Stephen Curry just added another trophy to his already stacked collection - and this one didn’t come from the hardwood. The Golden State Warriors star took home the Grand Jury Prize for short films at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival for a documentary he co-directed, marking yet another chapter in his ever-expanding off-court legacy.
The film, The Baddest Speechwriter of All, was co-directed by Curry and two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot. It centers on Clarence B.
Jones, the 93-year-old former speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., offering a powerful, firsthand look at one of the unsung architects behind some of the most iconic words in American history.
The documentary stood out among 54 entries, with a three-person jury awarding it the top honor in Park City during Tuesday night’s ceremony. That jury - made up of filmmaker A.V.
Rockwell, publishing director Liv Constable-Maxwell, and actor Martin Starr - praised the film for delivering a message that is “timeless and timely.” They described it as a portrait of a “strong-willed, hilarious, compassionate man” who played a pivotal role in the nonviolent fight against division and hate.
Jones’ reflections in the film add a deeply personal layer to the civil rights movement, reminding viewers that history isn’t just shaped by the faces we know - it’s also written by the voices behind the scenes. At 93, Jones brings gravity, wit, and clarity to a story that still resonates today.
While Curry was expected to be in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night for the Warriors’ matchup against the Jazz, his presence was still felt in Park City. His collaboration with Proudfoot - who previously won Academy Awards for The Queen of Basketball (2022) and The Last Repair Shop (2024) - brought together two storytellers from very different worlds, united by a shared passion for elevating underrepresented voices.
Here’s a look at the other standout winners in the short film category at Sundance:
- U.S. Fiction Jury Award: Crisis Actor, directed by Lily Platt
- International Fiction Jury Award: Jazz Infernal (Canada), directed by Will Niava
- Nonfiction Jury Award: The Boys and the Bees, directed by Arielle C.
Knight
- Animation Jury Award: Living With a Visionary, directed by Stephen P.
Neary
- Special Jury Award for Creative Vision: Paper Trail, directed by Don Hertzfeldt
- Special Jury Award for Acting: Noah Roja and Filippo Carrozza for The Liars (Argentina), directed by Eduardo Braun Costa
For Curry, this isn’t just a side project - it’s a meaningful extension of his voice and influence. He’s long been vocal about social justice, and this film adds another dimension to that advocacy. From draining threes to documenting history, Curry continues to show that leadership isn’t limited to the court.