FILM AWARDS

Designed for Filmmakers

Whether you are an emerging director, an established producer, a screenwriter developing your first feature, or a production team seeking international recognition, the US Film Awards offers an accessible entry point with a professional standard of evaluation.

Submission fees are intentionally modest to encourage volume and inclusion, while membership opportunities provide optional industry engagement during AFM week.

2026 Founding Member Programme

To mark the inaugural edition, a limited-time Founding Member status is available for 2026 only.

Founding Members receive priority industry visibility, official recognition as part of the inaugural cohort, and access to AFM-week networking opportunities.

Feature Film Awards

Best Picture

Best Feature Film – Drama
Best Feature Film – Comedy
Best Feature Film – Thriller
Best Feature Film – Horror
Best Feature Film – Action
Best Feature Film – Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Best Feature Film – Documentary
Best Feature Film – Animation
Best Independent Feature Film

Cast & Crew

Best Actor – Feature Film
Best Actress – Feature Film
Best Supporting Actor – Feature Film
Best Supporting Actress – Feature Film
Best Ensemble Cast – Feature Film
Best Director – Feature Film
Best Producer – Feature Film
Best Screenplay – Feature Film
Best Cinematography – Feature Film
Best Editing – Feature Film
Best Original Score – Feature Film
Best Sound Design – Feature Film
Best Production Design – Feature Film
Best Visual Effects – Feature Film

Cast & Crew

Best Actor – Short Film
Best Actress – Short Film
Best Supporting Actor – Short Film
Best Supporting Actress – Short Film
Best Ensemble Cast – Short Film
Best Director – Short Film
Best Producer – Short Film
Best Screenplay – Short Film
Best Cinematography – Short Film
Best Editing – Short Film
Best Original Score – Short Film
Best Sound Design – Short Film
Best Production Design – Short Film
Best Visual Effects – Short Film

Short Film Awards

Best Short Film

Best Short Film – Drama
Best Short Film – Comedy
Best Short Film – Thriller
Best Short Film – Horror
Best Short Film – Action
Best Short Film – Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Best Short Film – Documentary
Best Short Film – Animation
Best Micro Short Film

International Awards

Country-specific recognition is presented for major film-producing regions including:

UK
France
Italy
Nordics
China
Russia
India
Japan
South Korea
Canada

Continental and regional awards ensure global inclusion:

Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
South America
Australia / Oceania
Middle East

Films may be considered for either a country-specific international award or a continental award, but not both.

United States Territory Awards

The US Film Awards recognizes filmmaking achievement across all 50 States. One award may be presented per state.

Special Recognition Awards

Best Documentary
Best First-Time Filmmaker
Breakthrough Actor
Breakthrough Actress
Outstanding Achievement Award
Industry Impact Award

Best Black-Led Feature Film
Best Black-Led Short Film
Best LGBTQ+ Feature Film
Best LGBTQ+ Short Film
Best Student Feature Film
Best Student Short Film

Legacy Awards

(Films Completed 3+ Years Prior)

Best Legacy Feature Film
Best Legacy Short Film
Best Legacy Feature Documentary
Best Legacy Short Documentary
Best Legacy Animated Feature
Best Legacy Animated Short Film
Best Legacy International Feature Film
Best Legacy International Short Film

Legacy awards are judged independently from current-year submissions.