The Sundance Institute has announced 90 feature films, 54 short films, and seven episodic projects set to participate in the 2026 Sundance Film Festival curated from 11,480 submissions. Of these submissions, 4,914 were from the U.S. and 6,566 were international with works from 22 countries and territories represented in the lineup. This official selection includes […]
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The Sundance Institute has announced 90 feature films, 54 short films, and seven episodic projects set to participate in the 2026 Sundance Film Festival curated from 11,480 submissions. Of these submissions, 4,914 were from the U.S. and 6,566 were international with works from 22 countries and territories represented in the lineup. This official selection includes one African title and two others with African narratives. These short films will be screened at the short film section of the prestigious 2026 Sundance Film Festival running from January 22 – February 1, in Park City and Salt Lake City, with online screenings showing from January 29 – February 1.
The African films include Rami Jarboui’s animated film The Bird’s Placebo from Tunisia. The film is written by Jarboui and produced by Sarra Ben Hassen, Ramses Mahfoudh and Lotfi Mahfoudh. In a marginalized Tunisian neighborhood, a young man in a wheelchair dreams of crossing the Mediterranean Sea until a surreal encounter shifts his path. Yassine Bardaa, Fatrma Falhi, Mohamed and Hassine Grayaa are credited as cast members. The Bird’s Placebo will be having its North American Premiere at the festival.
Birdie written and directed by Praise Odigie Paige, and produced by Yety Akinola, Praise Odigie Paige, Noni Limar, and Nat Majette will have its World Premiere. In 1970, a 16-year-old Nigerian refugee in Virginia tries to keep her family together when a newcomer draws her sister away. The cast includes Eniola Abioro, Precious Maduanusi and Sheila Chukwulozie.
A still from Jazz Infernal by Will Niava, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.
Will Niava’s Jazz Infernal from Canada follows Koffi, a young lvorian trumpeter, who arrives in Montréal with nothing but the legacy of his father to guide him. Lost between the city’s noise and the silence of his past, he must confront his roots to finally find his voice. Jazz Infernal which will have its U.S. Premiere has Ange-Eric N’guessan, Alexis Belhumeur and Kalombo Kasongo as cast members.
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