Film Festival
The Georgia Communication Association Film Festival (GCAFF) is an annual student film festival presented by the Georgia Communication Association (GCA). GCA was established in 1931 with the purpose of fostering interest in communication studies, arts, and education. It is the state affiliate of the National Communication Association. GCAFF showcases outstanding films and videos made by college/university students in Georgia. We seek to highlight students’ inspiring work that reflects their creative voices and unique talents.
The 2026 Film Festival screening will happen on Friday, February 27 at Mercer University in Macon, as part of the annual Conference.
39 submissions were reviewed by five external judges, including professional filmmakers and production faculty, assisted by Film Festival co-directors in the assessment process. The following winners will be honored at the 2026 Film Festival Screening, Friday February 27 at Mercer University in Macon, as part of the annual GCA Conference.
Procedures
Where/When: the Film Festival begins with a screening of films on Friday at 6pm in the Willet Science Center Auditorium, Mercer University Macon Campus. The screening is open to all conference attendees and will last just under one hour.
Parking: Please park in the Stetson Parking Lot. Please display a parking pass (free; print the attached copy or pick one up on site at Willet).
Dinner: Following the screening, guests will move to the ticketed Film Festival dinner and Awards presentation in the President’s Dining Room at University Center, also adjacent to the Stetson lot. GCA provides dinner tickets for free to the winning Director (and up to one additional credited co-Director), but all additional guests are asked to purchase dinner tickets, available at the GCA website for $25. Note that you won’t get an actual dinner ticket that you need to print or bring – purchase will add your name to the Dinner Ticket list.
Awards
Best of Festival Award
| Title | Student’s Name | Institution | Genre |
| Under Lock and Key | Dawson Jolicoeur | Kennesaw State University | Narrative |
Documentary Category
| Award Type | Title | Student’s Name | Institution |
| Best of Competition | Paul John Knowles – The Casnova Killer | Robert Johnson | Georgia College and State University |
| Award of Excellence | Hidden Allure | Carmen Hickman, Alexander Chavez-Ramos, Ryleigh Fox, Perry Westbrook, Rance Wingo | Piedmont University |
| Award of Excellence | Another Round | Della Goines, Erin Finnegan | Georgia College & State University |
Narrative Category
| Award Type | Title | Student’s Name | Institution |
| Best of Competition | Off-Script | Mikayla Williams | Kennesaw State University |
Micro-work Category
| Award Type | Title | Student’s Name | Institution |
| Award of Excellence | My Lovely Coffee | Aaliyah Francis | Georgia Gwinnett College |
Screening: All winning films will be screened on Friday evening, Feb. 27.
Awards: The “Best of Festival” winner will receive a $300 cash prize, and all winners will receive award plaques.