2026 Nominees

The Twister: Caught in the Storm

RAW

UK, US

- History & Biography

Alexandra Lacey’s debut feature, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, explores a natural disaster not only as an overwhelming environmental event, but as a catalyst for profound human change. When an EF-5 tornado devastates Joplin, Missouri, it permanently alters the lives of those who survive it. Focusing on a group of high-school teenagers, the film becomes a powerful coming-of-age story shaped by nature’s violence, as these young people are forced to grow up in a single day. The tornado is the central, uncontrollable force of the narrative. Lacey conveys the sheer calamitous power of the storm through immersive sound design, sensory-driven visuals, an extensive trove of UGC and remarkably candid accounts, placing viewers inside the experience. The film’s impact has been substantial. Upon release, it sparked conversations about faith, identity, resilience, and survival, while also serving as an impactful reminder of the force of Mother Nature and humanity’s fragile relationship with it.