News & Reports

TOKYO — June 4, 2026 —Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2026, an Academy Award-accredited and one of Asia’s largest international short film festivals, announced today, June 4th—Short Film Day—that its 6th annual Global Spotlight Award will be presented to The Baddest Speechwriter of All. Co-directed by NBA superstar Stephen Curry and Oscar-winning director Ben Proudfoot, this documentary is based on a true story that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the American civil rights movement through the life of Clarence B. Jones—Dr. King’s lawyer and speechwriter who helped draft the first seven paragraphs of the historic “I Have a Dream” speech.

The Global Spotlight Award honors world-renowned filmmakers, actors, and artists who utilize themedium of short film to illuminate critical social issues, pioneering technologies, and new creative frontiers.This year’s highly competitive field of five finalists included: “Yuki’s Revenge” – A “lost chapter” from KillBill conceived by legendary director Quentin Tarantino, which surprised the world when it was releasedwithin the popular online game Fortnite. “Sandiwara”, a collaboration between 2025 Academy Award-winning director Sean Baker and Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. “4:44: Time of Fear”– An omnibus
horror film starring Onew from the K-POP group SHINee, which became a major sensation in South Korea.
“How to Shoot a Ghost” – A beautifully crafted exploration of mortality by the visionary Charlie Kaufman
(Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

A Message from Co-Director Ben Proudfoot Upon receiving the award :

“I am deeply grateful to the festival for presenting uswith the Global Spotlight Award.It is an absolute honor to receive this wonderful recognition.I was also thrilled to learn that Japan celebrates ‘Short Film Day’ on June 4. Japan is a truly magnificent country,and I have personally drawn immense inspiration from its rich cinematic history.To all the young filmmakers watching this: please keep telling your own stories through the short documentary format. I am eagerly looking forward to “The Baddest Speechwriter of All” reaching audiences worldwide when it premieres on Netflix later this year.
Thank you so very much.”
https://youtu.be/wiok2S2zX9s

Awarded Work & Finalists Overview

◆SSFF & ASIA 2026 Global Spotlight Award Winner: The Baddest Speechwriter of All

Directors: Stephen Curry, Ben Proudfoot Duration: 29:00 | Year: 2026 | Genre: Documentary | Country: U.S.A. Synopsis: A lawyer and close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., who also served as his speechwriter, shares his personal sacrifices, discoveries, and reflections on the Civil Rights Movement. This poignant piece uncovers the behind-the- scenes history of a monumental era through an intimate, individual lens. Note: Scheduled for global release on Netflix later this year.

◆Finalists：
“How to Shoot a Ghost” Director: Charlie Kaufman | 27:36 | Drama | 2026 | U.S.A
”Yuki‘s Revenge” Director: Quentin Tarantino | 10:00 | 2025 | Animation | U.S.A.
“4:44: Time of Fear” Director: Jong-gyun Park | 43:58 | 2024 | Horror | South Korea
“Sandiwara” Director: Sean Baker | 10:51 | 2026 | Comedy, Drama | U.S.A., Malaysia

◆Past Global Spotlight Award Winners:
2020: Two Distant Strangers (USA) – Dir. Travon Free (Academy Award® Winner 2021)
2022: Roborovski (Australia) – Dir. Tilda Cobham-Hervey & Dev Patel
2023: Trap by Seo In Guk (South Korea) – Dir. Seo In Guk
2024: Stray Kids <樂-STAR> SKZFLIX (South Korea) – Dir. Byeongjune Kim
2025: Marion (UK) – Produced by Cate Blanchett, Dir. Joe Weiland & Finn Constantine