Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors star, won the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday night in Park City, Utah. He co-directed the winning film, 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All,' with Canadian filmmaker Ben Proudfoot. The award recognizes their documentary about Clarence B. Jones, a lawyer and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Background
Stephen Curry has built a name beyond basketball. The four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP now steps into filmmaking with this award. He teamed up with Ben Proudfoot, who runs Breakwater Studios. Their companies, Unanimous Media for Curry and Breakwater for Proudfoot, produced the film. Erick Peyton also helped as a producer.
This is not their first project together. In 2022, they worked on 'The Queen of Basketball,' a short film about Lusia Harris. Harris scored the first basket in Olympic women's basketball and was the first woman drafted by an NBA team. Curry and Shaquille O'Neal served as executive producers on that one, which won an Oscar. Proudfoot directed it. That success set the stage for their new film.
Sundance takes place each year in Park City. It draws filmmakers from around the world. The 2026 festival featured short films from 54 entries in the competition. A jury picked the winners. The group included director A.V. Rockwell, known for 'A Thousand and One'; Liv Constable-Maxwell, a publishing director at Mack; and actor Martin Starr, from shows like 'Silicon Valley' and films like 'Spider-Man: Homecoming.'
Curry's film focuses on Clarence B. Jones. Now 93 years old, Jones worked closely with King during the Civil Rights Movement. He helped draft key speeches and advised the leader. The film gives Jones a chance to look back on those days. It covers the personal toll of the work and some lesser-known facts about history-making moments.
Key Details
'The Baddest Speechwriter of All' runs as a short documentary. It world premiered at Sundance. Viewers can watch it online through the festival's portal from Thursday through Sunday. The jury praised the film for its mix of humor and deep emotion. They noted its fresh take on a key time in U.S. history.
"This film implores us to take action with a message that is timeless and timely. Through the eyes of its subject, we find one of the most important moments in modern history has a new perspective. For its portrait of a strong willed, hilarious, compassionate man, and the instrumental role he played in kicking ass, nonviolently, against division and hate, the Short Film Grand Jury Prize goes to 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All.'" – Sundance Short Film Jury
Ben Proudfoot spoke about working with Curry. He said the NBA star helped him grow as a filmmaker. Proudfoot learned about Jones' story through Curry. Without that call from Curry, he might not have told this tale.
"Stephen and I are jumping for joy [him a lot higher than I] with this extraordinary recognition." – Ben Proudfoot
Curry did not attend the award ceremony. He stayed focused on his NBA season. On Wednesday night, his Warriors played the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, not far from Park City. The team won that game. Curry plans to celebrate the award later with Proudfoot.
Film's Civil Rights Focus
Jones' role in history stands out. He drafted parts of King's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech. The film explores how Jones balanced his work with personal challenges. It shows the inside view of the movement. Jones reflects on nonviolent fights against hate and division. His story adds detail to events many know from textbooks.
This season, Curry averages 27.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and five assists per game. At 37 years old, he remains a top player for Golden State. The Warriors sit in playoff contention in the Western Conference.
The Sundance short film category awarded other prizes too. 'Crisis Actor' took the U.S. Fiction award. 'Jazz Infernal' won for International Fiction. 'The Boys and the Bees' got the Nonfiction prize. Animation went to 'Living with a Visionary.' Special jury awards honored 'Paper Trail' for creative vision and acting in another film.
What This Means
Curry's win bridges sports and film worlds. It shows how athletes use their platform for stories outside games. His involvement brings attention to civil rights history. More people now learn about Clarence B. Jones and his work with King.
For Sundance, the award highlights strong short films. These shorts often lead to bigger projects. Past winners have gone on to Oscars and wider releases. Proudfoot's track record suggests this film could follow suit.
Curry expands his résumé. From NBA titles to Oscars as producer to now a Sundance prize as director. It proves his reach into entertainment. Fans see a side of him focused on social issues and storytelling.
Jones, at 93, gets a late spotlight. His reflections remind viewers of the Civil Rights Movement's human side. The film stresses action against division, a message that fits ongoing talks about equality.
Proudfoot grows his list of awards. Working with Curry opens doors. Their partnership may lead to more films. Curry's media company, Unanimous Media, aims to tell diverse stories. This win boosts that goal.
Basketball fans in the Bay Area cheer Curry's off-court moves. The Warriors organization supports his projects. It keeps him connected to fans beyond the court.
Sundance continues through the week. Other awards and screenings fill the schedule. Park City buzzes with filmmakers and stars. Curry's absence did not dim the film's success.
The online portal lets more people see the shorts. It extends the festival's reach. Viewers worldwide can watch 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All' and judge for themselves.
Curry returns to NBA action soon. His next games test the Warriors' playoff push. The award sits as a new trophy amid his basketball ones. It marks another high point in a long career.
