Time on January 14, adding excitement for audiences eager to participate. Throughout the festival, attendees can expect daily screening events, discussions, and panels featuring prominent voices in the filmmaking community, creating a rich festival experience. Notably, the 2026 edition will serve as a tribute to the festival’s founder, Robert Redford, whose vision has profoundly shaped independent cinema. Kim Yutani, the festival's director of programming, expressed enthusiasm for this year's short film selections, remarking that they are a testament to the creative talents within the short film arena. The curated lineup, which emerged from a staggering 11,480 submissions, showcases works from 22 countries, thereby emphasizing the global nature of contemporary storytelling. The Sundance Film Festival has long been a celebrated platform for short films, with a history of launching the careers of acclaimed directors such as Taika Waititi and Lynne Ramsay. The festival continues to uphold its mission to support innovative filmmaking through various year-round initiatives, including the Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour, which allows selected shorts to reach audiences across the U.S. and internationally. This upcoming festival promises to offer an invaluable showcase of creativity, innovation, and cultural expression through the lens of short films.