

Awards
Shorts Audience Awards Program
These shorts awards each come with a $1,000 cash prize and are determined by audience vote, so make sure to cast your ballots! Winners will be announced during this live shorts program taking place on the last day of the in-person festival.
BUY TICKETSAudience Choice Award for Best Short
Presented By: Char and Chuck Fowler
Best After Hours Short
Presented By: Friends of Patrick McFadden
Best Black Cinema Short
Presented By: Equius Group LLC
Best Comedy Short
Endowed By: David K. Ream
Best Family Short
Presented By: University School
Best LGBTQ+ Short: Given in Celebration of the Life of Nikki Babbit
Presented By: Jamie Babbit
Best Latinx Short
Presented By: La Familia Watilo Blake
Best Ohio Short
Presented By: Bill and Teri Koeth
Best Student Short
Presented By: MP Star Financial
Best Women's Short
Presented By: Jinny and John Johnson
The Clover and Maggie Award: In Celebration of Life
Presented By: Barbara Hawley & David Goodman
The Ophelia Award: In Celebration of the Life of Dakota Ophelia Berg
Presented By: Jim Brumbaugh & Carolyn Berg
The Spalding and Jackson Award: In Celebration of Joy
Presented By: Marcie Goodman & John C. Williams
The Tom and Ginny Knoll Family Award: In Celebration of Acts of Kindness
Presented By: Tom and Ginny Knoll and The Knoll Family Fund Promoting Civility and Acts of Kindness of Akron Community Foundation