San Diego 2026 Nominees
Nominees for this year's "Duanie" statue awards are in. Winners will be announced October 10 at the Best of San Diego Screening and Awards Gala. Star trophy nominees are listed after the statue categories, and additional star trophy awards will be given to films. For examples of last year's awards, see the 2025 Competition Summary
Best Directing
- Andres Honold for Before or After by Argos Productions
- Jonathan Stellmach & Carlo Fiorillo for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
- Carl Eduardo Ling for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Jason Joswick & Diane Sargent for Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
- Grayson Joralemon for Shifter by Goon Squad
- Mark Anthony Gadia for Other Skills by Almost Good Films X Jabronie Pictures
- Nathaniel Niell for After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
Best Screenwriting
- Andres Honold for Before or After by Argos Productions
- Jonathan Stellmach & Carlo Fiorillo for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
- Miles Labovitch & Zaky Lozuk for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Diane Sargent for Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
- Grayson Joralemon & Josh Sims for Shifter by Goon Squad
- Alexander Petit for Charlie by The 2880 Minute Movie Makers
- Zachary Colton for The Tour Guide by Film Logic Studios
Best Actor
- Don Loper for Before or After by Argos Productions
- Thomas Van Briggle for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Anthony Hamm for Culpa by Cimitoro Productions
- Josh Sims for Shifter by Goon Squad
- Harry Kakatsakis for After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
- Alexander Petit for Charlie by The 2880 Minute Movie Makers
- Parker Heath for The Tour Guide by Film Logic Studios
Best Actress
- Hope Dagdagan for Other Skills by Almost Good Films X Jabronie Pictures
- Sarah Duntley for Before or After by Argos Productions
- Diane Sargent for Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
- Samaiya Hayes for Romance is Dead by Golden Hour Collective
- Bianca Nialani for Miss Engagement by House of Kirby
- Angel L Hivoina for Threads of Amoria by Neuro Spice Brigade
- Abi Yates for After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
Best Cinematography
- Cheryl Andaya for Misguided Tours by All Kinds of Shoot
- Ryan Alva for Before or After by Argos Productions
- Carlo Fiorillo for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
- Jordan H Pringle for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Drew Floyd for Hiking Along (With You) by Digital Lemonade Stand
- Grayson Joralemon for Shifter by Goon Squad
- Jake Segraves for Moonshot by state of flux
Best Editing
- Matthew Dominguez for Other Skills by Almost Good Films X Jabronie Pictures
- John Dandridge for Before or After by Argos Productions
- Carlo Fiorillo for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
- Chasen Dinh & Simon Lim for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Mauricio Navarro for Culpa by Cimitoro Productions
- Grayson Joralemon for Shifter by Goon Squad
- Nathaniel Niell for After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
Best Musical Score
- Nikko Nobleza for Other Skills by Almost Good Films X Jabronie Pictures
- Can Karacadagli for Before or After by Argos Productions
- Asher Marc for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Brad Verrier for The Station at the End of the World by IntelleXual Entertainment
- Victor J. Maldonado for After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
- Steve Adams for Last Shot by No Umbrella Studios
- W. Aaron Rice for The Murder House by Liminal Films Studio
Star trophy nominees
Best Ensemble Cast
- Culpa by Cimitoro Productions
- Passing Through by Breakfast for Dinner
- Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
Best Supporting Actor
- Davis Do for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Jonathan Stellmach for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
- Rey Hernandez for Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
Best Supporting Actress
- Alex Niell for After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
- Aja Faranda for Threads of Amoria by Neuro Spice Brigade
- Lisa Wanzung for Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
Best Non-Human Character
- Zoe for Missing Zoe by Pseudo Rational
- Teddy for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
- Valkyrie for Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
Best Lighting Design
- Cheryl Andaya & Dice Moreno for Misguided Tours by All Kinds of Shoot
- Jordan H Pringle for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Anthony Cohen for Shifter by Goon Squad
Best Production Design
- Jonathan Lopez for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Paul Giret for Passing Through by Breakfast for Dinner
- Grayson Joralemon for Shifter by Goon Squad
Best Practical Effects
- Adam Kyron Murillo for Culpa by Cimitoro Productions
- Monica Camero for Misguided Tours by All Kinds of Shoot
- The Dog Jaw Team for Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
Best Stunt Choreography
- Carl Eduardo Ling for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Fernando J. Huerto for Other Skills by Almost Good Films X Jabronie Pictures
- Grayson Joralemon for Shifter by Goon Squad
Best Original Song
- Jarrah Newman & The Cane Toad Productions Team for Employee of the Month by Cane Toad Productions
- Alan Perales, Lucy Wolfe & Tony Felix for Misguided Tours by All Kinds of Shoot
- Adam Frye & The Breakfast for Dinner Team for Passing Through by Breakfast for Dinner
Best Sound Design
- Alan Perales for Misguided Tours by All Kinds of Shoot
- Asher Marc for Nice to Meat You by Carlling Productions
- Carlo Fiorillo for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
Best Post-Production Visual Effects
- Mauricio Navarro for Culpa by Cimitoro Productions
- Frank Carlisle for The Station at the End of the World by IntelleXual Entertainment
- Carlo Fiorillo for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
Best End Credits
- Alex Niell for After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
- Paul Giret for Passing Through by Breakfast for Dinner
- Jonathan Stellmach for Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
Best Concept
- After Life by Next Sunday A.D.
- Untitled_ActionScript by blackhat media
- Veloci-boyfriend by Dog Jaw Productions
