Three Moments We Want From The 2026 Sundance Film Festival!

 

written by Evan L. Jackson 

Three moments that we want from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival might be wishful thinking or downright something we see in our crystal ball! With its last run in Park City before it goes to Boulder, Colorado it should end its tenure there with a bang! So what better way for us to make predictions and moments that’ll excite the film world.

1. Michael B. Jordan honors and presents Ryan Coogler with the Visionary Award at the Sundance Film Festival Gala 

Such a dynamic duo between Michael B. Jordan and filmmaker Ryan Coogler, with four films together they’ve cemented themselves in Hollywood as the very best. With their ‘Black Panther’ film earning Ryan Coogler an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. But it all started either their first collaboration together in “Fruitvale Station” with Michael B. Jordan portraying the real life Oscar Grant and Ryan’s first time directing a full length feature. Making its debut at Sundance Film Festival this put both of them on the map. And continued through their Rocky revival, Creed franchise of films. Ryan Coogler directing the first installment, executive producing the subsequent two follow ups with Michael B. Jordan starring in all of them and directing Creed III. How awesome would this be to see Michael B. Jordan honor Ryan Coogler on stage with one of Sundance Fim Festival’s prestigious awards?! Come on now. Let’s make this full circle moment happen.

2. Penelope Cruz taking on a role of a lifetime in an independent film 

Penelope Cruz’s last dip into the pool of Awards Season was her GOTHAM Award nominated role in Michael Mann’s Ferrari. Although the film itself got little buzz it gave me an idea. Cruz is such a powerhouse of an actress to see her command an independent film would be grand. Although Ferrari was independently financed it didn’t have the cache of most independent films are afforded. Indie films especially those coming to Sundance inherently have this charm about them that’s undeniable. Add Cruz to this mix who is already an Oscar winner then BOOM! Let the magic ensue. 

3. Yara Shahidi starring in a pure drama that isn’t a coming of age story 

Yara has fallen into the trope of the post-sitcom star making cute young adult dramedies. But what I really want from her and Sundance Film Festival in 2026 is her to be in a straight up drama. And not a coming of age story but a film that puts us right in the mix, stretching Yara’s acting muscles to the max. How fun would that be to see as of recently I haven’t seen her taking on much roles like this. To see her in a film like this would be a dream.