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
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- The cast and crew of the film “Rumination” pose for a group photo after the FilmFest awards ceremony. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- The cast and crew of the film “Thumbs Up” get ready for a photo after receiving their award. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- Jonah Norcross, senior liberal studies major from Georgetown, holds his hands in the air after accepting an award. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- Caleb Shields (’24) poses with his Best Cinematography award for the film “Thumbs Up” during the FilmFest awards ceremony. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- 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)
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- 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)
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- Melissa Henderson, FilmFest director, talks to the audience after the intermission. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- Students mingle during the intermission at FilmFest. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- Students sit at The Paramount Theatre and enjoy the short films at FilmFest 2025. (Photo by Steven Infante)
