American Cinema Editors Student Editing Award
Annual competition from American Cinema Editors recognizing outstanding editing by film students, with winners honored at the ACE Eddie Awards ceremony.
Overview
American Cinema Editors (ACE) is the honorary society of film editors, and its Student Editing Award recognizes exceptional editorial craft by students at accredited film schools and universities. Winners are honored at the annual ACE Eddie Awards, one of the most prestigious events in post-production, alongside professional editors whose work represents the highest achievement in the field.
The ACE Student Editing Award evaluates editing specifically, not overall filmmaking quality. Judges assess rhythm, pacing, story structure, emotional impact, transitions, and the editor's ability to shape raw footage into a compelling narrative. This discipline-specific focus makes the award particularly valuable for students committed to a career in editorial.
ACE members include the editors of virtually every major film and television production in Hollywood. Winning the Student Editing Award connects young editors with this community and signals to potential employers that the recipient has been recognized by the profession's most accomplished practitioners.
What It Covers
- $5,000 cash prize for the winner
- ACE Eddie Awards ceremony -- the winner is honored alongside professional editing award recipients
- Industry visibility -- recognition from the editorial community's highest authority
- ACE community access -- connection to working editors and mentorship opportunities
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in or have recently graduated from an accredited film school or university. The submitted work must be a student production in which the applicant served as the editor. Films must meet length and format requirements published annually by ACE. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.
How to Apply
Entries are submitted through the ACE website. Submissions include the edited film, documentation of the applicant's editorial role, and proof of student status. The deadline is typically in October or November. Schools may need to verify the academic nature of the production.
Who Should Apply
Film students whose primary focus is editing and whose student work demonstrates strong editorial craft. The competition rewards editors who show mastery of timing, emotional pacing, narrative structure, and the ability to elevate material through editorial choices.
See Also
For understanding editorial workflows, see Post-Production Essentials. To plan your post-production timeline, use the Post-Production Timeline Calculator.
