A documentary supported by California Humanities will take a significant step onto the national stage this month at the Sundance Film Festival. Barbara Forever will have its first public programming at the festival on January 24, 2026, reaching audiences at one of the world’s most influential gatherings for independent film.
The film honors the life and legacy of Barbara Hammer, a pioneering experimental filmmaker whose work helped shape feminist and queer cinema. Through archival materials, artistic reflection, and cultural memory, Barbara Forever brings forward a vital chapter of film history—one that has long influenced contemporary media, creative practice, and cultural expression.
From early development in California to national exhibition, Barbara Forever reflects the broader impact of California Humanities’ commitment to documentary storytelling. By supporting filmmakers at critical moments and investing in projects that preserve complex, underrepresented histories, California Humanities helps ensure these stories enter public conversation and endure beyond a single moment or venue.
As Barbara Forever reaches new audiences at Sundance, it stands as a powerful example of how sustained support for the humanities can elevate California stories—connecting local histories to national and global cultural dialogue.
