SAG-AFTRA Foundation Shorts Showcase Announces 2026 Official Selections & Inaugural Grand Jury

Presented by City National Bank

Showcase lineup features 12 short films starring Margaret Cho, Sherry Cola, Emily Kuroda, Sharon Lawrence, Taryn Manning & more
Grand Jurors include Dulé Hill, Amy Landecker and Mario Van Peebles
Showcase takes place September 23-24 in New York & L.A.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation today announced the twelve official selections for its 2026 Shorts Showcase presented by City National Bank, celebrating and recognizing outstanding short films created by and/or featuring SAG-AFTRA members, and inspiring performers to tell their own stories. The Showcase will take place September 23-24 in New York at the Foundation’s Robin Williams Center and in Los Angeles at the Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists, bringing together SAG-AFTRA members and invited industry guests to celebrate emerging filmmakers and performers.

“We’re counting down the days until the Shorts Showcase in September, when audiences in Los Angeles and New York will experience these exceptional films,” said SAG-AFTRA Foundation President and Chairman Courtney B. Vance. “This is our first year presenting honorariums, making the anticipation even greater. Our distinguished Grand Jury has the exciting challenge of recognizing extraordinary work, but every official selection has already achieved something remarkable through the creativity, passion and artistry of the creators behind it.”

Twelve short films were selected from 244 submissions and will be presented over two nights, with six films screening each evening. The six short films featured on the second night will be eligible for the inaugural $5,000 honorariums for Excellence in Creativity and Excellence in Performance, which will be awarded by a distinguished Grand Jury of actors/creators. The Grand Jury currently includes Dulé Hill, Amy Landecker and Mario Van Peebles.

“City National Bank is excited to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s SAG-AFTRA Foundation Shorts Showcase,” said JaHan Wang, EVP, Head of Entertainment & Sports Banking, City National Bank. “Championing original storytelling and helping recognize emerging artists is both an honor and a privilege. While this year’s finalists were selected by a thoughtful jury of their peers, every filmmaker who submitted work has contributed to the vibrant creative community this Showcase celebrates. We’re proud to support artists and play a meaningful role in helping advance their careers.”

Following the screenings, Q&As with the filmmakers and casts will be recorded and published on the Foundation’s YouTube Channel, extending the educational value of the Showcase to performers around the world.

“Our hope is that the Shorts Showcase serves as a catalyst for the artists behind these films,” said Charlotte Wells, CEO of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. “Whether it’s introducing their work to new audiences, connecting them with industry leaders or helping open the door to their next opportunity, this Showcase is designed to amplify the next generation of storytellers. We’re deeply grateful to our inaugural presenting sponsor City National Bank, our first Grand Jury and everyone who has helped make this possible, and we look forward to building on its success for years to come.”

The 2026 SAG-AFTRA Foundation Shorts Showcase official selections are as follows:

September 23 – Screening one

Do I Know You From Somewhere?
Directed by Alan Scott Neal
Starring Angela Wong Carbone, Fiona Fu, Jodi Long, Laura Esterman, Alison Bartlett and Alan Trong

Gloria
Directed by Kim Blanck
Starring Emily Kuroda

I Got Next
Directed by Christopher Baxter
Starring Bailey Bass, Emmy Coggshall and Jason Stuart

Ta Ta, Dear
Directed by Brandon Tyson
Starring Sharon Lawrence and David Thompson

Veronica
Directed by Brett Dos Santos
Starring Selene Luna, Katey Sagal, Josh Brener, Taryn Manning, Margaret Cho, Sam Pancake and Tom Lenk

WAIT
Directed by Paige Morrow Kimball
Starring Lexi Simonsen, Eian O’Brien

September 24 – Screening two

¡Que Suene La Banda!
Directed by Jorge Parra Jr.
Starring Anthony Gonzalez, Martin Morales, Celina Fang, Marabina Jaimes and Brenda Ortiz

Always Azizam
Directed by Shayan Ebrahim
Starring Pooya Mohseni and Pej Vahdat

Girl | Dad
Directed by Lianzi Fields
Starring Sherry Cola and Chris Tallman

JODÓN (hoh-duhn)
Directed by Erin Ramirez
Starring Gregory Diaz IV, Leilany Celeste, Marilyn Jimenez Mark, Fidel Vicioso, Bryan Reynoso and Elias Jimenes

Meeting Your Maker
Directed by Gregory Kasunich
Starring Jonathan Kite, Amanda Maddock, Lenny Jacobson, Thomas Lennon, Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar, Dylan Playfair, Dylan Mooney, Anna Chazelle, Kayla Radomski and Ryan Colt Levy

Take Five
Directed by Daniel Weingarten
Starring Zoe Kanters and Craig Cackowski

For more information about the Shorts Showcase, email shorts@sagaftra.foundation.