Toni Kamau, a renowned Kenyan producer, has been appointed as a juror for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The festival, a leading event in the world of independent cinema, is set to take place from January 22 to February 1.
Kamau will join the 17-member jury for the World Cinema Documentary Competition. She will be joined by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Bao Nguyen, director of The Greatest Night in Pop, and Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of Women in Film.
Together, they will present the most prestigious awards to the best international non-fiction feature films.
Speaking about this year’s selection of jurors, Eugene Hernandez, director of Sundance Film Festival and public programming, said: “This year’s jury represents a rare depth of creative conviction and exceptional range, made up of artists and thinkers who know what it means to take risks.”
In sitting on this jury, Kamau is following in the footsteps of Wanuri Kahiu, who served as a Sundance juror in 2025. In 2024, Kamau became the first black African to win Sundance’s Amazon MGM prize.
She received the award for her work on the documentary Battle For Laikipia, which screened at the film festival under the World Cinema Competition category.
Kamau’s appointment follows a decade-long career dedicated to elevating African narratives. As founder of the Nairobi-based production company We Are Not the Machine, she has consistently championed the stories of rebels and change makers.
Kamau enters the 2026 festival season with strong momentum. In December 2025, her latest project, the satirical series Money Town, directed by Tony Koros, won the Red Sea Souk Series Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The World Cinema Documentary jury plays a pivotal role in shaping the careers of filmmakers from around the world. For Kamau, a 'Sundance regular', becoming a juror highlights her status as an industry tastemaker.
Travelling later deepened her fascination with how stories shape understanding. Her nonfiction credits include Softie (2020 Sundance Film Festival), I Am Samuel, and The Battle for Laikipia (2024 Sundance Film Festival).
