The 2026 Sarasota Film Festival has announced the winners of its 28th annual edition, with Charliebird taking the Narrative Feature Competition prize and Soul Patrol winning Documentary Feature Competition honors.
The festival wrapped its latest edition on April 19 after a week of screenings, panels and community events in Sarasota, Florida. This year’s closing-night film was Julian Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante, followed by a Q&A with Schnabel and actor Louis Cancelmi. The festival also recognized Schnabel with its Achievement in Directing Award, while former NBA player Kenny Anderson received the Achievement in Sport Award.
During the festival, SFF also presented a sports showcase at New College of Florida, highlighted by a complimentary youth soccer clinic led by players from Sarasota Paradise. The program also included screenings of Ski Dawgs, directed by Kevin Ulrich, alongside the 1981 film Victory.
Libby Ewing’s Charliebird won the jury prize for narrative feature. The film centers on Al, a music therapist at a children’s hospital, whose life is changed by Charlie, a guarded teenage patient. The two form an unexpected bond as they navigate an uncertain future together.
In documentary feature, J.M. Harper’s Soul Patrol claimed the top prize. The film explores the story of the first all-Black special operations unit to serve in the Vietnam War, following surviving members of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol as they reunite and reflect on their service, trauma, and brotherhood.
The documentary jury also gave a Special Jury Mention to Alysa Nahmias’ Cookie Queens, a coming-of-age documentary about Girl Scout Cookie season and the pressures that come with it.
Audience awards went to Ari Selinger’s On the End for narrative feature and John H. Cunningham’s Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers for documentary. In the shorts categories, “In Plain Sight” won Best U.S. Narrative Short, “40 Days in Saratoga” won Best Documentary Short and “My Neighbor” won Best Animated Short.
“I’m honored to help close out the 28th year of the Sarasota Film Festival by celebrating the exceptional films showcased this year,” Sarasota Film Festival president and chairman of the board Mark Famiglio said in a statement. “Congratulations to our award winners and the filmmakers behind them, and thank you to our Jury for their thoughtful recognition.”
He added that the festival was “proud to close with In the Hand of Dante from Julian Schnabel” and emphasized that the event exists “for the community — to champion diverse voices and the power of storytelling.”
2026 Sarasota Film Festival award winners:
Narrative Feature Competition Winner
Charliebird — Director: Libby Ewing
Documentary Feature Competition Winner
Soul Patrol — Director: J.M. Harper
Documentary Feature Jury Special Mention
Cookie Queens — Director: Alysa Nahmias
U.S. Narrative Short Competition Winner
“In Plain Sight” — Director: Mark Hulsewe
Documentary Short Competition Winner
“40 Days in Saratoga” — Directors: Sam Centore and Michael Madden
Animated Short Competition Winner
“My Neighbor” — Directors: Dominic Carola and Love Carola
Narrative Audience Award
On the End — Director: Ari Selinger
Documentary Audience Award
Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers — Director: John H. Cunningham
