African storytelling is commanding global attention as films from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa earn prestigious slots at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, one of the world’s most influential platforms for independent cinema.
Scheduled to run from January 22 to February 1, 2026, the festival will host in-person screenings in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, alongside an online programme for U.S. audiences from January 29 to February 1.
This year’s lineup signals a growing appetite for African narratives—stories that are deeply local yet universally resonant, and bold enough to challenge, move and inspire global audiences.
Nigeria’s Lady: Lagos Life Through a Female Lens
Flying the Nigerian flag is Lady, the feature debut of filmmaker Olive Nwosu, selected for Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Set in the restless, ever-moving city of Lagos, the film follows an independent taxi driver navigating daily survival in one of Africa’s busiest urban centres. Her world is upended when she reconnects with a childhood friend now working as a sex worker, sparking a raw and emotionally layered story of loyalty, resilience and sisterhood.
Lady marks a defining moment for contemporary Nigerian cinema on the global festival circuit, spotlighting intimate, character-driven stories that reflect the emotional pulse of life in Africa’s megacities.
Kenya’s Kikuyu Land: Memory, Power and Belonging
Kenya’s contribution comes in the form of Kikuyu Land, a thought-provoking documentary co-directed by Bea Wangondu and Andrew H. Brown, screening in the World Cinema Documentary category. The film follows a journalist investigating a contentious land dispute involving local communities, state institutions and multinational interests around Nairobi.
Through its personal yet investigative approach, Kikuyu Land evolves into a broader meditation on identity, land ownership and the lingering scars of colonialism. Its reflective tone and political urgency have already positioned it as one of the most anticipated African documentaries at Sundance this year.
South Africa’s Troublemaker: Mandela in His Own Words
Representing South Africa is Troublemaker, a powerful documentary selected in Sundance’s Premieres section. Directed by Antoine Fuqua in collaboration with Mac Maharaj, the film offers a fresh perspective on Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy, drawing from rare archival audio recordings made while he was writing his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.
Instead of retelling a familiar legend, Troublemaker allows Mandela’s own voice to guide the narrative, revealing the complexities, doubts and convictions behind the global icon. The result is an intimate and human portrait that deepens understanding of one of history’s most influential figures.
A Defining Moment for African Cinema
Together, these selections underscore the rising influence of African filmmakers on the world stage. From urban survival and historical reckoning to re-examining iconic leadership, the films reflect the diversity and depth of African storytelling today.
Festival organisers say Sundance 2026 continues its mission of championing visionary voices whose stories capture the richness of human experience—making this year’s African presence not just timely, but transformative.
