Writer-director Olive Nwosu earned a major breakthrough moment at the Sundance Film Festival, with her feature debut LADY winning the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble.
Set in Nigeria, LADY was recognized for its powerful and cohesive performances from a standout cast that includes Jessica Gabriel’s Ujah, Amanda Oruh, Tinuade Jemiseye, Binta Ayo Mogaji, Seun Kuti, and Bucci Franklin. The jury honor highlights the film’s collective acting strength rather than a single performance—underscoring the ensemble’s emotional depth and authenticity.
The UK–Nigeria co-production premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, where it drew praise for both its immersive storytelling and grounded performances. The film centers on Lady (played by Jessica Gabriel), a woman navigating life and survival within a deeply patriarchal environment, offering a perspective shaped by extensive, on-the-ground research within Nigeria’s sex worker community.
Nwosu, a Lagos-born and London-based filmmaker, is no stranger to Sundance. She is a former Sundance Screenwriting Fellow and recipient of the Sundance | NHK Award, making LADY a highly anticipated debut that delivered on its promise. The project was developed with Film4 and backed by the BFI through National Lottery funding, with additional support from Screen Scotland, Level Forward, and Amplify Capital. Production companies include Ossian International, Good Gate, Stella Nwimo, and Lagos-based Emperium Films.
The 2026 edition also marked the final Sundance Film Festival held in Park City, Utah, before the festival relocates to Boulder, Colorado next year—making Nwosu’s win part of a historic closing chapter for the longtime host city.
Full List of Winners — 2026 Sundance Film Festival
U.S. Dramatic Competition
- U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
Josephine / U.S.A. — Director/Writer/Producer: Beth de Araújo - Directing Award
Josef Kubota Wladyka — Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty! / U.S.A. - Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast
The Friend’s House Is Here / U.S.A., Iran - Special Jury Award for Debut Feature
Bedford Park / U.S.A. — Director: Stephanie Ahn - Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award
Take Me Home / U.S.A. — Liz Sargent
U.S. Documentary Competition
- U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary
Nuisance Bear / U.S.A., Canada — Gabriela Osio Vanden & Jack Weisman - Special Jury Award for Journalistic Excellence
Who Killed Alex Odeh? / U.S.A. - Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award
Matt Hixon — Barbara Forever - Directing Award
J.M. Harper — Soul Patrol - Special Jury Award for Impact for Change
The Lake / U.S.A.
Audience Awards
- U.S. Dramatic — Josephine
- U.S. Documentary — American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
- NEXT — Aanikoobijigan
- World Cinema Documentary — One In A Million
- World Cinema Dramatic — HOLD ONTO ME (Κράτα Με)
NEXT Awards
- Special Jury Award for Creative Expression
TheyDream - Innovator Award
The Incomer
World Cinema Dramatic Competition
- Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
Shame and Money - Special Jury Award for Creative Vision
Filipiñana - Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble
LADY — U.K., Nigeria - Directing Award
Andrius Blaževičius — How to Divorce During the War
World Cinema Documentary Competition
- Grand Jury Prize: Documentary
To Hold a Mountain - Special Jury Award for Journalistic Impact
Birds of War - Special Jury Award for Civil Resistance
Everybody to Kenmure Street - Directing Award
Itab Azzam & Jack MacInnes — One In A Million
Shorts Program Awards
- Short Film Grand Jury Prize
The Baddest Speechwriter of All - U.S. Fiction Jury Award
Crisis Actor - Special Jury Award for Acting
Noah Roja & Filippo Carrozza — The Liars - Special Jury Award for Creative Vision
Paper Trail - Animation Jury Award
Living with a Visionary - Nonfiction Jury Award
The Boys and the Bees - International Fiction Jury Award
Jazz Infernal
Additional Honors
- Sundance Institute Producers Award for Nonfiction (Amazon MGM Studios)
Dawne Langford — Who Killed Alex Odeh? - Sundance Institute | NHK Award
Leo Aguirre — Verano - Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize
In the Blink of an Eye — Directed by Andrew Stanton