Black Voices Shine at Sundance 2026

Festival showcases diverse range of Black filmmakers, performers, and stories before move to Colorado

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, one of the final editions held in Park City, Utah, featured a strong presence of Black artists and stories. While some films like "If I Go Will They Miss Me" struggled with dated tropes, others like "Lady" and the documentary "Soul Patrol" offered compelling and nuanced portrayals of Black experiences. The festival also included the insightful documentary "Troublemaker: The Story Behind the Mandela Tapes", which used Mandela's own voice to chart his journey. Together, these works reflected the breadth and ongoing challenges of Black storytelling at Sundance, which will relocate to Boulder, Colorado in 2027.

Why it matters

Sundance is one of the premier film festivals in the world, and its programming choices reflect the evolving landscape of cinema. The strong presence of Black voices at the 2026 edition signals a continued commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives, even as the festival prepares to move to a new location. These films provide important windows into the Black experience, challenging stereotypes and offering nuanced, authentic portrayals.

The details

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival featured several notable films by Black creators. "If I Go Will They Miss Me", a family drama set in Watts, Los Angeles, was criticized for falling back on dated tropes in its portrayal of a troubled Black father. In contrast, "Lady", the debut feature from Nigerian filmmaker Olive Nwosu, offered a vibrant, gritty look at a young, independent cab driver navigating a male-dominated profession in Lagos. The documentary "Soul Patrol" chronicled the experiences of Black Vietnam War veterans in the first all-Black Special Operations unit, while "Troublemaker: The Story Behind the Mandela Tapes" used Mandela's own voice to chart his journey from youth to presidency.

  • The 2026 Sundance Film Festival took place in Park City, Utah.
  • Sundance will relocate to Boulder, Colorado starting in 2027.

The players

Jessica Gabriel

Actress who played the lead role of Lady in the film of the same name.

Olive Nwosu

Nigerian filmmaker who directed the feature film "Lady".

J.M. Harper

Director of the documentary "Soul Patrol", which chronicles the experiences of Black Vietnam War veterans.

Antoine Fuqua

Director of the documentary "Troublemaker: The Story Behind the Mandela Tapes".

Nelson Mandela

Former President of South Africa whose life and legacy are explored in "Troublemaker: The Story Behind the Mandela Tapes".

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What they’re saying

“Though the cinematography, production design, and music are strong, the script's dated portrayal of Black fatherhood drags the film down.”

— Dwight Brown, Film Critic (pridepublishinggroup.com)

“The ensemble cast of women is lively and authentic. Unfortunately, the film's final act leans into overwrought drama, undermining the strength of its setup.”

— Dwight Brown, Film Critic (pridepublishinggroup.com)

“The film's resonance is unmistakable, particularly as Mandela's reflections on injustice, protest, and democracy echo current global struggles.”

— Dwight Brown, Film Critic (pridepublishinggroup.com)

What’s next

Sundance will relocate to Boulder, Colorado starting in 2027, marking the end of an era for the festival in Park City, Utah.

The takeaway

The strong presence of Black voices at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival underscores the festival's commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives, even as it prepares to move to a new location. These films offer nuanced, authentic portrayals that challenge stereotypes and provide important windows into the Black experience.