2026 AND THE WINNERS ARE...

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 2026 ARIZONA STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL!

Thank you to all of the filmmakers, friends, and family who came out to the Arizona Student Film Festival screening at the 2026 Phoenix Film Festival. We are so glad that our filmmakers and their families had a chance to see these films on the big screen!

 
 

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

Nu-U by Evelyn Ellis from Corona del Sol High School

A girl wakes up to a world that thinks she's someone else.

2ND PLACE:

FISHBOWL by Hana Noel Taylor from Centennial High School

A young painter searches for a reference for her aquatic painting... but doesn't know the fish she bought for reference is actually magical.

3RD PLACE:

Nothing Crazy by Jamison Scott Rogers from East Valley Institute of Technology

When Tanner Baker, an introverted adolescent, is tricked into breaking into his school on a weekend, he stumbles upon a stopwatch that begins to shift his hold on reality, and could eventually cost him everything.

4TH PLACE:

Lemons by Sophia Chavez from East Valley Institute of Technology

A local purse-snatcher has a sour day when he discovers the contents of the suitcase he stole.

5TH PLACE:

Patjuk by Katherine Hee-Yeon Tae from Phillips Academy

From Seoul to Southwest, a Korean American teen follows her memories of patjuk, weaving Korean and Indigenous stories to redefine the meaning of home.

2026 ANNOUNCING THE OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

DISCOVER THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARIZONA FILMMAKERS AT THE 2026 ARIZONA STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

April 18th, 2026
Harkins Scottsdale 101

Each of these students receives two filmmaker passes to the 2026 Phoenix Film Festival and are in the running for the $1,000 grand prize for best film from the Phoenix Film Foundation. The AZSFF screening will take place as part of the second weekend of the 2026 Phoenix Film Festival. Following the screening, the awards will be announced in the theatre. Tickets will go fast for this event so be sure to purchase early if you plan on attending. Ticketing information and more will be available soon here and on the Phoenix Film Festival’s website. Check back for more updates to come!

 
 

And the selections for the 2026 Arizona Student Film Festival are:

Nothing Crazy by Jamison Scott Rogers from East Valley Institute of Technology

Fly Swatter by Cole Reid from Mountain Ridge High School

Patjuk by Katherine Hee-Yeon Tae from Phillips Academy

The Christmas Miracle by David Holguin from Mesquite High School

Zombies? by Lia Rothman from Madison Highland Prep

A News Worst Nightmare by Franklin Quinn from Buena High School

A Slow Decision by Akshaj Padamata from Arizona College Prep

Who Let You In? by Ryan Hodges from Millennium High School

Fishbowl by Hana Noel Taylor from Centennial Highschool

Ripple Effect by Abi Gregory from East Valley Institute of Technology

Again and Again by Jack Emerson Reid from Copper Creek Elementary School

The Way Love Burns by Aeris Van Sant from Millennium

Baker’s Man by Benjamin Christopher Webbe from K-12

Lemons by Sophia Chavez from East Valley Institute of Technology

A Better World by Gregory Sebastian Royce from Sunnyslope High School

Nu-U by Evelyn Ellis from Corona del Sol High School

2025 AND THE WINNER ARE...

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 2025 ARIZONA STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL!

Thank you to all of the filmmakers, friends, and family who came out to the Arizona Student Film Festival screening at the 2025 Phoenix Film Festival. We are so glad that our filmmakers and their families had a chance to see these films on the big screen!

 
 

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

35 Minutes by Cohen Cantrell from Verrado High School

Four best friends are hanging out until one gets disastrously hangry after waiting too long for her pizza.

2ND PLACE:

I'm Fine by Aidan Sinconis from Liberty High School PSBN

I'm Fine is a 1st-person tale of struggle with teenage depression and gives a realistic view of improvement.

3RD PLACE:

Left Behind by Cohen Cantrell from Verrado High School

In a post apocalyptic world, a girl plays music for her lost dad while deciding whether to stay or seek safety.

4th PLACE:

Price of Honor by Skyy Fredde from East Valley Institute of Technology

In a future America where money is morality, Grant Moore is punished for feeding a homeless man.

5TH PLACE:

Untouchable Love by Samantha Crowe and Darron Rodriguez from East Valley Institute of Technology

A young reporter goes to get the scoop on a teenage girl in love with an elf on the shelf.

2025 ANNOUNCING THE OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

DISCOVER THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARIZONA FILMMAKERS AT THE 2026 ARIZONA STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

April 5th, 2025
Harkins Scottsdale 101

Each of these students receives two filmmaker passes to the 2026 Phoenix Film Festival and are in the running for the $1,000 grand prize for best film from the Phoenix Film Foundation. The AZSFF screening will take place as part of the second weekend of the 2025 Phoenix Film Festival. Following the screening, the awards will be announced in the theatre. Tickets will go fast for this event so be sure to purchase early if you plan on attending. Ticketing information and more will be available soon here and on the Phoenix Film Festival’s website. Check back for more updates to come!

 
 

And the selections for the 2025 Arizona Student Film Festival are:

Price of Honor by Skyy Fredde from East Valley Institute of Technology

Left Behind by Rio Brown from Verrado High School

Beyond a Game by Colin Timothy Willey from Corona Del Sol High School

Bean Chain Coffee by Kyla Stanford and SJ Snowden from East Valley Institute of Technology

The Mike and Larry Christmas Special by JimiJaden Kroul from Desert Edge High School

35 Minutes by Cohen Cantrell from Verrado High School

I'm Fine by Aidan Sinconis from Liberty High School PSBN

Untouchable Love by Darron Rodriguez from East Valley Institute of Technology

A More Passionate World by Evelyn Ellis from Corona Del Sol High School

Settling the Score by Reyn Lewis from Buena High School

Aquarium: Connecting With My Childhood by Kyla Stanford from East Valley Institute of Technology

Crumbs by Cohen Cantrell from Verrado High School