
Popular Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu is part of the 16 jurors in this year’s Sundance Film Festival and she cannot hide her excitement.
“Excited to kick off the year with an amazing group of artists and storytellers as a 2025 #Sundance Film Festival Jury member!” Kahiu wrote on her official Instagram account, reacting to the selection.
The 44-year-old will be assessing films screening at the festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition, alongside British actor & director Daniel Kaluuya and French film critic Ava Cahen.
Announcing the jurors for this year’s event, the nonprofit Sundance Institute is set to honor excellence in cinematic and artistic achievements. This includes the five jury members who will be awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Wanuri (@wanuri)
The festival kicks off on Thursday, January 23, with daily premieres in Park City until January 28, followed by additional screenings in both Park City and Salt Lake City until February 2.
Over the span of 11 days, attendees will experience world premieres that highlight fresh perspectives, entertaining tales, and pioneering artistic creations.
“We are thrilled to announce the incredible and accomplished group that comprise the 2025 Sundance Film Festival’s jury,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming. “The jury plays a pivotal role in helping us recognise and amplify a new generation of storytellers, which is a crucial part of our work in independent cinema.”
Kahiu’s short science fiction film, Pumzi, premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win several awards, including Best Short Film at the Cannes Independent Film Festival and the Silver Award at the Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia.
Celebrities and her fans flocked to her socials to congratulate the Rafiki producer Including Blankets N Wine boss, Muthoni Drummer Queen.
“You know it! Shine on my boo,” posted songstress Muthoni Drummer Queen.