Sentient (film)

Sentient
Directed byTony Jones
Written byTony Jones
Rachel Grierson-Johns
Produced byIvan O'Mahoney
Release date
  • January 26, 2026 (2026-01-26) (Sundance)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Sentient is a 2026 Australian documentary film directed by Tony Jones and written by Jones and Rachel Grierson-Johns, and produced by Ivan O'Mahoney.[1][2] The film premiered in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.[2][3]

Premise

The film investigates laboratory research on animals and follows Dr. Lisa Jones Engel, a primatologist turned animal welfare advocate, as it questions whether harming animals and ourselves in the name of science is justified.[2]

Release

Sentient premiered as a world premiere in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, held January 22 to February 1, 2026.[3][1] Competition titles are included in the festival's at-home program, which runs January 29 to February 1, 2026.[3]

Production

Dogwoof acquired world sales rights to the film in December 2025.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "2026 Sundance Film Festival Unveils 97 Projects Selected for the Feature Film and Episodic Program". Sundance Institute. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Sentient". 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Sundance Film Festival Announces 2026 Lineup". Filmmaker Magazine. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  4. ^ Ntim, Zac (December 11, 2025). "Dogwoof Acquires World Sales Rights To 2026 Sundance Competition Doc 'Sentient'". Deadline. Retrieved December 29, 2025.