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THE 2025 SEASON WINNERS ARE HERE!
BEST FEATURE FILM
Sweetwater
Martin Guigui
(starring Everett Osborne, Kevin Pollak, Carry Elwes, Jeremy Piven, Herbert 'Flight Time' Lang)
In the fall of 1950, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton makes history becoming the first Black basketball player to sign an NBA contract, and with his unique style of play forever changing the game of basketball.
In the fall of 1950, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton makes history becoming the first Black basketball player to sign an NBA contract, and with his unique style of play forever changing the game of basketball.
BEST ACTION FILM
Gunner
Dimitri Logothetis
(starring Morgan Freeman and Luke Hemsworth)
A war veteran must use his elite combat skills to rescue his two sons after a family camping trip goes wrong and they are kidnapped by a ruthless drug gang.
A war veteran must use his elite combat skills to rescue his two sons after a family camping trip goes wrong and they are kidnapped by a ruthless drug gang.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
and
PANAVISION AWARD WINNER
Bad Omen
Connor Thomas
In 1800s Tennessee, a strict puritan farming village is haunted by disappearances every full moon. When a New York schoolteacher becomes the town’s prime suspect, her visit to a troubled student’s home uncovers a horrifying supernatural truth – one that turns accusation into terror and threatens to consume the entire town.
BEST SCREENPLAY FEATURE (40-130 PAGES) AND ADAM NOVAK PRIZE WINNER
Thanksgiving
Carol McCann
As the season of thanks approaches, Grace Harris, the sole paid employee of the Darryl F. Zanuck Museum and Historical Society of Wahoo, Nebraska comes face to face with her husband’s infidelity and her daughter’s shrinking small town aspirations. Deciding her only remedy is to return a recently purchased K-Mart nightgown to Turkey, Grace travels half way around the world to find its place of origin, and in this remarkable journey, discovers her own sense of place and worth.
BEST SHORT DRAMA
Diez Segundos
Gloria Laino
After years of guilt following the loss of his best friend, guilt worsened by blame from some of the townspeople, Fredi finds his peace through a mystical sign, and by finally accepting love and forgiveness from the one who mattered most.
BEST SHORT COMEDY
Better Fate Than Never
Isabella Blake -Thomas
When a 50 something LA Magazine writer is forced to pivot or quit, fate rewrites her story with an unexpected twist.
BEST SHORT SHORT DRAMA
and
BEST ACTOR
Hortencia & Clemente
Emanuel Loarca
"Til death do us part" & "Blood also means family"
BEST SHORT SHORT COMEDY
The Big Encounter
Nicole Azpeitia
In this mockumentary, a big foot believer goes on a journey to find the truth about Bigfoot and encounters a friendship that soon leads to a mysterious disappearance.
BEST COMEDY FILM
An American Abroad
Marcia Kimpton
An American Abroad is a romantic comedy that travels to 6 countries around the world. Pack your bags and take the journey with wacky, funny, crazy travel reporter Marcia as she navigates her new relationship with conservative, kind, smart Arnold, who isn’t so sure this relationship will work.
BEST FOREIGN FILM
Let Me Be
Dorit S Christensen
A professor’s life unravels after a student’s tragic accident, until his daughter helps him confront the pain he has long buried and rekindle his spark in life.
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Betye Saar: Ready to be a Warrior
Angela Robinson Witherspoon
(featuring Betye Saar, John Legend, CCH Pounder, Alison Saar, Lezley Saar, Tracye Saar-
Cavanaugh, Tony Ramos, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Terrell Tilford, Dr. Joy Simmons)
Filmed over the course of 8 years, this award-winning documentary is a “love letter” to famed L.A artist Betye Saar as she navigates life as a Black Woman artist in America and around the world.
Cavanaugh, Tony Ramos, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Terrell Tilford, Dr. Joy Simmons)
Filmed over the course of 8 years, this award-winning documentary is a “love letter” to famed L.A artist Betye Saar as she navigates life as a Black Woman artist in America and around the world.
INTERNATIONAL IMPACT AWARD
Third Degree Burnout
Nivi Jaswal, Darren Suffolk
Discover the surprising link between your stress and the planet’s crisis. Third Degree Burnout uses groundbreaking research, expert insights, and humor to reveal how systemic change can turn things around.
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