The 2026 Allentown Film Festival (AFF) award winners, announced on the AFF website, are:

Best Narrative Feature

“Pieces of Lilo,” Director Nathaniel Mathis

Best Narrative Short

“A Quart of Salt,” Director BJ Barretta

Best Documentary

“Dad Genes,” Director Craig Downing, Producer Matt Isaac

Best Horror Film

“Pyre,” Director Dylan Miller

Best Art-Related Film

“Yearn,” Director Ben Smith

Best Spanish-Language Film

“The Message, Omar G. Neri

Best Music Video

“Vodka,” Director Paul Michael Lincoln

Best Director

EmmyLou Diaz, “A Peculiar Morning”

Best Actor

Caleb Short, “Proper Disposal”

Best Actress

Brooke Harrsch, “Buch”

2026 Regional Short Film Contest Winners

The 1 minute to 5-Minute Short Film Contest $1,000 Grand Prize

“Popcorn Pushers,” Directors Jiah Peck and Thom Peeler

The K-12 Student Film Prize $100

“One More Night,” Director Ainsley Quay

The College Student Film Prize $100

“Between The Lines,” Director Sarah Campbell

The Non-Student Filmmaker Prize $100

“The Scissor Man,” Director Will Martinko

The fourth annual Allentown Film Festival was April 9 - 12, Civic Theatre of Allentown’s Nineteenth Street Theatre and Theatre514, and April 26, Allentown Art Museum.

There were 112 films selected from more than 1,100 films submitted by filmmakers around the world.

“Iowa Vet: Dogs, Cats, Corn, & Murder” was shown in preview. In the documentary film, Dr. Alan Younkin, Allentown Film Festival director, opens up about building an animal hospital, navigating seismic shifts in veterinary medicine and finding new purpose after moving on.

Information: https://www.allentownfilmfestival.org/allentown-film-festival