Sundance 2026: See the 54 Short Films Selected From a Record-Breaking 11,480 Submissions

For independent filmmakers, the road to Park City is often viewed as the ultimate pilgrimage. Today, the Sundance Institute released the map for that journey, unveiling the 54 short films selected for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

The sheer volume of this year’s competition highlights just how vital—and competitive—the short film landscape has become. Curated from a staggering 11,480 submissions, the acceptance rate for the 2026 program sits at roughly 0.47%. Of those submissions, 4,914 originated from the U.S., while 6,566 poured in from international creators, proving that the appetite for short-form storytelling is expanding globally.

The Festival, taking place in person in Park City and Salt Lake City from January 22–February 1, 2026, will once again offer a hybrid model. This is a massive win for filmmakers and industry scouts unable to make the trek to Utah; a curated selection of the program will be available online from January 29–February 1, ensuring these stories reach a nationwide audience.

A Curatorial Focus on Resilience and Invention

Screening across eight curated programs presented by Ketel One Vodka, this year’s lineup features works from 22 countries. The programming team has emphasized that while the styles vary wildly—spanning fiction, nonfiction, and animation—there is a thematic throughline.

Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming, noted that the selection serves as a “testament to the creative talent working in the short film space, proving that powerful storytelling is impactful across formats.”

Yutani elaborated on the emotional core of the 2026 slate: “This year’s program is rich with explorations of belonging, resilience, and the unexpected ways people navigate both the everyday and the extraordinary.”

For indie filmmakers looking to understand what programmers want, Heidi Zwicker, Senior Programmer, offered a key insight: inventiveness. “The short films in this year’s selection are so different from each other, but what impressed us most is how inventive they are,” Zwicker said. “This global lineup runs the gamut when it comes to genres, themes, and the worlds these films bring to life.”

Star Power and Animation Legends

While Sundance is famous for breaking new talent (alumni include Damien Chazelle, Charlotte Regan, and Nikyatu Jusu), this year’s shorts program also features established heavyweights stepping into the short form.

Animation fans will be thrilled to see Don Hertzfeldt—a two-time Grand Jury Prize winner—returning with a World Premiere of his new film, Paper Trail. Hertzfeldt is a titan of indie animation, and his presence signals a strong year for the medium.

In the U.S. Fiction category, the lines between “indie” and “Hollywood” continue to blur with high-profile casting. Tim Heidecker (Tim and Eric) stars in Prime, a dark comedy about a trauma victim joining a utopian farming community. Meanwhile, screen legend James Cromwell leads Living with a Visionary, playing a man caring for his wife amidst her vivid hallucinations.

On the nonfiction side, history buffs should look out for The Baddest Speechwriter of All, which offers an intimate look at Martin Luther King Jr.’s lawyer and speechwriter, now 93 years old.

New for 2026: The ‘Park City Legacy’ Program

In a move that honors the festival’s deep roots in short-form cinema, Sundance is introducing the Park City Legacy short film program.

While the festival often does retrospectives for feature films, this specific spotlight on shorts is a rare treat. The program will feature entertaining selections from past editions, with the filmmakers in attendance. Hosted by Joey Soloway (creator of Transparent and a Sundance short film alum), this “surprise screening” format is designed to celebrate the medium’s history.

For emerging directors, this is a clear signal that Sundance views short films not just as stepping stones to features, but as lasting works of art worthy of retrospective celebration.

The Industry Outlook

The 2026 festival also serves as a tribute to Robert Redford, honoring his vision of independent cinema. For short filmmakers, the festival remains a critical launchpad. Beyond the festival dates, the Institute continues its Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour, which takes a package of festival hits to theaters across the U.S. and internationally—a vital distribution channel for shorts that often struggle to find theatrical exhibition.

How to Watch & Participate

Whether you are looking to scout talent, analyze the current market trends, or simply enjoy world-class cinema, here is what you need to know:

• In-Person Premieres: January 22–27 in Park City.
• Online Screenings: January 29–February 1 (Available nationwide).
• Ticket Sales: Single Film Tickets for both in-person and online screenings go on sale January 14 at 10 a.m. MT.

The full lineup includes 54 titles across U.S. Fiction, International Fiction, Nonfiction, and Animation. To view the complete list of selected films and plan your viewing schedule, visit the official festival hub.

Click here to visit festival.sundance.org