Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Festival
On Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 2026, we will present short films from current high school and college students across the United States. Films must be 15 minutes in length or less. We will accept films in the categories of animation, comedy, drama, horror, documentary or music video. Films will be considered by a team of judges from the Shenandoah University faculty and alumni base, the programming team at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and a group of industry professionals. Selected films will screen for a live audience at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Winchester. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Film Winner ($100), Finalist ($50), and Semi-Finalist ($25) JUDGES Paul DiFranco Director The Film Studio at Shenandoah Ariel Baska Filmmaker / Podcaster / Author Director, Ride the Omnibus Steve Nerangis Co-Owner Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Winchester VA Varla Dogwood Films Joseph Neff Film Manager Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Winchester VA Faye Cloven PR & Communications, Winchester-Frederick County Tourism Bureau Director, Psycho Cinema Mike Powell Writer / Director / Editor, Mirandum Pictures Mike is a writer/director and editor based in the greater Washington, DC area. He earned a master’s degree in literature from Catholic University and worked for several years in education, both as a teacher and textbook author, but chiefly employs his writing skills as Mirandum Pictures’ copywriter, developing.
