Judd Apatow-produced Maria Banford doc draws laughs and heart at Sundance premiere

Judd Apotow on the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

Throughout the film, the audience would have literally been "rolling in the aisles" if the theater wasn't sold out and standing room only. 

PARK CITY, Utah — Known for poking poignant fun at serious topics, famous Hollywood icon Judd Apatow has had a repeat performance directing, producing, and appearing in the 2026 Sundance Film Festival’s “Paralyzed By Hope: The Maria Banford Story.”

“We’ve been working on this film for almost three years, and the entire time, we dreamed we would one day get to show it at a converted sporting goods store,” Apatow quipped to a laughing crowd. While he addressed the seated ticket-holders before the premiere of the Spotlight category Feature shown at The Ray venue he said, “We’re sad that it’s the last one here in Park City, where we have so many incredible memories, but I guess we’ll see what Colorado is all about.”

Throughout the film, the audience would have literally been “rolling in the aisles” if the theater wasn’t sold out and standing room only. 

The story follows the trials and tribulations of American comedian Maria Banford, highlighting moments like when she did stand up on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and then the very next morning took a temp job in the very same building working for NBC News to make ends meet.

The film has cameos by many of the most modern comedic voices in the biz. Steven Colbert says Banford’s material “is so funny, and so heartbreaking all at once. She’s my favorite comedian.”

Banford’s story had special importance to this crowd, many of whom hail from Los Angeles, as the film shows her experience living in the Altadena neighborhood through the wildfires from a year ago. 

The film also addressed Banford’s previously publicized struggles with mental health. She told the live audience at the Q&A to seek help always and in all ways.

Not only was the theater full on this, day one of the Festival, some of the pop up Festival Merch Stores had lines out the door with people wanting to get their hands items from the final Park City year.