Steph Curry’s week in Utah was about more than just buckets and box scores. Yes, the Warriors star dropped in another offensive clinic during Golden State’s 140-124 win over the Jazz, but that wasn’t the only win he walked away with. Off the court, Curry added a different kind of trophy to his collection - one that came not from the hardwood, but from the heart of the Sundance Film Festival.
Curry, known for redefining the three-point shot, is now making his mark in storytelling. He co-directed and produced a short documentary titled The Baddest Speechwriter of All alongside two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot.
The film, which explores the reflections of Clarence B. Jones - a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement and a close adviser, attorney, and speechwriter for Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. - took home the prestigious Grand Jury Prize for short film at Sundance.
While Curry couldn’t attend the awards ceremony in person, the festival made sure the honor found its way to him. Ahead of tipoff in Salt Lake City, Sundance officials presented the award to Curry during warmups, right there on the court. With arena music thumping and teammates getting loose around him, Curry took a moment to speak - this time not as a team leader, but as a storyteller.
“Obviously on behalf of myself, Ben, the whole team, we want to say thank you so much to Sundance for opening up space for us to tell Clarence’s story,” Curry said. “It’s needed right now.
And I know that his life and his work will continue to impact so many people - continue to impact culture. So thank you for this, and we’re going to share it with the world.”
It was a powerful moment - a basketball icon using his platform to elevate a story rooted in justice, history, and the enduring power of words.
For Proudfoot, a filmmaker with hardware of his own, the collaboration with Curry was more than just a creative partnership. In comments made earlier in the week, he spoke about the impact of working with one of the most influential athletes of this generation.
“On a personal note, to share creative duties with Stephen, one of the greatest living athletes and just a truly good man, has given me an opportunity to grow as a filmmaker and be part of telling a story I probably never would have learned until Stephen called me,” Proudfoot said. “To him and to Clarence, I am forever grateful.”
Curry’s resume already includes multiple MVPs, NBA titles, and a reputation as the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. But this moment - standing midcourt in Utah, holding a film award while honoring a man who helped shape the legacy of Dr.
King - showed a different side of his influence. It’s one thing to change the game.
It’s another to use your voice to help change the conversation.
And that’s exactly what Curry’s doing - one shot, one story at a time.