When Steph Curry steps onto any stage, whether hardwood or Hollywood, expect greatness. The Golden State Warriors icon isn't just redefining basketball; he's now making his mark in the cinematic world, securing a prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for his powerful short film, 'The Baddest Speech Writer of All'.
Key Points:
- Steph Curry co-produced and co-directed "The Baddest Speech Writer of All".
- The film won the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Short Films at Sundance.
- It spotlights Clarence B. Jones, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legendary attorney and speechwriter.
- This marks another major film accolade for Curry and collaborator Ben Proudfoot.
Curry's Vision Beyond the Arc
The sharpshooter’s latest triumph arrived not on the court, but in Park City, Utah, as The Baddest Speech Writer of All captivated Sundance judges, capturing the Grand Jury Prize in the short film category. The recognition solidifies Curry’s growing influence as a storyteller, proving his Midas touch extends far beyond the NBA.
Co-directed and co-produced with two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot and producer Erick Peyton, the film centers on Clarence B. Jones, the 93-year-old attorney and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through Jones’ reflections, the project revisits pivotal moments alongside the civil rights leader and explores the personal sacrifices of shaping history.
Due to NBA commitments, Curry did not attend the festival, watching from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City after the Warriors’ win over the Utah Jazz. “Thank you Sundance for opening up space for us to tell Clarence’s story,” Curry said. “It’s needed right now, and I know that his life and his work will continue to impact so many people and continue to impact cultures. So thank you for this, and we’re going to share it with the world.”
Members of the short film jury — A.V. Rockwell, Liv Constable-Maxwell, and Martin Starr — praised the project, stating it “implores us to take action with a message that is timeless and timely. Through the eyes of its subject, we find one of the most important moments in modern history has a new perspective.” They described Jones as a “strong-willed, hilarious, compassionate man, and the instrumental role he played in kicking ass, nonviolently, against division and hate.”
Proudfoot echoed this sentiment, “Stephen and I are jumping for joy (him a lot higher than I) with this extraordinary recognition. Clarence B. Jones’ extraordinary story feels tailor-made to this very moment. He calls on all of us to follow in his footsteps in times of injustice: exit our comfort zones, live with purpose, and non-violently kick ass.”
Unpacking a Timeless Narrative
Curry and Proudfoot are no strangers to award-winning collaborations. They previously teamed up on The Queen of Basketball, a 2022 short film that earned an Academy Award, chronicling Lusia Harris, the first woman drafted by an NBA team and the scorer of the first basket in Olympic women’s basketball history. That project was produced by The New York Times, marking its first-ever Oscar win, with Adam Ellick serving as executive producer alongside Curry and Shaquille O’Neal.
The two-time NBA MVP also appeared at Sundance in 2023 to support Underrated, the Apple TV documentary directed by Peter Nicks, charting his improbable rise to basketball superstardom. From draining impossible shots on the court to producing Oscar-winning films, Curry continues to leverage his platform to spotlight vital, often unsung stories. His commitment positions him not just as an athlete, but as a cultural architect, reshaping narratives and inspiring audiences worldwide.
