diff --git a/src/lib/ae_events/ae_events__event_session.ts b/src/lib/ae_events/ae_events__event_session.ts
index 8c32ab1b..1834b879 100644
--- a/src/lib/ae_events/ae_events__event_session.ts
+++ b/src/lib/ae_events/ae_events__event_session.ts
@@ -734,15 +734,19 @@ export async function search__event_session({
         });
     }
 
-    // qry_files: true = sessions WITH files (file_count > 0)
-    //            false = sessions WITHOUT files (file_count = 0)
-    // Requires the 'alt' view which includes file_count via v_event_session_w_file_count.
+    // qry_files: true = sessions WITH files (file_count_all > 0)
+    //            false = sessions WITHOUT files (file_count_all IS NULL)
+    // Uses file_count_all which covers files linked to the session AND its
+    // presentations/presenters — so a session only shows as "without files"
+    // if no one under it has uploaded anything.
+    // Requires the 'alt' view (v_event_session_w_file_count) for file_count_all.
+    // NULL vs 0: LEFT JOIN returns NULL for sessions with no matching files — not 0.
     if (qry_files === true) {
         view = 'alt';
-        search_query.and.push({ field: 'file_count', op: 'gt', value: 0 });
+        search_query.and.push({ field: 'file_count_all', op: 'gt', value: 0 });
     } else if (qry_files === false) {
         view = 'alt';
-        search_query.and.push({ field: 'file_count', op: 'eq', value: 0 });
+        search_query.and.push({ field: 'file_count_all', op: 'is_null' });
     }
 
     const result_li = await api.search_ae_obj({