Sentient (film)

Sentient
Directed by	Tony Jones
Written by	Tony Jones Rachel Grierson-Johns
Produced by	Ivan O'Mahoney
Release date	2026 (2026)
Running time	105 minutes
Country	Australia
Language	English

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 is selected to premiere as a world premiere 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 is scheduled to premiere 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. "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. "Sentient". 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
3. "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.