JDIFF Celebrates 2026 Award Winners at Red Carpet Gala in Five Flags Center Theater
The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival closed its 2026 edition with a red-carpet Awards Night on April 25 at the Five Flags Center Theater, honoring standout filmmakers from around the world.
Max Leonida’s Dozier received Best Feature, with Edward Edvanzd and producer Paola Cipollina joining in the celebration. Bedabrata Pain earned Best Documentary for Deja Vu, while Tim Connery’s The Drifless captured the Audience Choice Award.
Feature Honorable Mention went to Honey Lauren for Mistake. Documentary Honorable Mention was awarded to Rustin Thompson for The Last Picture Shows.
Shruti Parekh won Best Student Film for Homeboy, and Wes Tian was named Best Young Filmmaker for Mind Over Matter.
In short film categories, Daniel Kreizberg received Best Short One for Anyone Who Lived in a Pretty How Town, and Jordan Campbell took Best Short Two for Ukraine Under Fire.
Sabbuur Ikhlas and Matthew Brewster won Best Family Film for Untouchables. Remi Gangarossa was recognized for Best Use of Music for Marilyn’s Dark Paradise. Katrin Eichberger received Best Actor for From the Outside World.
The annual red-carpet celebration brought filmmakers, cast, and audiences together to close out a week of international cinema in downtown Dubuque.
For more information, visit julienfilmfest.com.
