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"Great event and they showed some amazing films" Johnny Gonzales, student.
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"Thank you for the screening and the talk" Maria Bonn, student.
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The Student Awards mission to identify the best student filmmaking talent worldwide, screen their films for real and in person, in order to showcase the emerging generation that'll shape the future of the industry.
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PRESS
👉 santafenewmexican.com/calendar/#/details/student-world-awards-screening-in-santa-fe-/14836837/2025-01-04T17
👉 calendar.sfreporter.com/calendars/all-events/4047555
👉 santafe.librarycalendar.com/event/student-world-awards
👉 calendar.sfreporter.com/calendars/all-events/4303934
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OUR DIFFERENCE
Most festivals include a student category. For many, it is simply an additional section within a broader listing.
The Student Awards has existed since 2016: we will celebrate 10 years in 2026. This consistency is what keeps us an active presence in the festival landscape.
We focus exclusively on student films, regardless of age, background, nationality, or genre.
Our events are intimate by design: our format allows time for screenings, Q&As, and photo opportunities. When you attend the Student Awards, you are properly looked after.
Students today are using different technologies than Peter Jackson or Steven Spielberg did when they started out, and yes, they are making different kinds of films. But we've seen it over the course of 10 years: what students create today is quite often astonishing.
They regularly exceed traditional expectations of what a student film is, and we aim to showcase that.
We have screened in Paris, France, Nashville, Tennessee, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and in multiple locations across Los Angeles County and its surrounding area.
We are 100 percent dedicated to students. Clear and simple.
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Recent events:
February 2026, Culver City, CA
September 2025, Claremont, CA
June 2025, Santa Fe, NM
January 2025, Santa Fe, NM
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Judges over the years:
Jaymie Dornan, Actor, CANADA
Jonathan Lago Lago, Director, BELGIUM
Nicolas Wendl, Director, USA
Romy Trajman, Director, FRANCE
Jesse Angelo, Director, USA
Ninaad Kulkarni, Animator and Director, INDIA
Christian Janner, Actor and Editor, DENMARK
Jared Isham, Director of Photography, USA
✅ Guaranteed in-person screening if selected
Your film is programmed and screened in a real venue, not just listed on a website or archived or added a digital playlist.
✅ Physical Certificates for attending filmmakers
Certificates are awarded to winners, in person, printed and framed.
✅ Focused attention on your film
Intimate, curated screenings ensure your work is seen with attention, not diluted in large multi-program blocks.
✅ Direct audience feedback through Q&A sessions
Structured post-screening discussions allow immediate reaction, questions, and dialogue around your work.
✅ Photography and documentation of your participation
Screenings include photo opportunities for portfolio, press, and promotional use.
✅ Presentation of your work in official venues
We screen films in established public institutions such as libraries and other recognized cultural venues.
✅ Event rooted across multiple cities
Previous and current editions have taken place in Paris, France, Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Nashville, and other locations.
✅ Worldwide competition featuring student films from around the globe
Our competition is international. For real.
✅ Nomination process with official laurels
Selected films receive official festival laurels recognizing their selection status.
✅ Digital Certificates for remote recipients
We got you if you missed it.
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Seattle Academy Film Program
March 2026 -
February 2026
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Declan Gregg
February 2026 -
October 2025
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Linqi Sun
January 2025
