The 4th CFA Film Challenge has officially wrapped, and once again our community of filmmakers, actors, and crew members delivered a weekend of remarkable creativity. Over the course of 72 hours, stories came to life that demonstrated vision, grit, and collaboration—proving that independent filmmaking thrives on both passion and teamwork. To everyone who took part, thank you for sharing your art and energy with us.

At the top of this season’s challenge, the CFA Pinnacle Award went to 2x6, a striking short written and directed by Isabel Siragusa. Produced by Siragusa alongside Katy Wicker, the film featured performances from Rachel Amanda Bryant, David Chernyavsky, and Willem Long, with Marilyn Flores behind the camera and Gene Blalock shaping the edit. A dedicated crew, including Jason Sayada on sound and Jordan Francis on lighting, helped bring the project to life—showcasing the level of craft and collaboration this challenge was built to inspire.

The CFA Breakthrough Award, which celebrates first-time filmmakers, was awarded to ETA 5, written and directed by the duo of Shylah Owens and Vlad Gherghel and produced by Patrick Shelffo. With strong performances from Joel Muniz, Silvina Herrera, and Ava-Milan Guinto, and key creative contributions from Merlin Vande Weyer and Tobin Raza, the film stood out as an exciting debut effort that signals the arrival of bold new voices.

This year’s CFA Spotlight Award, honoring actor-led initiatives, went to Party Police. Directed by Benjamin Robert Vigil and produced by Kennedy Martin, the project highlighted the power of performers taking storytelling into their own hands, shaping narratives from the ground up.

Finally, the Runner-Up recognition went to Falling Out, directed by Jerry Swift and written by Jonathan Davis. Produced by Leon Hogg, the film featured Davis in a leading role alongside Angelica Hart and Popi Taylor, with Swift and Hogg also serving as cinematographers. The project exemplified how strong teamwork can elevate a deeply personal story.

As always, the challenge wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors, including Festival Formula, We Audition, GVM LED, Blackmagic Design, Indie Spunk, Cast Me Now, League of Filmmakers, and many others. Their contributions ensure that independent filmmakers have the tools and platforms they need to create.

With another challenge now in the books, we celebrate not just the winners but every participant who dared to tell a story under pressure. The CFA Film Challenge continues to grow as a space where creativity flourishes, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Register for the next challenge

Highlights from the 4th CFA Film Challenge + The Winners!

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