Best Feature Narrative
"SATU - Year of the Rabbit" Director Joshua Trigg. United Kingdom - Winner
"Violent Butterflies" Director Adolfo Davila. Mexico - Highly Commended
"Gunner" Director Dimitri Logothetis. United States - Nominated
"Beyond The Wetlands - Directors Cut" Director Arsalan Majid. Pakistan - Nominated
"Romancing Sydney" Director Anmol Mishra. Australia - Nominated
"All The Way To The Endless" Director Liang Shi. China - Nominated
"Midnight in the Orange Grove" Director Andrew Troy. United States - Nominated
Documentaries offer vital insights into real-world events, cultures, and issues, nurturing audiences' understanding, empathy, and critical thinking.
Best Short Narrative
"Not Yet" Director Holly Fraser. Australia - Winner
"The Last Rehearsal" Director Carling Ernstzen. United Kingdom - Highly Commended
"The Marchionesses" Director Adrien Selbert. France - Nominated
"I'm Glad You're Dead Now" Director Tawfeek Barhom. France, Greece, Palestine - Nominated
"Ball" Director Fubao Fan. China - Nominated
"Strange Attractor" Director Hadley Perkins. Australia - Nominated
"Crying Backwards" Director Edward Rice. New Zealand - Nominated
"The Marchionesses" Director Adrien Selbert. France - Nominated
"Crianza" Directors Julia Maixer, Emily Gularte. United States - Nominated
"Dream Car Wash" Director Edoardo Brighenti. United Kingdom - Nominated
"Bartogay Lake" Director Katya Mokolo. France - Nominated
"Ayer Otra Vez" Director Jorge Del Toro. United States - Nominated
"Wilted" Director Senayt Mebrahtu. Australia - Nominated
"Defne" Director Hamdi Furkan Yıldırım. Turkey - Nominated
"Flame" Director Katrina Channells. Australia - Nominated
"Signs of Life" Director Veronica Wain. Australia - Nominated
Short film narratives wield the potency to captivate, resonate, and provoke thought, offering succinct yet impactful storytelling experiences.
Best Feature Documentary
"Maurice and I" Directors Rick Harvie, Jane Ma, New Zealand - Winner
"Nansie" Director Anna Trichet-Laurier. Australia - Highly Commended
"Under The Open Sky" Director Sonum Sumaria. United Kingdom - Nominated
"Julia LIVES" (English translation of original title: "Julia VIVE") Director Álvaro Calderón. Puerto Rico - Nominated
"Cosmographies" Director Juan Francisco Salazar. Chile - Nominated
"A Human Ride" Director Kristian Gründling. Germany - Nominated
"The Lama's Son" Director kesang tseten. Nepal - Nominated
"Twin Fences" Director Yana Osman. Russian Federation - Nominated
"Go Through the Dark" Director Yunhong Pu. China - Nominated
Feature documentaries illuminate reality with depth and intent, bearing witness to lived experience while challenging audiences to observe, question, and reflect on the world around them.
"Maurice and I" Directors Rick Harvie, Jane Ma, New Zealand - Winner
"Nansie" Director Anna Trichet-Laurier. Australia - Highly Commended
"Under The Open Sky" Director Sonum Sumaria. United Kingdom - Nominated
"Julia LIVES" (English translation of original title: "Julia VIVE") Director Álvaro Calderón. Puerto Rico - Nominated
"Cosmographies" Director Juan Francisco Salazar. Chile - Nominated
"A Human Ride" Director Kristian Gründling. Germany - Nominated
"The Lama's Son" Director kesang tseten. Nepal - Nominated
"Twin Fences" Director Yana Osman. Russian Federation - Nominated
"Go Through the Dark" Director Yunhong Pu. China - Nominated
Feature documentaries illuminate reality with depth and intent, bearing witness to lived experience while challenging audiences to observe, question, and reflect on the world around them.
Best Short Documentary
"Lloyd Wong, Unfinished" Director Lesley Loksi Chan. Canada - Winner
"Who Loves the Sun" Director Arshia Shakiba. Canada - Highly Commended & Winner of Best Cinematography
"On Healing Land, Birds Perch (ĐẤT LÀNH CHIM ĐẬU)" Director Naja Pham Lockwood.
United State - Nominated
"StreetVet" Director Stephanie Keelan. United Kingdom - Nominated
"The Oldest Heart" Director Jessica Sherlock. Australia - Nominated
"Little Potato" Director Chen Chen. New Zealand - Nominated
"A Stranger in the World" Director Sturla Pilskog. Norway - Nominated
"Nothing is Impossible: The Primanavia Story" Director Caleb Young. Fiji - Nominated
"Oska" Director Salty Davenport. Australia - Nominated
"A Return Home" Director Jon Cox. United States, United State - Nominated
"Tawazon" Director Sufian Ararah. Algeria, Germany - Nominated
Documentaries offer vital insights into real-world events, cultures, and issues, nurturing audiences' understanding, empathy, and critical thinking.
Best Indigenous-Focused Film
"I Am Gitxsan" Director Hossein Martin Fazeli. Canada - Winner
"Kōkā" Director Kath Akuhata-Brown. New Zealand - Highly Commended & Best Actor Winner
"Dig Deeper" Director Mark Street. Australia - Nominated
"Medicine Ball" Director Leya Hale. United States - Nominated
"Rangerlu tuku pirra ngalypa warrarn (Rangers look after the desert 'healthy Country')"
Director Salty Davenport. Australia - Nominated
Indigenous films from around the world possess the transformative power to amplify diverse voices, preserve cultural heritage, and challenge dominant narratives, fostering greater understanding and respect for indigenous communities globally.
"I Am Gitxsan" Director Hossein Martin Fazeli. Canada - Winner
"Kōkā" Director Kath Akuhata-Brown. New Zealand - Highly Commended & Best Actor Winner
"Dig Deeper" Director Mark Street. Australia - Nominated
"Medicine Ball" Director Leya Hale. United States - Nominated
"Rangerlu tuku pirra ngalypa warrarn (Rangers look after the desert 'healthy Country')"
Director Salty Davenport. Australia - Nominated
Indigenous films from around the world possess the transformative power to amplify diverse voices, preserve cultural heritage, and challenge dominant narratives, fostering greater understanding and respect for indigenous communities globally.
Best Ethnographic Film
"Mantènnere - Holding the Sacred Sound" Director Diego Pani. Italy - Winner & Winner Best Sound Design
"Days of Pilgrimage" Director Taiga Kobayashi. Japan - Highly Commended
"11 Underground" Director Chico Pereira. Finland, France, Spain - Nominated
Salu Dao Tangngana Langi’ (“A River in the Middle of the Sky”)
Directors Wahyu Al Mardhani & Chris C. F., Australia–Indonesia - Nominated
Ethnographic filmmaking holds the power to illuminate diverse cultures, foster cross-cultural understanding, and challenge preconceptions, enriching our appreciation of the complexities of human society.
"Mantènnere - Holding the Sacred Sound" Director Diego Pani. Italy - Winner & Winner Best Sound Design
"Days of Pilgrimage" Director Taiga Kobayashi. Japan - Highly Commended
"11 Underground" Director Chico Pereira. Finland, France, Spain - Nominated
Salu Dao Tangngana Langi’ (“A River in the Middle of the Sky”)
Directors Wahyu Al Mardhani & Chris C. F., Australia–Indonesia - Nominated
Ethnographic filmmaking holds the power to illuminate diverse cultures, foster cross-cultural understanding, and challenge preconceptions, enriching our appreciation of the complexities of human society.
Best Human Rights Film
"Forgetting the Many: The Royal Pardon of Alan Turing" Director Rosemarie Reed. United States - Winner & Winner Best Editing
"A Un Passo Da Qui" Directors Sandro Bozzolo, Silvy Boccaletti. Italy - Highly Commended
"Vibrations From Gaza" Director Rehab Nazzal. Canada, Palestine - Nominated
"Marimari" Director Paul Wolffram. New Zealand - Nominated
“The Choice” Crossroads of Family after Fukushima on the Edge of Meltdown" Director Wataru Abiko. Japan - Nominated
"Redacted Dreams" Director Fariba Farjam. Canada - Nominated
Human rights films harness the power of visual storytelling to shed light on injustices, inspire activism, and catalyze societal change, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities worldwide. Their importance lies in their ability to provoke empathy, challenge complacency, and galvanise viewers to advocate for protecting and promoting fundamental human rights.
"Forgetting the Many: The Royal Pardon of Alan Turing" Director Rosemarie Reed. United States - Winner & Winner Best Editing
"A Un Passo Da Qui" Directors Sandro Bozzolo, Silvy Boccaletti. Italy - Highly Commended
"Vibrations From Gaza" Director Rehab Nazzal. Canada, Palestine - Nominated
"Marimari" Director Paul Wolffram. New Zealand - Nominated
“The Choice” Crossroads of Family after Fukushima on the Edge of Meltdown" Director Wataru Abiko. Japan - Nominated
"Redacted Dreams" Director Fariba Farjam. Canada - Nominated
Human rights films harness the power of visual storytelling to shed light on injustices, inspire activism, and catalyze societal change, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities worldwide. Their importance lies in their ability to provoke empathy, challenge complacency, and galvanise viewers to advocate for protecting and promoting fundamental human rights.
Best Environmental Film / Conservation
"The Little Things That Run the World" Director Doug Hawes-Davis. United States - Winner
"Mighty Indeed" Director Vanessa Wells. New Zealand - Highly Commended
"Bengal Delta: A Journey to the Land of Misfortune" Directors Laurent Weyl, Robert Iseni. France - Nominated
"Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" Director Babyruth Villarama. Philippines - Nominated
"Blue Burning" Director Janet Mary Solomon. South Africa - Nominated
"Reefs of Resilience: The Shellfish Reef Restoration Story" Director Jarrod Boord. Australia - Nominated
"Mexico Day Zero" Director Pablo Siciliano. Argentina, Mexico, United States - Nominated
Environmental / Conservation Films category recognises outstanding cinematic works that highlight the vital relationship between humanity and the natural world. These films serve as powerful storytelling tools, raising awareness, challenging perspectives, and inspiring action on biodiversity, sustainability, and conservation efforts.
"The Little Things That Run the World" Director Doug Hawes-Davis. United States - Winner
"Mighty Indeed" Director Vanessa Wells. New Zealand - Highly Commended
"Bengal Delta: A Journey to the Land of Misfortune" Directors Laurent Weyl, Robert Iseni. France - Nominated
"Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" Director Babyruth Villarama. Philippines - Nominated
"Blue Burning" Director Janet Mary Solomon. South Africa - Nominated
"Reefs of Resilience: The Shellfish Reef Restoration Story" Director Jarrod Boord. Australia - Nominated
"Mexico Day Zero" Director Pablo Siciliano. Argentina, Mexico, United States - Nominated
Environmental / Conservation Films category recognises outstanding cinematic works that highlight the vital relationship between humanity and the natural world. These films serve as powerful storytelling tools, raising awareness, challenging perspectives, and inspiring action on biodiversity, sustainability, and conservation efforts.
Best Animation
"Diplodocus (Director's Cut)" Director Wojtek Wawszczyk. Poland - Winner
"Dieter" Director Rolf Broennimann. Switzerland - Highly Commended
"thóo-kong-á" Cliff Liu. Taiwan - Nominated
"Following The Line" Director Jia-Yee Ong. Taiwan - Nominated
"Playing God" Director Matteo Burani. Italy - Out of Competition - Invited Special Presentation
Animation harnesses creativity to transcend reality, convey complex narratives, and offer unique storytelling experiences through visual innovation.
"Diplodocus (Director's Cut)" Director Wojtek Wawszczyk. Poland - Winner
"Dieter" Director Rolf Broennimann. Switzerland - Highly Commended
"thóo-kong-á" Cliff Liu. Taiwan - Nominated
"Following The Line" Director Jia-Yee Ong. Taiwan - Nominated
"Playing God" Director Matteo Burani. Italy - Out of Competition - Invited Special Presentation
Animation harnesses creativity to transcend reality, convey complex narratives, and offer unique storytelling experiences through visual innovation.
Best Experimental Film
"First Encounter" Director Marielle Madly Gonier. Australia - Winner
"Varsovie" Director Brachet Renée. France - Highly Commended
"I am a Microscope" Director Karl Nussbaum. United States - Nominated
"The Stream XIV" Director Hiroya Sakurai. Japan - Nominated
Cannes Carpet Catharsis. Director Ana Trkulja. Germany, Serbia - Nominated
Experimental filmmaking is crucial for expanding the possibilities of cinematic expression beyond traditional storytelling. It provides a platform for innovative techniques and unconventional narratives that challenge audience perceptions. The significance of experimental filmmaking lies in its ability to inspire creativity, provoke thought, and foster deeper appreciation for the art of filmmaking beyond mainstream conventions.
Best Comedy
"Out Of Order" Director Guy Jacobson. United States - Winner
"Stranded" Directors Reilly Archer-Whelan, Michael Whyntie. Australia - Highly Commended
"The Way Things Used 2 B" Directors Ciara Naughton, Kurstin Moser. United States - Nominated
"Conception Game" Director Natalie Arle-Toyne. United Kingdom - Nominated
"All the Kings Horses" Director Kiel Robinson. United Kingdom - Nominated
Comedy short films offer a valuable platform for delivering laughter while cleverly exploring societal themes, showcasing the transformative impact of humour in fostering connection and uplifting spirits.
"Out Of Order" Director Guy Jacobson. United States - Winner
"Stranded" Directors Reilly Archer-Whelan, Michael Whyntie. Australia - Highly Commended
"The Way Things Used 2 B" Directors Ciara Naughton, Kurstin Moser. United States - Nominated
"Conception Game" Director Natalie Arle-Toyne. United Kingdom - Nominated
"All the Kings Horses" Director Kiel Robinson. United Kingdom - Nominated
Comedy short films offer a valuable platform for delivering laughter while cleverly exploring societal themes, showcasing the transformative impact of humour in fostering connection and uplifting spirits.
Best Music Clip
"Marionette (Ava Della Pietra - official music video)" Director Nathan Levine-Heaney - Winner
"Marionette (Ava Della Pietra - official music video)" Director Nathan Levine-Heaney - Winner
Best Drone Film
"Cream City- An Ode to Milwaukee" Director Dusan Harminc. United States - Winner
"Mars on Earth" Director Damian Domin. Germany - Nominated
Drone films utilise aerial perspectives to captivate audiences with breathtaking visuals, offering immersive experiences that reveal the world from unique and awe-inspiring angles.
"Cream City- An Ode to Milwaukee" Director Dusan Harminc. United States - Winner
"Mars on Earth" Director Damian Domin. Germany - Nominated
Drone films utilise aerial perspectives to captivate audiences with breathtaking visuals, offering immersive experiences that reveal the world from unique and awe-inspiring angles.
Best Web Series / New Media
"Constantinople (ep. 1)" Director Sergey Chekalov. Russian Federation - Winner
"The Surgeon (Ep 1 / Еscape)" Director Ilya Ermolov. Russian Federation - Highly Commended
"Displaced" Director Molly Daniels. Australia - Nominated
Web series and new media films harness the accessibility and interactivity of online platforms to engage audiences with diverse and innovative storytelling, democratising content creation and fostering new avenues for creative expression.
"Constantinople (ep. 1)" Director Sergey Chekalov. Russian Federation - Winner
"The Surgeon (Ep 1 / Еscape)" Director Ilya Ermolov. Russian Federation - Highly Commended
"Displaced" Director Molly Daniels. Australia - Nominated
Web series and new media films harness the accessibility and interactivity of online platforms to engage audiences with diverse and innovative storytelling, democratising content creation and fostering new avenues for creative expression.
Best Virtual Reality
"Touching the Sky VR" Director Jonathan Griffith. France, United Kingdom - Winner
"Immotion's: Dolphins of the Reef" Directors Ken Musen, Howard Vu. Egypt, United States, United States - Highly Commended
"The Recluse Dongpo" Directors Zhong Tie, Ye Bian - Nominated
The power of virtual reality filmmaking lies in its ability to immerse viewers in fully interactive and immersive narratives, offering an unparalleled sense of presence and emotional engagement.
"Touching the Sky VR" Director Jonathan Griffith. France, United Kingdom - Winner
"Immotion's: Dolphins of the Reef" Directors Ken Musen, Howard Vu. Egypt, United States, United States - Highly Commended
"The Recluse Dongpo" Directors Zhong Tie, Ye Bian - Nominated
The power of virtual reality filmmaking lies in its ability to immerse viewers in fully interactive and immersive narratives, offering an unparalleled sense of presence and emotional engagement.
Best AI Film
"The Cinema That Never Was" Director Mark Wachholz. Germany - Winner
"Color of My Garden" Director Roy Oh. Korea - Highly Commended
"Sky Walking" Director Nikolaos Stampoulopoulos. Greece - Nominated
"Shepherd" Director Alborz Poursayad. Iran - Nominated
"Time Squares" Director Tim Hamilton. Australia - Nominated
"Roped" Director Cokau. France - Nominated
"Exercisebook girl" Director Seungtae Kwon. Korea - Nominated
"No" Director Ahmed Alameldeen. Italy - Nominated
Independent AI films wield the ability to delve into unorthodox narratives and provoke contemplation on ethical quandaries, transcending mainstream norms. Through their distinct storytelling, they illuminate the intricate interplay between humanity and technology, prompting critical discourse on AI's role in society's evolution.
"The Cinema That Never Was" Director Mark Wachholz. Germany - Winner
"Color of My Garden" Director Roy Oh. Korea - Highly Commended
"Sky Walking" Director Nikolaos Stampoulopoulos. Greece - Nominated
"Shepherd" Director Alborz Poursayad. Iran - Nominated
"Time Squares" Director Tim Hamilton. Australia - Nominated
"Roped" Director Cokau. France - Nominated
"Exercisebook girl" Director Seungtae Kwon. Korea - Nominated
"No" Director Ahmed Alameldeen. Italy - Nominated
Independent AI films wield the ability to delve into unorthodox narratives and provoke contemplation on ethical quandaries, transcending mainstream norms. Through their distinct storytelling, they illuminate the intricate interplay between humanity and technology, prompting critical discourse on AI's role in society's evolution.
Best Actor
"Kōkā" Director Kath Akuhata-Brown in Best Indigenous Film. New Zealand
Best Actor Hinetu Dell. United Kingdom - Winner
"Kōkā" Director Kath Akuhata-Brown in Best Indigenous Film. New Zealand
Best Actor Hinetu Dell. United Kingdom - Winner
Acting possesses the ability to enthrall audiences, evoke genuine emotions, and provide profound insights into the human experience.
Best Cinematography
"Who Loves the Sun" Director & Cinematography Arshia Shakiba
in Best Short Documentary Film. Canada - Highly Commended
Cinematography has the ability to visually transport viewers into different worlds, evoke emotions, and enhance storytelling, shaping the overall impact and resonance of a film.
"Who Loves the Sun" Director & Cinematography Arshia Shakiba
in Best Short Documentary Film. Canada - Highly Commended
Cinematography has the ability to visually transport viewers into different worlds, evoke emotions, and enhance storytelling, shaping the overall impact and resonance of a film.
Best Sound Design
"Mantènnere - Holding the Sacred Sound" Director Diego Pani. Audio Diego Pani, Stefano Zedda, Marco Lutzu. Audio Mix Roberto Macis. Italy - Winner
The film editor's expertise is invaluable, as it directly influences the final outcome of a film by shaping its narrative, pacing, and emotional resonance.
"Mantènnere - Holding the Sacred Sound" Director Diego Pani. Audio Diego Pani, Stefano Zedda, Marco Lutzu. Audio Mix Roberto Macis. Italy - Winner
The film editor's expertise is invaluable, as it directly influences the final outcome of a film by shaping its narrative, pacing, and emotional resonance.
Best Editing
"Forgetting the Many: The Royal Pardon of Alan Turing" Director Rosemarie Reed. Editor Dina Potocki. United States - Winner
"Forgetting the Many: The Royal Pardon of Alan Turing" Director Rosemarie Reed. Editor Dina Potocki. United States - Winner
Sound design is essential in filmmaking as it enhances the atmosphere, evokes emotions, and immerses viewers in the cinematic experience, contributing significantly to the overall impact of a film.
Best Feature Screenplay
"The Tree With No Heart" Writer Aaron Huckleberry - Winner
"Wyoming" Writer Adam Goudchaux - Highly Commended
"The Tree With No Heart" Writer Aaron Huckleberry - Winner
"Wyoming" Writer Adam Goudchaux - Highly Commended
Best Short Screenplay
"When the Veils Dance" Writer Tayebe Babaei - Winner
"Ghost in the Glass" Writer Chuck Griffith - Highly Commended
Creative writing in screenwriting is crucial as it is the foundation for crafting compelling characters, intricate plots, and immersive worlds, elevating the cinematic experience. It enables storytellers to explore complex themes, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact on audiences long after the credits roll.
"When the Veils Dance" Writer Tayebe Babaei - Winner
"Ghost in the Glass" Writer Chuck Griffith - Highly Commended
Creative writing in screenwriting is crucial as it is the foundation for crafting compelling characters, intricate plots, and immersive worlds, elevating the cinematic experience. It enables storytellers to explore complex themes, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact on audiences long after the credits roll.
Best Photographic Essay
"When the Sky Fell on Gaza"
Photographer AbdelrHman Alkahlout - Winner
Creative writing in photographic essays is essential as it shapes how images speak beyond the frame, guiding viewers through layered narratives of place, memory, and human experience. It allows photographers to explore complex realities, evoke emotional resonance, and transform individual moments into a cohesive visual story that lingers long after the image is seen.
"When the Sky Fell on Gaza"
Photographer AbdelrHman Alkahlout - Winner
Creative writing in photographic essays is essential as it shapes how images speak beyond the frame, guiding viewers through layered narratives of place, memory, and human experience. It allows photographers to explore complex realities, evoke emotional resonance, and transform individual moments into a cohesive visual story that lingers long after the image is seen.
FINALIST FILMS 2025
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY FINALISTHunting Secrets of the Tropical Whale
Director Andrew Kelly
Australia
Dignified: The Faisal Cup Story
Directors Hazel Desmond, Jonathan Huet
Malaysia
Tycho! Beyond the Baton
Director Stephan J Wellink
Australia
The Quiet Diplomat
Director Charles Lyons
United States
Melnikov
Director Marina Maria Melnik
Russian Federation
The 3100
Director Mark Fisher
United States
Love Letter to the Unseen
Director Josh “Bones” Murphy
United States
The Grand Incredible Story
Director Cayce Mell
United States
Semitjov – Dreams for a Better World
Director Micke Engström
Sweden
In the Circle of Life
Directors Zaya Benazzo, Maurizio Benazzo
United States
Wyld
Director Ralph Etter
Switzerland
Rice & Sugar
Director Phillip O’Leary
United States
Wildboy – Ten Years of Adventure Therapy
Director Toby Schmutzler
New Zealand
Following in the Footsteps of My Ancestors: An Ute Köhler Documentary
Directors Ute Koehler, Katherin Wermke
Germany
Harar – The Forgotten Islamic City
Directors Dhia Ben Naser, Ouissem Satouri
France
Tell Me What Foot You’re Dancing On
Director Philippe Ménard
France
Internacional. A Different Team
Director Jaime Cobo Levi
Spain
Women of Pinot
Director Bruce M Jaqua
United States
Vanishing: A Love Story
Director Sandra Luckow
United States
Unfinished Worlds – Religion and Culture in Bali and Tana Toraja
Director Lawrence C Johnson
United States
Chasing the Light
Director Maurice O’Brien
Ireland
Reearth… Rights of Nature
Director Dharma Pundarika
Australia
King of the Mountains
Director Romain Mongin
Australia
The Head
Director Giedre Geneviciute
Lithuania
SHORT DOCUMENTARY FINALIST
Mothers in Shadow
Director Viviana Mura
Italy
Prodigal Daughter
Directors Nancy Peng, Steven Xiuyuan Chen
United States
Desert Whispers
Director Laurentiu Zamfirescu
Romania
Drew the Diver
Director Andrew Stone
United States
Where’s My Coffee Cup?
Director Yehuda Sharim
United States
Two Days on the Windward Shores
Director Dan Razvan Coman
United States
52 Harvests: Vignerons of the Hunter Valley
Director Luke McDonagh
Australia
The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing
Director Theo Panagopoulos
United Kingdom
Secret Soul of the Sea
Director Gideon Protassow Adams
Australia
Spirit of the West: Tales from the Old Ghost Ultra
Director Pedro Pimentel
New Zealand
Karate Dreams: Empty Hand, A Sensei’s Story
Director James Mellor
United Kingdom
Memory of a Land
Director Fahmi Ben Ammar
Canada, Tunisia
Zāgbéto – Les Murmures du Masque
Director Sitou Akolly
Togo
Dissection
Director Geoffrey Young
Australia
Portrait of a Seaweed Farmer: Ana Borrero, PhD
Director Jeff Siebert
United States
Ialakha
Director Sammy Theurer
Germany
Esme Boggart
Director Nicholas Jones
United Kingdom
Kevin Burt: A Bluesman in Iowa
Director S. Torriano Berry
United States
Ark Taroko
Director Chen-Tang Lee
Taiwan
An Ordinary Life
Director Stig Wemyss
Australia
The Quiet Art
Directors Johnny Phillips, Ross Wilcox
United States
Futaba
Director Michiyama Rain
Japan
Portrait of an Artist
Director ARASH ARMIN
United States
Motherland
Director Bianca Zylla
Romania
FEATURE NARRATIVE FINALIST
The Tinderbox Against the Magic Keyhole
Director Andjei Petras
Russian Federation
The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church
Director Dean Owen-Sims
Australia
In Silence
Director Alexandre Britto
Brazil
The Second Diary of Paulina P.
Director Neven Hitrec
Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia
All Alone
Director Aziz Alaca
Turkey
Lights Out
Director Enah Johnscott
Cameroon
Car
Director Suraj
India
Cast Aside the Clouds
Director Mary Darling
Canada
My Black Dog
Director Beth Lane
Australia
Angst
Director Fjolnir Baldursson
Iceland
Junks & Dolls
Director Manijeh Hekmat
Iran
Romancing Sydney
Director Anmol Mishra
Australia
Welcome to Vegas
Director Hae Sun Hong
United States
Bunny
Director James Branson
Australia
Falling Into Silence
Director Yuto Shimizu
Japan
Making Megaforce
Director Bob Lindenmayer
United States
Fwq
Director Fritz Lang
Germany
April X
Director Michel K Parandi
United States
The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero
Director Joseph Mathew
United States
Don’t Look In the Dark
Director Samuel Freeman
United States
Rules of Living
Director Greg Dale
Japan
Norma Dorma
Director Lorenz Suter
Switzerland
Appology
Director Marco von Moos
Switzerland
My Friend Miles
Director Pieter Solta
Belgium
SHORT NARRATIVE FINALIST
Love Mirrors
Director Pablo Trehin-Marcot
France
Brown Bread
Director Shaunagh Connaire
Ireland
Maledictum
Director Lucius Trewin
Australia
Decide Decide
Director Owen Warren
Ireland
The Three of Us
Director Claudia Ventura
United States
Wild Cloudberries
Director Carla Pekander
Finland
Boutique
Director Pouya Dastgiran
Iran
Untitled Short
Director Alborz Poursayad
Iran
Half Unseen
Director Salaheddin Noori
Iran
Untitled Short
Director Ali Mansouri
Iran
Untitled Short
Director Payam Shadnia
Iran
Untitled Short
Director Mark W
United Kingdom
Head
Director Keith Ruggiero
United States
Satori
Director Emanuel Amadeus Markskog
Sweden
The Silence Within (“Lautlos”)
Director Christian Peschken
Germany
Monday’s Child
Director Jodi Leib Coden
United States
Live in Live
Director Thet Nay Tun
United Kingdom
Overlayed
Director Joanna Bronson
United States
I Don’t Know
Director Carlos Sanchez Carrillo
Canada
Reach for the Stars
Director Dylan Randall
Australia
This Is a Love Story
Director Raphael Dirani
United States
Turnaround
Director Aisling Byrne
Ireland
The Axe Forgets
Director John Christopher
Ireland
Simple Somewhere Else
Director Amatus-Sami Karim
United States
The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie & Celeste
Director Pernell Marsden
Australia
Different Things
Director Murray Enders
Australia
The Horn
Director Mark Phillip Wills
Australia
Golden Wire
Director Ruslan Haiduk
Ukraine
Bleeding
Director Dany Horiuchi
United Kingdom
Forty
Director Sogol Izadifard
Iran
The Cat
Director Payam Shadnia
Iran
The Housemate
Director Hamed Ghonuei
Iran
Mya: The Beginning
Director Frederick Taouil
United States
In the Garden
Director Maria Ramendik
Russian Federation
Selfie, Please
Director Anu Singh Choudhary
India
The Girl
Director Mandy Kowalski
United States
A.1 The Last Move
Director Pradh Anumutrajkij
Thailand
Morphic
Director Malik Maliki
Iraq, United States
Herbert West: Reanimator
Director Jeff Broadstreet
United States
Night of Diwali
Director Kexin Zhao
Australia
Patience
Director Riley Jack Thompson
Australia
When the Petals Fall
Director Ka Hin Tsoi
Hong Kong
A Child Is Listening
Director Pedro Moraelche
Spain
The Bed Pusher
Directors Christophe Chapuis, Olivier Carrel
Switzerland
Ed and Alfie
Director Shelly J Hong
Canada
Cost of Joy
Director Angie Lin
United States
The Killing Camera
Director Jianbo Wang
Australia
Le Dernier Printemps
Directors Nathan Remillard, Mathieu Morin
Canada
The Better You
Directors Pablo Canete, Alfonso (Fuchi) Canete
Australia
Questions, Consent, Guilt & Blame.
Director Spike Hogan
Australia
HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FINALIST
In Their Own Words
Director Fumie Matsubara
Japan
Saqfa (Hopeless Clap)
Director Omar Saleh
Jordan, Palestine
Dignified: The Faisal Cup Story
Directors Hazel Desmond, Jonathan Huet
Malaysia
Boutique
Director Pouya Dastgiran
Iran
Domestic Animals
Directors Sandy Siquier, Alex Mendez Giner
United States
Free Party
Director Fabianny Deschamps
France
Gentle, Angry Women
Director Barbara Santi
United Kingdom
To the Hands
Director Marty Austin Lamar
United States
Landnahme – Zebrana Zemja
Directors Maja Nagel, Julius Günzel
Germany
A Road Out
Director Karin Shapiro
United States
ANIMATION FILM FINALIST
The Last Advice
Director Carlos Fueyo
United States
Days & Days
Director Olivia Sagona
Australia
The Fangs I’m After
Director Rebecca Chivers
United States
How We Hamsters Die
Directors Phoebe Burdick, Mio Gribskov
United States
Impressionist Flower Kaleidoscapes
Director Elliott Landy
United States
The Fiddler Crab
Director Chun-Shuo Huang
Taiwan
Gift
Director Lenka Zhang
The Return of Gary – The Journey to Turkey Island
Director Richard Guthrie
United Kingdom
Ball Lightning
Director Catriona Trina Baker
United States
The Key
Director Magdalena Yanakieva Kalieva
Bulgaria
INDIGENOUS FILM FINALIST
Medicine Ball
Director Leya Hale
United States
Ino Moxo the Healer’s Dream
Director Rodolfo Abdías Arrascue Navas
Peru
ETHNOGRAPHIC FILM
Alone With Others
Director Natalie Budkin
Russian Federation
Help Me Help You
Director Stéphanie Sassen
Belgium
Phosphene
Director Miguel Filgueiras
Portugal
Cairo Between Two Palaces
Director Nezar AlSayyad
United States
The Sacrifice
Director Robert Lemelson
United States
COMEDY FILM FINALIST
Head
Director Keith Ruggiero
United States
Blue Rooster
Directors Nick Burkitt, Nick Mansur
Australia
The Porcelain Bus
Director Frazier Brockett
Australia
Sunday League
Director Jamie Bourne
United Kingdom
Revenge Body
Director Polly Pierce
Canada
EXPERIMENTAL FILM FINALIST
Boutique
Director Pouya Dastgiran
Iran
The Stream XIII
Director Hiroya Sakurai
Japan
Super Hwy
Submitter Lucinda Luvaas
United States
Whispers From the Core: The Silence We Cannot Speak
Submitter Marcelle Abela
Malta
Secret Soul of the Sea
Director Gideon Protassow Adams
Australia
(Also selected: Best Short Documentary Film)
The Housemate
Director Hamed Ghonuei
Iran
Naguala
Director Claudia Minerva Medina
Canada
Impressionist Flower Kaleidoscapes
Director Elliott Landy
United States
8 Seconds at the Three Sisters
Director André Silva
United States
Pressing
Director Stephanie Barber
United States
Money or Your Life
Director Agnès Roux
Monaco
Physalia
Director Ian Gibbins
Australia
Live for Today
Director Brian Billionaire
United States
WEB SERIES / NEW MEDIA FINALIST
Great Beast Albion Docudrama – Episode 1
Director Alex Howell
United Kingdom
Good Business (Ep. 1)
Director Yulia Bondareva
Russian Federation
Late Night Show
Director Anastasia Aleksandrova
Indonesia
My Alien Friend (Ep. 1)
Director Ivan Petukhov
Russian Federation
Just Matthew
Director Dmytro Malkov
United States
BEST MUSIC VIDEO FINALIST
What Do You Want – Electric State
Director Rob Viney
Australia
That Thing That Makes You Win
Director Jean-Yves “Jeeve” Ducornet
United States
Being A Woman
Director Abbey Devoy
United Kingdom
Underwater Dancing – Blooming Strings (Official Music Video) – Velour
United States
Chaton – From the Future (Official Music Video)
Director Marcus CB Soori
United States
Breakthrough
Submitter The AYAs
Australia
Smoldering-Smoldering
Director Ilya Noyabrev
Ukraine
Urban Cowboy
Director Dustin J. Robison
United States
clerbY
Director Peter Van Fossen
United States
VIRTUAL REALITY FILM FINALIST
Crafting Crimes
Director Chloé Rochereuil
France
Under the Sky Dome
Director Jérémy Griffaud
France
Meridian Transmissions
Director Eric Patrick
United States
Session 180: Season 2
Director Rick Wang
Taiwan
Come Inside
Director Peter Collis
United Kingdom
ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCE FILM FINALIST
Céremony
Director Mark Wachholz
Germany
Hornless
Director Damla Ayzeren
Turkey
Beyond the Screen
Director Gyumin Kim
South Korea
Chelsea Fan Tribute AI Video
Director Soslan Chekhoev
United States
Filmway
Directors Eradzh Nidoev, Alexander Zarshchikov
United States
Aethrimus
Director Jaspreet Singh
India
Silhouette
Director Azamat Zafer
Germany, Serbia, Turkey
Railbound
Director Jonathan Perry
United States
The Legacy of Gilgamesh
Director Sebastian Androne-Nakanishi
Romania
Anima
Director Alfred Matthew Hernandez
United States
Never Apart
Director Lucky Star
Coward Millionaire
Director Hyung-rae Cho
South Korea
Eve Clone Wannsee Conference I
Director Pey-Chwen Lin
Taiwan
A Escritora / The Writer
Director Alfredo Dias Gomes
Brazil
The Last President
Director Bin He
United States
The Secret of the Mountain Hut – AI-Generated Film
Director Pasquale de Sapio
Switzerland
The Last Atlantis
Director Chih Hao Shen
Taiwan
Tunnel
Director Chih Hao Shen
Taiwan
Don’t Anger My Angels
Director Andrei Kovalev
Georgia
FEATURE SCREENPLAY FINALIST
The Owners
Writer Nick Nelsen
Unacceptable
Writer Damien Mulvany
On the Record
Writer Adam Goudchaux
Red Hands, a Mary MacIntosh Novel
Writer Maureen Anne Meehan
In the Garden: Anchors of Faith
Writer Christal Kahles-Jones
Angels Desired
Writer Lukas Scheja
Germany
Gilgamesh
Writer Patsy Callaghan
Shadows of the Mind
Writer Zachary Gossett
Alta California
Writer Lynn H. Elliott
SHORT SCREENPLAY FINALIST
Trial of Terror: Do You Know Who I Am?
Writer Daniel Wayne Ratliff
Nothing Left But Me
Submitter Akia Atkinson
Hot Manga Girl
Writer Beatrice Yilin Jiang
The Tables Turn
Writer Tyme Journey
Don’t Trust Your Mind After Midnight
Writer Rachel Hall
Whoosh!
Writer Peter Salisbury
Mr Green
Writer Yahan Ning
Alleluia – S1 / Ep 2
Submitter Maxwell Highsmith
A Truth
Writer Jaaered Brown
The Green Machine – Part 1
Writer John P Martinez
Tiggles, Mummy & Me: Our Journey to Safety
Writer Jill Thrussell
Silent Sundays
Writer David Michael Glahn
The Inheritance of Purpose
Writer Alex Mehta
The Forest
Writer Zach Gossett
Two Weary Souls
Submitter Aline Nivin
Too Soon
Writer Avril David
ORION INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2026
