The ShAFF 2026 best film winners have been picked by the judges, including Paul Hodgson, Hannah Maia, Simon Taylor and Jimmy Hyland. There were more than 105 films and the top 13 category winners for ShAFF 2026 are revealed below.
You can see the films as part of the festival. Check out times and tickets.
Best Film Gold Winner
Champions Of The Golden Valley
Judge Paul Hodgson said: “There is an Afghani skiing scene in the same Bamyan valley where the Taliban blew up the famous 1500 year old giant Buddha statues, although most of the best skiers are refugees and this film tells their remarkable story. The film-making is top drawer, with beautiful photography and witty story telling, so it is both eye-opening and entertaining, with no pat happy endings. The Taliban have banned women from skiing and indeed all sport. The patriarchy remains boring. “
Best Film Silver Winner
Catching Pinecones
Hannah Maia said: “What a couple! What a woman! I loved this film. Unusual counter cultural people doing their own thing and giving back to the world with zero ego.”
Best Film Bronze
The Oldest Munro Bagger
Simon Taylor said: “Such a beautiful and delicate film. The film makers have managed to echo Nick’s speed of living and thoughtfulness. He is more than inspirational. His personal characteristics are the complete antithesis of the ego-maniacal leaders we have in the world.”
Best Activism Film Gold
The Big Sea
Frit Tam, the Festival Director, said: “Much like Dark Waters (Hollywood film exposing the dangers of Teflon and non-stick coatings), this film is such an important exposé of the health implications and deaths caused by the production of neoprene. I learnt a lot from this film, and I will 100% be making better choices from now on. A film that’s definitely not to be missed.”
Best Activism Film – Silver
Best Day Ever
Freit said: “Such a powerhouse of a film showcasing the incredible impact of adaptive cycling, trails and community. I could watch this film all over again immediately. One certainly not to be missed.”
Best Activism Film – Bronze
Sand Dancers
Hannah said: “One of my favourite films of the festival. A community story so well told with inventors, adrenaline junkies and Jimmy! This film had me in tears of joy.”
Best Bike Film Bronze
A Life in Tandem
Hannah said: “A beautiful film. A complex story with many threads but well crafted and edited so it never loses it’s way. Theres tragedy and despair which induced me to tears. There’s also warmth, vulnerability, laughter and awkwardness. Such a fundamentally raw and human film.”
Judges’ Special Mentions
These are three films which kept cropping up for all the right reasons during the discussion but never made it on to the podium for any of the awards for one reason or another beyond their control.
The Loneliest Race
Simon said: “This is an adventure film that has everything. One of the very best in this year’s festival.”
Sink Or Skim
Hannah said: “Peculiarly eccentric with wonderful characters. A firm favourite.”
King Of Chaos
Hannah said: “The people’s hero! Justina is a spectacular athlete and the story here is well told.”
See all ShAFF 2026 screenings