BGDM's 10th Year at Sundance: Stories, Solidarity and the Power of Our Collective
Edwin Flores • February 19, 2026
Arriving at Sundance for the first time with Brown Girls Doc Mafia felt like stepping into a world of possibility. From packed screenings to panel conversations, the festival was filled with Mafiosxs whose work I had streamed, whose names I had seen in credits and whose films were now premiering on one of the world’s most influential stages for independent storytelling. This year marked BGDM’s 10th return to the snowy slopes of Park City for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, a milestone made even more bittersweet as it also marked the festival’s final year in Utah. Being surrounded by such a talented, generous and accomplished community made the experience feel surreal. I wasn’t just attending screenings. I was witnessing the Mafia network in action.
As a first-time Sundance attendee and new BGDM staff, I arrived not knowing exactly what to expect. What I experienced instead was a profound sense of welcome and belonging. What began years ago as an idea to rally women and gender-expansive filmmakers of color, first taking shape as a small Facebook group of 50 members, has grown into an intentional movement built on trust, friendship and mutual support. I felt that evolution in real time, from shared rides to premieres to conversations about process, collaboration and the very real hardships behind bringing these films to life. Becoming part of BGDM is more than gaining access to a network. It is stepping into a collective that sees you, shares your dreams and shows up for you, on screen and off.
This year, 19 projects at Sundance were worked on by BGDM members, each created with deep responsibility to the people at the center of the stories. Watching these films be embraced by audiences and recognized by juries underscored how powerfully our community’s work resonated beyond our own circles. Film lovers braved the cold, chased tickets and stood shoulder to shoulder in long lines, eager to step into the worlds our members brought to life. What follows is a reflection on the moments that shaped the week, from the awards our members took home, to the creative exchange and care fostered through the debut of Solidarity House, and the return of Every Frame, A Story at the United Airlines Lodge, offering a glimpse into what it felt like to experience Sundance with the Mafia.
Sundance Awards Spotlight
The following wins reflect years of dedication, trust built with subjects and creative risk in pursuit of truth. While we celebrate these honors, we also celebrate every BGDM member project that screened at the festival.
- U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
Josephine (U.S.A.) - Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic (Presented by Acura)
Josephine (U.S.A.) - Audience Award: U.S. Documentary (Presented by Acura)
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez (U.S.A.) - Audience Award: NEXT (Presented by Adobe)
Aanikoobijigan [ancestor/great-grandparent/great-grandchild] (U.S.A., Denmark) - U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature
Bedford Park (U.S.A.) - U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Journalistic Excellence
Who Killed Alex Odeh? (U.S.A.) - World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Journalistic Impact
Birds of War (U.K., Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon) - NEXT Special Jury Award for Creative Expression
TheyDream (U.S.A.) - Short Film Jury Award: Nonfiction
The Boys and the Bees (U.S.A.) - Sundance Institute Producers Award for Nonfiction (Presented by Amazon MGM Studios)
Dawne Langford, Who Killed Alex Odeh? - Sundance Institute | Adobe Mentorship Award for Nonfiction
Flavia de Souza
Standout Stories from BGDM Members
One of the greatest gifts of attending Sundance with BGDM was how full my schedule became with member screenings. Every documentary I watched was entertaining and visually striking, reflecting the meticulous labor it takes to bring a film to life. Equally meaningful were the post-screening conversations, where filmmakers opened up about their process, offering a rare window into how these stories came to be.
Two films stayed with me long after the lights came up: American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez and American Doctor. Very different in form, both felt timely and urgent.
Watching American Pachuco alongside a packed audience was electric. The film traces the life and legacy of Luis Valdez and the resistance he faced while uplifting Chicano culture on stage and screen, transforming the American cultural landscape. As parallels emerged between the racism Valdez endured and today’s political climate around xenophobia and immigration, the room felt united in recognition. The most powerful moment came when Valdez spoke directly to the audience. Returning to Sundance 40 years after premiering Zoot Suit, his message was clear: rage cannot consume us, or art will not survive. Even in the darkest moments, joy must prevail. The applause affirmed what the film made undeniable. Mexican American culture is American culture.
American Doctor, on the other hand, left the room in silence. The film confronts the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and challenges viewers to move beyond spectatorship. After the standing ovation, the room grew quiet as director Poh Si Teng and her collaborators spoke. That silence signaled a readiness to listen. Poh shared the ethical dilemmas of showing graphic footage and the collective decision to honor victims by refusing to look away. She spoke about the risks her crew took, separated from their families and working under dangerous conditions to document the truth. Hearing this firsthand reframed the film as not just a viewing experience, but an act of courage. Her closing words lingered: now is not the time to be afraid. Speak up for Gaza.
Solidarity House: A Place to Be Ourselves
If Sundance was about films, Solidarity House was about care. This year marked the official debut of the space, and walking through its doors felt immediately different from anywhere else on the mountain. Built in coalition with BLIS Collective, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Open Television, New America, Seed&Spark, The Center for Cultural Power and Transgender Film Center, Solidarity House was intentional in every sense.
From the start, the invitation was clear: show up ready to give and ready to receive. Workshops and conversations encouraged collective dreaming and bold imagination around what becomes possible when artists stand together instead of competing. It was grounding to be in a space where people spoke openly about sustainability, burnout, funding realities and collective power without pretense.
Watch the full Solidarity House sessions below:
- Solidarity Stories: The Transformative Work of Building Collective Power
- Who Stewards the Future: Artists, Audiences, and the Fight for Agency
- What Comes After the "Breakthrough?" Maintaining Momentum During Backlash: Presented by Transgender Film Center
Practicing Possibility: Artist-Orgs as Case Studies
Listening to Elijah McKinnon, co-founder and executive director of Open Television, alongside Iyabo Boyd, BGDM founder and co-executive director, reflect on their decade-long journeys was especially affirming as a new member. Iyabo spoke candidly about isolation as the spark behind BGDM’s creation and the decision to build without waiting for permission. Together, they described how, in their early years, they borrowed and adapted frameworks from organizations already doing the work, building alongside and learning from those who came before them. “Solidarity is active,” Elijah shared. “It’s about constantly choosing to belong to one another.” Trust, vulnerability and joy were named again and again as the foundation of their longevity, a reminder that building in this way is both a practical strategy and a quiet act of defiance.
The Solidarity House experience was truly magical and made possible by the many people working behind the scenes. Special thanks to Urban Sailor Coffee for keeping us caffeinated all weekend.
BGDM Presents: Every Frame, A Story at the United Airlines Lodge
Gathering on Main Street for Every Frame, A Story felt like sitting in on an intimate conversation between friends. Moderated by Iyabo Boyd, the panel featured filmmakers Poh Si Teng (American Doctor), Janay Boulos (Birds of War) and Bea Wangondu (Kikuyu Land), each reflecting on a single frame from their film and the story behind it.
What unfolded was an honest exchange about ethics, responsibility and personal cost. Poh spoke about refusing to soften reality in the edit. Janay reflected on documenting war while grappling with distance and danger as her partner worked on the ground. And Bea discussed the emotional labor of confronting her grandfather’s painful role in colonial land theft. Across all three stories, a shared truth emerged: the most resonant films are rooted in sincerity. When filmmakers are deeply and personally connected to their work, that intimacy translates on screen.
Huge thanks to the United Airlines Lodge team for creating space for such a meaningful exchange.
Submerged in Community
Above everything else, Sundance was about connection. From the 10th Anniversary celebration to the shared meals, the Mafia showed up for one another in ways that felt genuine. As someone new to both Sundance and BGDM, I felt welcomed in fully.
Sundance showed me what it means to be surrounded by people who care deeply about filmmaking and people. It still amazes me that 10 years ago, Iyabo trusted her vision and never stopped building. I am grateful to be part of the Mafia and excited for what comes next.