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​Prizes

 

 

 

 

You Gotta See It Prize

Sponsored by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

 Awarded to Films that are:

• Quirky, Offbeat, Surprising

• Prize: $300 in Alamo Passes

 

 

Best Opening / Closing Credits Prize

Sponsored by Missouri Film Office

 Awarded to Films that:

• Show exceptional creativity & storytelling using motion graphics and other elements as part of the Film's Opening Credits, Closing Credits, or both

 

 

Golden Weaver Prize

Sponsored by Graceway Baptist Church

Explore a character’s moral dilemma through the lens of Jesus’ New Testament teachings.

• The ‘moral dilemma’ must have potentially bad consequences
• The physically non-violent resolution must be inspired by any of these: wisdom, love, diplomacy, grace, forgiveness, justice, faith, redemption
• Do NOT use any foul, offensive, or discriminatory language
• Do NOT depict any sexual activity implicitly or explicitly

Scriptural references are optional.

 

 

Family Film Project Prize

Sponsored by James Bacon

To be eligible, the team must meet ONE of these criteria:

1. Directed by an adult immediate family member (either parent, grandparent, legal guardian and/or a stepparent, etc.)  “with one or more of their Children/grandchildren (age 18 or younger, stepchildren and/or legally adopted children) acting as main character(s) in the film.

OR

1. Directed by the Child with at least one adult immediate family member as defined above acting as a main character in the film.

OR

1. Both a Child and one adult immediate family member as defined above acting in main roles of the same film.

 

Outstanding Movie Set Design Prize

Sponsored by LaBrie Family

The criteria for this prize is as follows:

• Create a set piece or pieces for your SATO48-2026 Film.

 

The Al LaBrie Prize celebrates a family tradition of participating in SATO48 for nearly a decade and in particular their father, Al LaBrie, who instilled in his family a love of the arts. A builder by trade, Al also wrote plays, designed sets, and saw the value in creativity. If you created a set piece or pieces for your SATO48-2026 Film, OPT-IN for The Al LaBrie Prize.

 

 

Dapper Timeless Style Prize for Best Hair Design Prize

Sponsored by Dapper Barber

The Dapper Timeless Style Prize for Best Hair Design identifies hair styling that embodies the spirit of cinematic characterization through the deliberate manipulation of a character's hair that best serves the story. It might be "elegance"—where every strand is immaculate, it might be the very opposite; period-specific or subtly modern! The winning film features hair that goes beyond styling to the level of craft—evoking character, era, and atmosphere with intention and finesse. We value continuity, thoughtful design, and the kind of presence that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. Above all, we’re looking for style that is, in every sense of the word, dapper—distinct, refined, and timeless—as it relates to the film story.

 

 

Best Nerd Out Film Prize

Sponsored by Fanatics and the Fan

This prize is awarded to a film that best represents and celebrates the breadth of nerd culture through its subject matter, themes, and overall presentation.

 

Eligible films should clearly draw from or be inspired by one or more of the following areas: VIDEO GAMES, SCIENCE FICTION, HORROR, FANTASY, ANIME, MANGA, COMIC BOOKS, SUPERHERO STORYTELLING, KARATE AND MARTIAL ARTS FILMS, ACTION CINEMA, and WESTERNS.

 

Submissions may be serious, comedic, stylized, or experimental, but must demonstrate a strong connection to genre storytelling commonly associated with fan-driven communities. This can include elements such as world-building, speculative concepts, heightened action, stylized combat, or narratives rooted in fandom-inspired genres.

 

Films do not need to fit into a single category and may blend multiple influences. Both literal interpretations (e.g., superheroes, monsters, futuristic settings) and creative or grounded interpretations (e.g., action-driven stories, martial arts showcases, western-inspired storytelling, or narratives inspired by gaming or anime structure) are acceptable.

 

Most Creative Use of Product Placement Prize

Sponsored by Springfield Creatives

• Prize Description: This prize is awarded to the team whose film most creatively integrates a fictitious product, service, or company into their story.

 

Must be a fictitious brand or product; can NOT be a pre-existing logo, brand, product, company, or service (i.e. Doritos, Lambert's, Coca-Cola)

Product or Company logo must be shown prominently on screen and/ or directly spoken by at least one character.

Examples: Joe's Plumbing Co., "The Soda Pop", Mary's Lawn Service, etc.