The SAG-AFTRA Foundation has announced the 12 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 is presenting this year’s SAG-AFTRA Foundation Shorts Showcase because we believe in supporting emerging artists and championing original storytelling,” said JaHan Wang, EVP, Head of Entertainment & Sports Banking, City National Bank. “While the finalists were selected by a jury of their peers, every filmmaker who submitted work has contributed to the vibrant creative community this Showcase celebrates. We’re proud to play a 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