Gallery: FilmFest 2026 celebrates student filmmakers at annual showcase

Students and members of the Abilene community gathered around the red carpet during the 22nd annual FilmFest 2026, hosted by The Learning Studio at The Paramount Theatre on Friday. A variety of short films created by ACU students played on the big screen and were considered for awards in 13 categories. The 2026 FilmFest award winners are:

Best Picture – “Courting”
People’s Choice – “Ultimate²”

Best Director – Brooke Musia, “After Emmy”
Best Producer – Olivia Cromis, “After Emmy”
Best Writer – Olivia Cromis, “Keeping up with the King”
Best Editor – Olivia Cromis, “Epoch”
Best Cinematography – Joshua Varner, “Sins and Cinders”
Best Production Designer – Hannah Haas, “Maia”
Best Sound Designer – Abbey Monroe, “Griefer’s Rehab”
Best Original Music – Jaden Frecka, “Keeping up with the King”
Best Visual Effects – Sofia Medina and Alex Brito, “Ultimate²”

Best Actor – Takuma Tsuneki, “Ultimate²”
Best Actress – Kinley Schollenbarger, “Courting”

: The Paramount Theatre sign sparkles in the downtown streets. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Ashton Taylor, senior theatre major from Abilene, and Lila Griffith, senior theatre major from Sanger, announce the upcoming films. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Students and members of the Abilene community gather at The Paramount Theatre in Abilene to watch FilmFest 2026. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Sarah Eunyoung Thompson, senior art major from New Braunfels, poses for a photo with other students. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Students pose for photos on the red carpet. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Caleb Clark, junior psychology major from Slaton, smiles during a conversation. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Sahelis Rodriguez, junior biology major from Cedar Park, and Alarice Rodriguez, junior biology major from Cedar Park, pose for a photo at the 2026 FilmFest. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Deograce Tshilumba Musue, senior nutrition major from Hurst, poses for a photo on the red carpet. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Emily Sileven, senior multimedia major from Van Alstyne, and Sarah Housos, senior graphic design major from Conroe, pose for a photo on the red carpet. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: A member of the Abilene community holds up his phone to vote for the People’s Choice award. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Sofia Medina, junior graphic design major from Medellín, Colombia, and Alex Brito, senior art major from Pearland, receive the Best Visual Effects award for the short film “Ultimate 2.” (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Joshua Varner, junior multimedia major from Edmond, Oklahoma, shows his excitement after receiving the Best Cinematography Award. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Students stand in applause during the award ceremony. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Ashton Taylor, senior theatre major from Abilene, shakes hands with Takuma Tsuneki, Master of Divinity graduate student from Abilene, while receiving the Best Actor award. (Photo by Callie Brimberry)

: Abbey Monroe, junior multimedia major from Prospect, Kentucky, receives the Best Picture award for directing the short film “Courting.” (Photo by Callie Brimberry)