The 2026 ACE Eddie Awards have crowned their winners, and the film industry is buzzing with excitement! But here's where it gets controversial—the awards have sparked debates about the art of editing and its impact on storytelling.
'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' Dominate Film Categories:
The Warner Bros. films 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' took the top honors in the dramatic and comedic film categories, respectively. Michael P. Shawver's editing in 'Sinners' earned him the Best Edited Feature Drama award, while Andy Jurgensen's work on 'One Battle After Another' secured the Feature Comedy prize. Both editors are now in the running for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Editing, a category that has historically favored Eddie Award winners.
Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' Sweeps Animated Feature:
In the animated realm, Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' continued its awards season dominance by winning Best Edited Animated Feature. The film's editor, Nathan Schauf, has already celebrated a successful week with wins at the Annie Awards and a VES Award. This victory solidifies the film's place as a front-runner in the animation category.
TV Categories Celebrate Excellence in Editing:
The ACE Eddie Awards also recognized outstanding editing in television. HBO Max's 'The Pitt' won Best Edited Drama Series, adding to its Emmy win last year. HBO's 'The Penguin' took home the Limited Series award, while Apple TV's 'The Studio' and CBS's 'Frasier' won in the Single Camera and Multi-Camera Comedy Series categories, respectively.
Documentaries and Special Honors:
The Perfect Neighbor' won Best Edited Documentary Feature, and HBO's 'Pee-wee as Himself' claimed the TV documentary prize. The ceremony also featured special honors, with Ang Lee receiving the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award. Emmy-winning editor Arthur Forney and Oscar-nominated editor Robert Leighton were both celebrated with Career Achievement awards, solidifying their legacies in the editing world.
And the Rest of the Winners Are...:
The 2026 ACE Eddie Awards celebrated a diverse range of talent. South Park's 'Twisted Christian' episode won Best Edited Animated Series, while 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' and 'Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special' took home awards in the non-scripted and variety categories. The Best Edited Short award went to 'All the Empty Rooms,' and 'A Winter's Song' won for Best Edited Feature Film (Non-Theatrical).
These awards highlight the often-unsung heroes of the film and television industries—the editors. Their craft shapes the narrative, pacing, and emotional impact of every scene. But what makes a great edit? Is it the seamless blending of shots, the ability to create tension, or the art of telling a story through visual cues? The debate continues, and we invite you to share your thoughts on the importance of editing in the comments below. Do you think editors get the recognition they deserve? Let's discuss!
