Steph Curry Wins Sundance Film Festival Award for 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All'

The short film chronicles the story of Clarence B. Jones, a key speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 2:47pm

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Steph Curry and Canadian filmmaker Ben Proudfoot took home the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for their short film 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All.' The film reflects on Jones' personal experience of the Civil Rights Movement and his perspective on his involvement in shaping history.

Why it matters

Curry has continued to expand his creative endeavors beyond basketball, using his platform to highlight important historical figures and stories. The award recognition at a prestigious festival like Sundance further establishes Curry as a multifaceted artist and storyteller.

The details

Curry co-directed the short film with Proudfoot, who praised the opportunity to collaborate with 'one of the greatest living athletes and just [a] truly good man.' In 2022, the duo worked together on 'The Queen of Basketball,' a film about Luisa Harris, the first woman drafted by an NBA team.

  • The film won the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2026.
  • Curry and Proudfoot met up at the Warriors' game vs the Utah Jazz on January 28, 2026 to celebrate their win.

The players

Steph Curry

An NBA superstar who has expanded his creative endeavors beyond basketball, co-directing the award-winning short film 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All.'

Ben Proudfoot

A Canadian filmmaker who co-directed the short film 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All' with Steph Curry, praising the opportunity to collaborate with the NBA star.

Clarence B. Jones

An attorney who was a key speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, and the subject of the award-winning short film.

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What they’re saying

“Stephen and I are jumping for joy [him a lot higher than I] with this extraordinary recognition.”

— Ben Proudfoot, Co-director of 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All' (Deadline)

“On a personal note, to share creative duties with Stephen, one of the greatest living athletes and just [a] truly good man, has given me an opportunity to grow as a filmmaker and be part of telling a story I probably never would have learned until Stephen called me.”

— Ben Proudfoot, Co-director of 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All' (Deadline)

What’s next

Curry and Proudfoot plan to celebrate their Sundance Film Festival win after the Warriors' game against the Utah Jazz on January 28, 2026.

The takeaway

Steph Curry's continued expansion into filmmaking and storytelling, highlighted by his Sundance Film Festival award, demonstrates his multifaceted talents and commitment to amplifying important historical figures and narratives beyond the basketball court.