Steph Curry’s range just keeps expanding - and we’re not talking about his jumper. The Golden State Warriors star, already a generational talent on the court, is now making waves in the film world. On Tuesday night, Curry added another accolade to his growing off-court résumé when The Baddest Speech Writer of All, a short film he co-produced and co-directed, took home the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival’s short film awards in Park City, Utah.
Curry teamed up with two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Ben Proudfoot for the project, which tells the story of Clarence B. Jones - a name that deserves far more recognition than it typically gets.
Jones, now 93, was a close advisor, attorney, and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the film dives into his pivotal role during one of the most consequential chapters in American history.
Because of his NBA schedule, Curry couldn’t be at Sundance in person. Instead, he marked the moment from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, where the Warriors had just wrapped up a win over the Utah Jazz.
Proudfoot posted a celebratory photo with Curry from the arena, and Curry shared a message of gratitude: “Thank you Sundance for opening up space for us to tell Clarence’s story. It’s needed right now, and I know that his life and his work will continue to impact so many people and continue to impact cultures.
So thank you for this, and we’re going to share it with the world.”
The short film, which was also produced by Erick Peyton, brings Jones’ story to life through his own reflections - a firsthand account of moments that shaped the civil rights movement. It’s a deeply personal look at a man who helped craft the words that moved a nation, while also shedding light on the emotional and personal toll that kind of responsibility can carry.
The Sundance short film jury - A.V. Rockwell, Liv Constable-Maxwell, and Martin Starr - praised the project in a joint statement, calling it a film that “implores us to take action with a message that is timeless and timely.” They described Jones as “a strong-willed, hilarious, compassionate man” whose story offers a fresh lens on a pivotal time in modern history.
Proudfoot echoed that sentiment, saying, “Stephen and I are jumping for joy (him a lot higher than I) with this extraordinary recognition.” He added that Jones’ story “feels tailor-made to this very moment,” and called on audiences to follow Jones’ example: to step outside of comfort zones, live with purpose, and “non-violently kick ass.”
This isn’t the first time Curry and Proudfoot have teamed up for a powerful short film. Back in 2022, they collaborated on The Queen of Basketball, which told the story of Lusia Harris - the first woman ever drafted by an NBA team and the scorer of the first basket in Olympic women’s basketball history. That project went on to win an Academy Award, with Curry and Shaquille O’Neal among the executive producers.
Curry’s presence at Sundance isn’t new either. In 2023, he appeared at the festival to support Underrated, the Apple TV documentary directed by Peter Nicks that chronicled his unlikely rise from overlooked college recruit to NBA icon.
What we’re seeing now is a different kind of Steph Curry highlight reel - one that goes beyond the arc and into the heart of storytelling. Whether it’s sinking a 30-footer or shining a light on voices that shaped history, Curry is proving he’s got the vision, the platform, and the purpose to make an impact far beyond the hardwood.