Sundance 2026 Shorts: Summaries and Reviews

In 2026, Sundance hosted 54 short films and while we didn’t cover them all, but here are the ones which caught our eye.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.

Our favorites are marked with an asterisk *. Images courtesy of Sundance Institute, featured image photo by Maya Dehlin.

  • Director(s): Ana A. Alpizar
  • Writer(s): Ana A. Alpizar

Overview

A young woman in Cuba, not destitute, but with minimal opportunities, takes full advantage of a Nordic man who has a wandering interest in local girls.

  • Director(s): Jill Marie Sachs
  • Writer(s): Jill Marie Sachs

Overview

Vivi originally went to the Philippines to connect with the land, the people, and a culture she didn’t get to grow up in. However, between her peers and something lurking at night, this trip will be memorable for reasons she didn’t expect.

  • Director(s): Adam Curley
  • Writer(s): Adam Curley

Overview

On the day of his college tour, Tom’s family blows up due to a phone call; his dad, Pete, made that his mom, Nancy, overheard.

  • Director(s): Jamie Kiernan O’Brien
  • Writer(s): Jamie Kiernan O’Brien

Overview

Maisie has a crush on her class’ TA, and while another young woman may have his attention now, Maisie is undeterred.

  • Director(s): Stephen P. Neary
  • Writer(s): Stephen P. Neary

Overview

Living With A Visionary, the Short Film Jury Award: Animation, earned its accolade and will undoubtedly make you cry as you watch an Ellie and Carl (Up) styled romance.

  • Director(s): Lily Platt
  • Writer(s): Lily Platt

Overview

Celine helps doctors learn how to deal with patients and shows herself to be not only dramatic at work, but also a bit in her personal life.

  • Director(s): Eduardo Braun Costa
  • Writer(s): Eduardo Braun Costa

Overview

Two slightly mischievous boys try to get into “Me, Myself and Irene” one way or another.

  • Director(s): Gregory Barnes
  • Writer(s): Gregory Barnes

Overview

A Mormon couple gets married, but being inexperienced might be the least of their worries.

  • Director(s): Nash Edgerton
  • Writer(s): Damon Herriman

Overview

A young girl walks up to a man at the movies noting he looks like her dad. Surely, nothing will taint this sweet moment, right?

  • Director(s): Anna Baumgarten
  • Writer(s): Anna Baumgarten

Overview

In this 2000s/early 2010s styled comedy, two grocery market workers, near closing, are killing time as one last customer shows up.

  • Director(s): Chloe Leigh King
  • Writer(s): Chloe Leigh King

Overview

An Eastern European father tries to maintain a connection with his mixed, Black American daughter while going through a trying time in his marriage.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.