Michael Schwart)
The Baddest Speechwriter of All co-directed by NBA star Stephen Curry and Oscar-winning filmmaker Ben Proudfoot, has won the Global Spotlight Award at The Short Shorts Film Festival ＆ Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2026.
The Baddest Speechwriter of All is a documentary that follows Martin Luther King Jr.’s speechwriter and close advisor. It explores the Civil Rights Movement through behind-the-scenes history, offering an intimate perspective on the monumental era. The documentary is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix later this year.
The Global Spotlight Award honors world-renowned filmmakers, actors, and artists who utilize short films to illuminate critical contemporary issues and explore new creative frontiers.
Proudfoot shared his excitement about the award in a video on YouTube, “I am deeply grateful to the festival for presenting us with 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.”
Accredited by the Academy Awards, SSFF & ASIA was founded in 1999 by Tetsuya Bessho to introduce short films to Japanese audiences. Today, the top five winning films earn eligibility for nomination at the following year’s Oscars. The 2026 festival runs from May 25 to June 9 across various Tokyo venues, with an online streaming venue available worldwide through June 30.
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