A still from 'Luigi 'by Liza Mandelup, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival short film program. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Benjamin Whatley Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment The cultural obsession with accused killer Luigi Mangione and a new project co-directed by NBA superstar Steph Curry are among the short film selections at next month's Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Institute revealed today all 54 shorts selected for the festival that will screen in programs presented by Ketel One Vodka. The news comes on the heels of the feature-length and episodic selections announced last week. The Mangione short, titled Luigi, comes from director Liza Mandelup, who previously screened Jawline at the festival. "When Luigi Mangione is charged with murder, he becomes the subject of fevered obsession," reads the official Sundance description. "Through letters, fantasies and conspiracies, strangers turn Luigi into a cultural sensation and a canvas for their rage, desire and misplaced hope." Related Stories General News Ed Harris and Gyula Gazdag Set to Receive Robert Redford Luminary Award at Sundance Institute Gala Movies Sundance Officials Reveal First Wave of Screenings, Events and Robert Redford Tributes for 2026 Fest Curry, who was the subject of the Apple original film Underrated which screened at Sundance, teamed with two time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot to direct The Baddest Speechwriter of All. "Now 93, Martin Luther King Jr.'s lawyer and speechwriter reflects on the personal cost and surprising truths of making history, offering an intimate insider's view of the Civil Rights Movement," reads the fest description referencing Dr. Clarence B. Jones. Dr. Clarence B. Jones appears in The Baddest Speechwriter of All directed by Proudfoot and Curry. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Brandon Somerhalder Another selection from the nonfiction category will investigate the aftermath of January's catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles. Still Standing, from directors and producers Victor Tadashi Suarez and Livia Albeck-Ripka, focuses on Altadena, where the Eaton Fire destroyed nearly 10,000 structures, spared others and left toxic ash in its wake. The tragedy left residents with the "impossible decision of whether they should risk their health to return home." Of the selections overall, Sundance director of programming Kim Yutani said, "Each one is a testament to the creative talent working in the short film space, proving that powerful storytelling is impactful across formats. This year's program is rich with explorations of belonging, resilience and the unexpected ways people navigate both the everyday and the extraordinary." Added senior programmer Heidi Zwicker: "The short films in this year's selection are so different from each other, but what impressed us most is how inventive they are - there's so much dynamic and exciting filmmaking to enjoy throughout the program. This global lineup runs the gamut when it comes to genres, themes and the worlds these films bring to life. We're excited to share that variety with our audiences while providing a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work." The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will be held from Jan. 22-Feb. 1, in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with online screenings avail from Jan. 29-Feb. 1. The shorts lineup is below. More information on the fest, including details on tickets, can be found here. U.S. Fiction Short Films Albatross / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Amandine Thomas; screenwriter and producer: Gerardo Coello Escalante; producers: Zach Wechter, Valerie Bush, Carlos López Estrada, Glenn Kiser, Amanda Schneider) - Maria, burdened with caregiving for her sick husband, gets invited to a party. Cast: Georgina Saldaña Wonchee, Patrick O'Brien, Ciro Suárez. World premiere. Available online for public. Balloon Animals / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Anna Baumgarten; producer: Katy Wicker) - Two grocery store employees have an unexpected, helium-fueled encounter with a late-night customer. Cast: Angela Giarratana, Izzi Rojas, Kelsi Roberts. World premiere. Available online for public. Birdie / U.S.A. (Director, screenwriter and producer: Praise Odigie Paige; producers: Yety Akinola, Praise Odigie Paige, Noni Limar, Nat Majette) - In 1970, a 16-year-old Nigerian refugee in Virginia tries to keep her family together when a newcomer draws her sister away. Cast: Eniola Abioro, Precious Maduanusi, Sheila Chukwulozie. World premiere. Available online for public. Callback / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Matthew Puccini; producers: Jeremy Truong, Matt Kazman) - Max arrives home to find that his boyfriend has booked a callback. All hell breaks loose. Cast: Justin H. Min, Michae