Thank You
to everyone who made ACFF 2026 our most successful festival yet!
We’re grateful to the filmmakers, guests, sponsors, partners, donors, volunteers, and audiences who made the weekend so special.
Save the date for next year:
March 12-14, 2027
Thank you to our photographers: Pangtography, Thad Reid, Sarah Gulick, Jen Rolston.
ACFF 2026 SHORT FILM
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD WINNER
In Her Nature:
Sloth Detectives
This film followed an award-winning zoologist, her tree-climbing BFF, and their sloth-sniffing rescue dog team up in Costa Rica’s jungles for the first-ever sloth census, mixing science, adventure, and plenty of laughs to protect these creatures. The all-female film crew that captured rarely observed sloth behaviors on camera joined us after the film for an inspiring Q&A.
Congratulations to Jocelyn Stokes, Katie Schuler, Melanie Lippert, Jess Wiegandt Gomez, and Ash Benzwie!
ACFF 2026 FEATURE FILM
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD WINNER
Snow Leopard Sisters
This true story of an unlikely yet powerful friendship between two Indigenous women in the Himalayan mountains stole our audience’s heart. The documentary follows a snow leopard conservationist (and her toddler son) as she mentors a 17-year-old who is desperate to escape a forced marriage. Through intimate verité footage and stunning cinematography, the film highlights the power of the women’s conservation efforts in their own mountain home, shaping a better future for themselves and for the elusive snow leopards.
Congratulations to Andrew Lynch, Sonam Choekyi, and Ben Ayers!
AQUATIC LIFE QUILT RAFFLE WINNER
Kathy Seiler
Congrats to Kathy on winning this much coveted quilt—lovingly crafted by 18 community members. The quilt shines a light on the beauty, diversity, and precious nature of Appalachia’s aquatic species. Thanks to project coordinator Tracy Riordan, the artists, and 135 people who purchased tickets, we raised $2,310 to support bringing conservation films to broader audiences.
Kathy is shown here with ACFF Board Member Madge Morningstar.
