The Sundance Film Festival is regarded as one of the most prestigious independent film festivals, where filmmakers have been premiering their movies and documentaries since 1984.
The festival was founded in 1978 by Sterling Van Wagenen, the head of Robert Redford’s company Wildwood, and John Earle of the Utah Film Commission under the name Utah/US Film Festival to attract more filmmakers to Utah.
Redford founded the Sundance Institute in 1981 to foster independence, risk-taking, and new voices in American film. That year, 10 emerging filmmakers were invited to the Sundance Resort in the mountains of Utah, where they worked with leading writers, directors and actors to develop their original independent projects.
By 1984, the festival had established itself and was officially renamed the Sundance Film Festival after Redford’s character in his 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. That year, the Grand Jury Prize in Dramatics was awarded to Old Enough, an American comedy-drama coming-of-age film written and directed by Marisa Silver. It starred Sarah Boyd, Alyssa Milano and Rainbow Harvest.
Since then, only 15 female directors have been awarded the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Joyce Chopra (Smooth Talk, 1986), Jill Godmilow (Waiting For the Moon, 1987), Nancy Savoca (True Love, 1989), Karyn Kusama (Girlfight, 2000), Rebecca Miller (Personal Velocity, 2002), Shari Springer Berman (American Splendor, 2003) Courtney Hunt (Frozen River, 2008), Debra Granik (Winter’s Bone, 2010), Desiree Akhavan (The Miseducation of Cameron Post, 2018), Chinonye Chukwu (Clemency, 2019), Sian Heder (CODA, 2021), Nikyatu Jusu (Nanny, 2022), A.V. Rockwell (A Thousand and One, 2023) & Alessandra Lacorazza (In The Summers).
Heder’s film CODA would become the first Sundance film also to win an Oscar for Best Picture, accomplishing the feat at the 94th Academy Awards. Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari won the Grand Jury Prize in 2020 and would garner six Academy Award nominations in 2021 including for Best Picture.
Damien Chazelle‘s Whiplash won both the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and U.S. Dramatic Audience Award in 2014. It went on to win three Oscars, including Supporting Actor for J.K. Simmons’ performance as Terence Fletcher, the brutally savage music instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential. Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild was supported by Sundance Labs and won the Grand Jury Prize and Excellence in Cinematography Award in 2012, on its way to be nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Directing, Leading Actress and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
Scroll through the photo gallery for all the winners of the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize.
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IN THE SUMMERS, (2024)
Image Credit: Sundance Film Festival Dir. Alessandra Lacorazza, starring Sasha Calle & Lio Mehiel, René Pérez Joglar and Leslie Grace
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A THOUSAND AND ONE, 2023
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Focus Features Dir. A.V. Rockwell, starring Teyana Taylor, Aaron Kingsley Adetola and Aven Courtney.
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NANNY, 2022
Image Credit: Amazon Studios /Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Nikyatu Jusu, starring Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan and Sinqua Walls.
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CODA, 2021
Image Credit: Apple TV+ / Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Sian Heder, starring Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin, Emilia Jones and Troy Kotsur.
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MINARI, 2020
Image Credit: A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Lee Isaac Chung, starring Alan S. Kim, Steven Yeun, Noel Cho, Yeri Han and Youn Yuh-jung
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CLEMENCY, 2019
Image Credit: Neon / Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Chinonye Chukwu, starring Alfre Woodard, Richard Schiff and Aldis Hodge.
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THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST, 2018
Image Credit: Jeong Park /FilmRise /Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Desiree Akhavan, starring Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane and Chloe Grace Moretz.
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I DONT FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, 2017
Image Credit: Allyson Riggs/Netflix / courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Macon Blair, starring Melanie Lynskey and elijah Wood.
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THE BIRTH OF A NATION, 2016
Image Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures/ Everett Collection Dir. Nate Parker, starring Nate Parker, Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Dwight Henry, Gabrielle Union, Armie Hammer and Penelope Ann Miller.
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ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, 2015
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, starring Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke and Nick Offerman.
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WHIPLASH, 2014
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics/Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Damien Chazelle, starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist and Paul Reiser.
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FRUITVALE STATION, 2013
Image Credit: Ron Koeberer/The Weinstein Company/Everett Collection Dir. Ryan Coogler starring, Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer and Kevin Durand.
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BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, 2012
Image Credit: Ben Richardson/Fox Searchlight/Everett Dir. Benh Zeitlin starring, Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly and Lowell Landes.
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LIKE CRAZY, 2011
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Drake Doremus, starring Felicity Jones, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence and Charlie Bewley.
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WINTER’S BONE, 2010
Image Credit: Sebastian Mlynarski/Roadside Attractions/Everett Collection Dir. Debra Granik, starring Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Garret Dillahunt and Isaiah Stone.
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PRECIOUS, 2009
Image Credit: Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Lee Daniels, starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton and Mariah Carey.
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FROZEN RIVER, 2008
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Courtney Hunt starring, Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott and Michael O’Keefe.
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SANGRE DE MI SANGRE, (aka PADRE NUESTRO), 2007
Image Credit: IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Christopher Zalla, starring Jesús Ochoa, Armando Hernández, Jorge Adrián Espíndola and Paola Mendoza.
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QUINCEANERA, 2006
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics/Everett Collection Dir. Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland, starring Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Chalo González and Jesus Castanos.
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FORTY SHADES OF BLUE, 2005
Image Credit: First Look Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Ira Sachs starring, Dina Korzun, Rip Torn, Darren E. Burrows and Andrew Lawrence Henderson.
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PRIMER, 2004
Image Credit: ThinkFilm/Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Shane Carruth starring, Shane Carruth, David Sullivan, Casey Gooden and Anand Upadhyaya.
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AMERICAN SPLENDOR, 2003
Image Credit: Fine Line/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini, starring Paul Giamatti, Shari Springer Berman, Harvey Pekar and Chris Ambrose.
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PERSONAL VELOCITY, 2002
Image Credit: United Artists/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Rebecca Miller starring, Kyra Sedgwick, Parker Posey, Fairuza Balk and John Ventimiglia.
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THE BELIEVER, 2001.
Image Credit: Seven Arts Pictures / Everett Collection Dir. Henry Bean starring, Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Peter Meadows and Garret Dillahunt.
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YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, 2000 (TIED)
Image Credit: Paramount Classics/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Kenneth Lonergan starring, Laura Linney, Matthew Broderick, Amy Ryan and Michael Countryman.
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GIRLFIGHT, 2000 (TIED)
Image Credit: Screen Gems / Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Karyn Kusama, starring Michelle Rodriguez, Douglas Santiago, Jamie Tirelli and Paul Calderon.
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THREE SEASONS, 1999
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Tony Bui, starring Ngoc Hiep Nguyen, Ngoc Minh, Phat Trieu Hoang and Diem Kieu.
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SLAM, 1998
Image Credit: Trimark/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Marc Levin starring, Saul Williams, Sonja Sohn, Bonz Malone and Lawrence Wilson.
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SUNDAY, 1997
Image Credit: Cinepix Film Properties/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Jonathan Nossiter, starring David Suchet, Lisa Harrow, Jared Harris and Larry Pine.
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WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, 1996
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Classics/Everett Collection Dir. Todd Solondz, starring Heather Matarazzo, Christina Brucato, Victoria Davis and Christina Vidal.
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THE YOUNG POISONER’S HANDBOOK, 1995 (TIED)
Image Credit: Cinepix Filmed Enterprises/Everett Collection Dir. Benjamin Ross starring, Hugh O’Conor, Antony Sher, Tobias Arnold and Ruth Sheen.
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THE BROTHER McMULLEN. 1995 (TIED)
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Edward Burns starring, Jack Mulcahy, Michael McGlone, Edward Burns and Shari Albert.
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WHAT HAPPENED WAS…, 1994
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Tom Noonan starring, Karen Sillas and Tom Noonan.
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PUBLIC ACCESS, 1993 (TIED)
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Bryan Singer starring, Ron Marquette, Bert Williams, Leigh Hunt and John Renshaw.
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RUBY IN PARADISE, 1993 (TIED)
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Victor Nunez starring, Ashley Judd, Todd Field, Bentley Mitchum and Allison Dean.
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IN THE SOUP, 1992
Image Credit: Triton Films/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Alexandre Rockwell, starring Steve Buscemi, Seymour Cassel, Jennifer Beals and Pat Moya.
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POISON, 1991
Image Credit: Zeitgeist Films/ Courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Todd Haynes, starring Edith Meeks, Larry Maxwell, Susan Norman and Millie White.
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CHAMELEON STREET, 1990
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Wendell B. Harris Jr. starring Timothy Alvaro, Renauld Bailleux, William Ballenger and Lynn Barbee.
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TRUE LOVE, 1989
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Nancy Savoca, starring Annabella Sciorra, Ron Eldard, Aida Turturro and Roger Rignack.
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HEAT AND SUNLIGHT, 1987
Image Credit: Silverlight Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Rob Nilsson starring Consuela Faust, Don Bajema and Ernie Fosselius.
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THE TROUBLE WITH DICK, 1987 (TIED)
Image Credit: Frolix Dir. Gary Walkow, starring Tom Villard, Susan Dey, Elaine Giftos and Elizabeth Gorcey.
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WAITING FOR THE MOON, 1987 (TIED)
Image Credit: Skouras Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Jill Godmilow, starring Bruce McGill, Linda Hunt, Jacques Boudet and Andrew McCarthy.
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SMOOTH TALK, 1986
Image Credit: International Spectrafilm/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Joyce Chopra, starring Treat Williams and Laura Dern.
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BLOOD SIMPLE, 1985
Image Credit: Circle Films/courtesy Everett Collection Dir. Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, starring Frances McDormand. John Getz and Dan Heydaya.
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OLD ENOUGH, 1984
Image Credit: Everett Collection Dir. Marisa Silver, Starring Sarah Boyd, Alyssa Milano and Rainbow Harvest.
