#EOFF2026 Audience Choice Awards Announced
1,561 Audience Votes Help Determine Festival Favorites as Eastern Oregon Film Festival Celebrates Its 17th Year
Eastern Oregon Film Festival (EOFF) is proud to announce the 2026 Audience Choice Award winners, recognizing the films that resonated most with festivalgoers during the organization’s 17th annual celebration, held October 14–17 in downtown La Grande, Oregon.
Following the announcement of this year’s Juried Award winners, the Audience Choice Awards turn the spotlight toward the people who filled theater seats, engaged with filmmakers, and experienced this year’s collection of independent cinema.
1,561 Audience Votes Cast
Four award categories. One incredible festival community.
Throughout the festival, 1,561 individual film ratings were collected from scanned ticket holders attending in-person screenings and viewers participating virtually.
Audiences rated films on a five-point scale, with five representing the highest score. The results were tabulated to determine the audience favorites across five award categories.
These awards reflect the enthusiasm, curiosity, and appreciation of the audiences who make Eastern Oregon Film Festival such a meaningful gathering each year.
2026 Audience Choice Award Winners
Eastern Oregon Film Festival congratulates the following films and their creative teams:
BEST FEATURE
RADIOHEART: The Drive and Times of DJ Kevin Cole
BEST SHORT
BEST IN COMEDY
BEST STUDENT FILM
The Pearl Comb earned recognition in two categories, taking home both Best Short and Best Horror. RADIOHEART: The Drive and Times of DJ Kevin Cole and American Boy also received recognition from this year’s jury, demonstrating the impact these films had on audiences and jurors alike.
Congratulations to all our award recipients and to the filmmakers behind the 54 officially selected films that made #EOFF2026 a memorable celebration of independent cinema.
YOUR FESTIVAL. YOUR VOICE.
Attended #EOFF2026? We want to hear from you!
Help shape the future of Eastern Oregon Film Festival by sharing your experience in our Audience Participation Survey.
COMPLETE THE #EOFF2026 PARTICIPATION SURVEY
A Festival Built by Community
The success of Eastern Oregon Film Festival extends well beyond the screen. Each year, an extraordinary network of individuals, businesses, organizations, and community partners comes together to transform La Grande into a destination for independent film, music, and creative exchange.
To our sponsors and community partners: Thank you for investing in independent cinema and recognizing the cultural and economic value of bringing filmmakers and audiences together in Eastern Oregon. Your continued support allows EOFF to grow, experiment, and create opportunities that extend far beyond festival weekend.
To our volunteers: You are the heartbeat of this event. From welcoming guests and managing box office operations to supporting screenings, filmmaker hospitality, transportation, and late-night celebrations, your generosity and dedication make the festival possible.
To our Board of Directors: Thank you for your leadership, guidance, and commitment to sustaining and strengthening this organization. Your work behind the scenes helps ensure that EOFF continues to evolve, expand its reach, and pursue new opportunities for independent filmmakers and our community.
And to our filmmakers, visiting artists, audiences, and the entire La Grande community: thank you for showing up, participating, and making this festival your own.
The return to The Granada marked an exciting milestone in EOFF’s history, and the energy surrounding this year’s festival reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces where independent stories can be experienced together.
Seventeen years in, EOFF continues to reach new heights because of the people who believe in what we’re building together.
Help Shape the Next EOFF
While the awards have been announced and the screenings have concluded, the conversation doesn’t have to end.
Eastern Oregon Film Festival invites everyone who attended #EOFF2026 to complete our Audience Participation Survey.
Whether you attended one screening or spent all four days immersed in films, music, and festival activities, your feedback matters.
Your responses help us understand the festival experience, measure our cultural and economic impact, and identify opportunities to improve and expand future programming. They also provide valuable insight as we seek continued support from sponsors, community partners, and grant-making organizations.
What worked? What could be better? What would you like to see next year?
Your perspective directly contributes to the future of Eastern Oregon Film Festival.
TAKE THE #EOFF2026 PARTICIPATION SURVEY
Thank you for being part of our 17th annual celebration. We look forward to building on this year’s momentum and welcoming you back to La Grande for the 18th Annual Eastern Oregon Film Festival, October 15–17, 2027.
See you at the movies!