CARE Awards

03/25/2026

Now accepting Vertical Microdramas! Submit your vertical film today on filmfreeway!

01/20/2026

01/15/2026

🎬 Submissions are officially open!
The CARE Awards now welcomes Vertical Micro-Drama Films—short-form storytelling created for the vertical screen!
This is our 10th year anniversary!

11/16/2025

11/16/2025

Another fun event this weekend in Parkersburg, WV if you weren't able to attend the Dylan Goes Acoustic event last weekend.

11/16/2025

Congratulations!!!

11/14/2025

Thanks to everyone who made this years festival great!

11/13/2025

Please accept our apologies as the Winner for Best Proof of Concept Film was not listed! Congratulations
Truly an amazing film!

11/11/2025

Congratulations once again to all of our 2025 CARE Awards winners and nominees.
Certificates and laurels will be emailed next week — and can also be accessed via FilmFreeway.

11/11/2025

🏆 2025 CARE AWARD WINNERS 🏆

🎞️ Excellence in Appalachia Film Award – Mister Stitches
🎬 Best Director – Michael Smith for Mister Stitches
🌟 Best Proof of Concept Film – Traitor
🎶 Best Music Video – Dear Beyoncé
👩‍🎤 Women in Film Award – Sam Joseph
🎓 Best Student Film – 4teen
💫 Rising Star – Owen Myer
🎖️ Veteran’s Film Award – The Path
😂 Best Mockumentary – Conflicted Cuties of Color
🎭 Best Dramatic Feature – Rhythm of Dammam
💰 Gary Laurence Wilson: Micro Budget Master Award – Suburban Safari
🤣 Best Comedy – Haunting of Prince Don Pedro
😱 Best Thriller/Horror – The Days of Knight: Chapter 1
🎹 Best Original Score – New Cycle / Original Game Score
🪶 Best Indigenous & Poetic Cinema – My Message to You
✝️ Redemptive Short – Cross Examination
🌍 Redemptive Feature & Diversity in Media Award – Inmates with Talent
👧 Best Children’s Film & Best Animation – Tiny Teaching Tales
🎥 Best Dramatic Short – N.I.L.ionaires
🎧 Best Film Soundtrack – The Path
🚀 Best Science Fiction Film – The Theory of Infinity
🌐 Best Web Series – Amber Oak: The Time Traveler’s Dilemma
📽️ Best Documentary Feature – The Seeds of Sovereignty
🎒 Best Documentary Short – Last Climber on Three Peaks
🚁 Best Aerial Cinematography – Last Climber on Three Peaks & Crossing Through the Highlands of Iceland
🎞️ Best Cinematography – Fighting for Florida
🌀 Best Experimental Film – The Healing Process
🧠 Best Screenplay – Fantasy Fading
🎭 Best Actor – Rich Holton in Enter the Room
🌎 Best Foreign Film – Masters and Vices

⸻

📜 Certificates will be emailed to all winners within the coming week, and official laurels will be posted. You may also download or create laurels through FilmFreeway’s “Laurels” section.

💬 Quote of the Year:

“Greatness in film isn’t measured by budget or fame — but by the courage to tell stories that move hearts and change minds.”

Thank you so much to our sponsors! You will get your own post!