Gallery: Wildcats showcase talent at 21st annual FilmFest

The Learning Studio hosted its 21st annual FilmFest on Friday. The event showcased a variety of short films across different genres, featuring the creative and artistic talents of ACU film students. The awards for the 2025 FilmFest are as follows:

Best Picture – Thumbs Up
Best Animated Film – ELON
People’s Choice – Rumination

Best Director – Caleb Shields, Thumbs Up
Best Producer – Shelby Byrd, Case Kirby, Jonah Norcross, Shoebox
Best Writer – Olivia Cromis, How to Get a Girlfriend
Best Editor – Abbey Monroe, Sleep When You’re Dead
Best Cinematography – Caleb Shields, Thumbs Up
Best Production Designer – Nick Thompson, Slick
Best Sound Designer – Jackson Eller, Legends
Best Original Music – Nathan Wilson, Rumination
Best Visual Effects – Megan Caughfield, Eden’s Forgotten

Best Actor – Kofi Forson, Slick
Best Actress – Ainsley Houghton, Sleep When You’re Dead
Best Voice Actor – Olivia Cromis, How to Get a Girlfriend

: The cast and crew of the film “Rumination” pose for a group photo after the FilmFest awards ceremony. (Photo by Steven Infante)

: The cast and crew of the film “Thumbs Up” get ready for a photo after receiving their award. (Photo by Steven Infante)

: Jonah Norcross, senior liberal studies major from Georgetown, holds his hands in the air after accepting an award. (Photo by Steven Infante)

: Caleb Shields (’24) poses with his Best Cinematography award for the film “Thumbs Up” during the FilmFest awards ceremony. (Photo by Steven Infante)

: Abbey Monroe, sophomore multimedia major from Prospect, Kentucky, accepts the Best Editor award for “Sleep When You’re Dead” during the FilmFest awards ceremony. (Photo by Steven Infante)

: MCs Zola Feasel, a senior theatre major from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Ashton Taylor, a junior theatre major from Las Cruces, New Mexico, engage with the crowd during this year’s FilmFest. (Photo by Steven Infante)