Watch local award-winning films from our 2026 Gwinnett Library Student Film Fest!
Award Categories
Best Picture (Overall) – Card Trick by Sam Moffett
Higher Education – College, University, and Post-Grad level.
- Best Picture: Blume by Cody Bendé
- Best Actor/Actress: Ensemble in Bro & Bro by Alijah Morris & Amari Morris
- Best Cinematography: Blume by Cody Bendé
- Best Editing/Sound: The Waiting by Shon Fraser
- Best Story: Nuestra Realidad by Sophia Mera Nieto
High School – 9th through 12th grade
- Best Picture: Card Trick by Sam Moffett
- Best Actor/Actress: 9 Emotion of Life by Mishti Koyani
- Best Cinematography: Leftovers by Alexis and Hudson Gasper
- Best Editing/Sound: Detective Lex Mors by Fabian Gonzalez
- Best Story: Card Trick by Sam Moffett
Middle School – 6th through 8th grade
- Best Picture: Harper’s Babysitting Adventures – The Cookie Monsters by Amani Summer
- Best Picture (Second Place): Nailed It by Kaysh Charania
- Best Actor/Actress: Emelia Kahiha as “Camilla” in Harper’s Babysitting Adventures – The Cookie Monsters by Amani Summer
Genre/ Misc.
- Best Animation: Crash Out by Eyoel Tesfa
- Best Comedy: Bro & Bro by Alijah Morris & Amari Morris
- Best Drama: A Lady’s Voice by Ayanfeoluwa Anjoorin & Oluwanifemi Sonuga
- Best Horror: The Call by Adi Vaidya
- Best Suspense: Out The Group Chat by Aaliyah Francis
- Diamond in the Rough Award: The Mysterious Balloon by Jack Sanchez Serrano
- Staff Pick Award: Nuestra Realidad by Sophia Mera Nieto
What is the Student Film Fest?
Gwinnett County Public Library proudly presents the Student Film Fest each school year! Middle School, High School, and Higher Education students are invited to submit their own films of any genre, and winners in each category receive awards. Additionally, prizes are awarded to winners in each Best Picture category. Each year, the festival culminates with film screenings, panel discussions, and an exciting awards ceremony celebrating the student filmmakers.
Who is it for?
Students aged 11 and up – Middle School, High School, and Higher Education students are all eligible for different categories. Submissions will be accepted from students of any qualifying institution worldwide, but you must have a representee who is able to attend the awards ceremony for your film to be eligible for prizes.
Library Resources for Filmmakers at Gwinnett Library
The Gwinnett County Public Library has Learning Labs with many free resources to help filmmakers of all ages, including cameras, green screens, iMac stations with access to editing software, studio lights, and much more. Access to our Learning Labs is free with a library card. Out-of-county patrons can purchase a full-access library card for $40 a year.
Learning Lab Specialists are staff members who are available to help you learn with one-on-one sessions! Book-a-Librarian or book an appointment to use the labs at https://www.gwinnettpl.org/learninglabs.
Have a question? Send us an email at learninglabs@gwinnettpl.org.
