Sundance: ‘In The Blink of An Eye’ Wins 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize
- PARK CITY, UTAH – January 26, 2026 marked a significant moment at the Sundance Film Festival as Andrew Stanton’s In The Blink of an Eye was awarded the...
- The film, written by Colby Day and starring Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, and Daveed Diggs, premiered at the festival on January 26th.
- Sloan Feature Film Prize comes with a $25,000 cash award, presented by the Alfred P.
PARK CITY, UTAH – marked a significant moment at the Sundance Film Festival as Andrew Stanton’s In The Blink of an Eye was awarded the 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. The announcement, made at a reception honoring recipients of the Science-In-Film initiative, recognizes the film’s compelling exploration of science and its impact on the human experience.
The film, written by Colby Day and starring Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, and Daveed Diggs, premiered at the festival on . It weaves together three distinct storylines spanning millennia, examining themes of connection, hope, and the enduring human quest for meaning. According to the Sloan Foundation, the film’s strength lies in its “deft, moving depiction” of these interconnected narratives and its “expansive portrayal of science and scientists striving for progress and a shared, common humanity.”
The Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize comes with a $25,000 cash award, presented by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in partnership with the Sundance Institute. The prize specifically celebrates outstanding feature films that focus on science or technology as a central theme, or prominently feature scientists, engineers, or mathematicians as key characters. This year’s jury included Sophie Barthes, Dr. Heather Berlin, Dr. Andrea Ghez, Ari Handel, and Nicole Perlman.
In The Blink of an Eye is scheduled for a streaming release on Hulu on . The film’s production began on , in Vancouver and wrapped on , with Jared Ian Goldman producing.
Beyond the Feature Film Prize, the Sundance Institute and Sloan Foundation also announced recipients of artist grants designed to support projects in development. Sonia Kennebeck and Tetiana Anderson received the Sloan Episodic Fellowship for their project, Speak for the Dead: Excited Delirium, which will receive a $17,000 award. Daeil Kim was granted the Sloan Development Fellowship for Stem, also receiving a $17,000 award. Alan Fischer and Jonathan Cuchacovich were awarded the Sloan Commissioning Grant for Cyborg Beast, receiving a $25,000 award.
The Science-In-Film initiative, now in its 21st year, aims to heighten public awareness of science in culture and portray the vital role of scientists and engineers. The initiative supports a range of projects, from feature films to episodic content, through fellowships and grants. Previous recipients of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize include films like Tesla (2020), CODA (2021), and The Pod Generation (2023).
Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO, emphasized the importance of the partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, stating, “We are immensely grateful for our long-standing partnership…and the continuation of our shared efforts to uplift filmmakers who explore the intersection between art and science.” Doron Weber, Vice President and Program Director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, added, “We are delighted to honor Andrew Stanton’s In The Blink of An Eye…a sweeping saga…that dramatizes the value of science and the abiding human quest for progress and meaning.”
Prior to the awards reception, Stanton and Day participated in a “Beyond Film” event hosted by the Sloan Foundation, titled The Big Conversation | From Fire to Flight: Humans, Technology and Time. The discussion, moderated by neuroscientist Dr. Heather Berlin, also included Aurelia Institute Co-Founder and CEO Ariel Ekblaw and IHO Research Scientist and Professor at ASU Institute of Human Origins Denise Su, exploring the themes central to In The Blink of an Eye.
The ongoing collaboration between the Sundance Institute and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation continues to foster a space for filmmakers to explore the complex relationship between science, technology, and the human condition, bringing these stories to a wider audience. The initiative has supported over 50 scripts in development and contributed to the production of numerous theatrically released films.