About

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Cookies & Comedy Film Festival is Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Harris Theater in downtown Pittsburgh. We've curated another fantastic selection of the funniest films from around the world, along with live comedy performances and of course - cookies!

We're turning Pittsburgh into a comedy powerhouse! Our festival is packed with top-notch comedy short films from our own yinzers and funny folks from all over the globe. Expect more laughs than you can shake a pierogi at! Here's what's comin' dahn the road:

  • Hilarious Screenings: A curated selection of the funniest films from around the world and from our talented local filmmakers.
  • Live Comedy Acts: Film blocks hosted by Pittsburgh's top standup comics.
  • Insightful Q&As: Interactive sessions with filmmakers.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry professionals, fellow filmmakers, and comedy enthusiasts.
  • Cookies: Enjoy a Pittsburgh-style cookie table at the award ceremony.

Come for the laughs! Stay for the cookies!

What to Expect at Our Festival

2026 Featured Comedians

Mike Zydel

Mike Zydel

Matty Malloy

Matty Malloy

Mary Warwick

Mary Warwick

Live comedy performances between film blocks

Q&A with filmmakers

Engaging Q&A sessions with filmmakers

Cookie table at the festival

Our famous cookie table

Attendees networking

Connect with fellow film enthusiasts

Film Submissions

June 1 - December 31, 2026

Schedule Announcement

January 14, 2027

Festival Day

March 2027 (Day TBD)

The festival will be held at the Harris Theater in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

Audience enjoying comedy films at our festival

2026 Awards Categories

In our upcoming festival, we'll be celebrating the best in comedy filmmaking across multiple categories. Winners will receive custom certificates, festival laurels, recognition on IMDB, and of course - cookies!

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Best Short Film NEW!$500 Cash Prize

For outstanding comedy shorts between 5-20 minutes

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Best Super Short

For hilarious micro-films under 5 minutes

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Best Foreign Film

For excellent non-US comedy entries

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Best Comedic Acting

For standout comedic performances

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Best Local Film

For the best Pittsburgh-area submissions

Musical performance at Cookies & Comedy Film Festival

Darin DiNapoli entertaining the audience with his hilarious improvised cookie-themed singing during the 2025 awards ceremony

What Our Filmmakers Say

Happy audience at Cookies & Comedy Film Festival

"This was such a fun time full of truly lovely people and good films! Scott was very communicative and friendly, and the event went off without a hitch. Thanks so much for including us!"

— Katherine Coleman, 2025 Filmmaker

"We hope to be back! Just a great experience to have as a filmmaker. The communication, venue, and crowds were great."

— Pat Battistini, 2025 Filmmaker

2026 Schedule

Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Harris Theater

Tickets are now on sale!

Block 1 That's Absurd Block 2 The Struggle is Real Block 3 Nothing More Than Feelings

Buy all three blocks and save $2 per ticket!

Click a film title for more info

Cookies & Coffee Mixer

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Mingle with fellow film lovers, grab first dibs on our famous cookies, and enjoy some coffee while everyone checks in.

Matty Malloy

That's Absurd

Hosted by Matty Malloy

12:00PM - 2:20PM

Comedy Kickoff with Matty Malloy
The Film That Never Begins
Long Island Life Hacks
Cookies
Mom Walkers
The Spectral Hour
Devilocalypto: A Devilish Deposition
Gold Hearts
Intermission with Matty Malloy
MAGNET BRAIN
Back In Business
Complementary Colors
The Precarious Perils of Poor Patricia Packard
The Stool With Pants And Shoes On
Middle Age Inappropriate
Stakeout Siblings
Bomb Vylan
The Postman
Filmmaker Q&A session
Mary Warwick

The Struggle is Real

Hosted by Mary Warwick

2:40PM - 5:00PM

Comedy Kickoff with Mary Warwick
Procrastination
The Last Bird on Christmas
Great Googly
Time Travelers' Graveyard
Choice
SQUONK
Welcome To ESL
Intermission with Mary Warwick
The Hat Method
RIGHT ON!
What To-Do
Tech Rehearsal
Filmmaker Q&A session
Mike Zydel

Nothing More Than Feelings

Hosted by Mike Zydel

6:20PM - 8:40PM

Comedy Kickoff with Mike Zydel
Time Out
11:59
Clowning Around
Gaslighting Dad
The Queen of Pop
Toasty Thighs
Intermission with Mike Zydel
Knights on a Quest for Love
Am I The Asshole
In a Few Words
Te Seguiré a la Oscuridad
Crush(ed)
Hallow's Eve
Don't Forget You Are A Boy
Filmmaker Q&A session

Awards Ceremony and Networking

9:00PM

Join us as we honor this year's standouts, enjoy additional entertainment, and unveil our special oreshki cookies!

Join Us for 2026!

Tickets are now on sale!

Block 1 That's Absurd Block 2 The Struggle is Real Block 3 Nothing More Than Feelings

Buy all three blocks and save $2 per ticket!

Film Submission

Submissions Currently Closed

Submissions for the 2026 festival have ended. Submissions for 2027 will open in June 2026!

Submissions closed

Submission Guidelines:

  • Genre: Films must be primarily comedy.
  • Completion Date: Films should have been completed after January 1, 2025.
  • Language: Non-English films must include English subtitles.
  • Length: Films should not exceed 20 minutes.

Key Dates:

  • Submissions Open: June 1, 2026
  • Submission Deadline: December 31, 2026
  • Notification Date: January 14, 2027
  • Festival Date: March 2027 (Day TBD)

AI & Synthetic Media Policy (2027)

The Cookies & Comedy Film Festival recognizes that AI tools are increasingly part of modern filmmaking workflows. Rather than attempting to regulate every possible use, the festival is making a focused, pragmatic choice about character and performance.

The following are not permitted:

  • AI-generated characters, including foreground or background characters. This includes AI-generated faces, bodies, voices, or performances intended to function as characters in the film.
  • Synthetic replicas of real people (voice or likeness) without explicit consent from the individual depicted (and legal guardians where applicable).

This policy prioritizes human performance and authorship, and is intentionally aligned with evolving labor protections for performers and creators.

As labor organizations such as SAG-AFTRA establish clearer standards, consent models, and compensation frameworks for AI-generated character usage, the festival will revisit this policy accordingly.

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Have questions about our film festival? Want to volunteer or sponsor? We'd love to hear from you!

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Email Us

info@cookiesfilmfest.com

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