Home #Hwoodtimes 2025 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners Announced

2025 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners Announced

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2025 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners Announced
Top L–R: Zodiac Killer Project. Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo), Mr. Nobody Against Putin, Coexistence, My Ass!, 2000 Meters to Andriivka, Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) Second Row L-R: DJ Ahmet, Two Women, The Things You Kill, Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), Plainclothes, Twinless Third Row L-R: Sorry, Baby, Ricky, Atropia, Selena y Los Dinos, Life After, André is an Idiot Bottom L–R: The Perfect Neighbor, Seeds, East of Wall, Prime Minister

Atropia (U.S. Dramatic Competition), Seeds (U.S. Documentary Competition), Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) (World Cinema Dramatic Competition), and Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) (World Cinema Documentary Competition) Awarded Grand Jury Prizes; NEXT Innovator Award Presented by Adobe Goes to Zodiac Killer Project

Twinless (U.S. Dramatic Competition) and André is an Idiot (U.S. Documentary Competition) Receive Audience Awards Presented by Acura

Audience Awards Presented by United Airlines Go to DJ Ahmet (World Cinema Dramatic Competition) and Prime Minister (World Cinema Documentary Competition); East of Wall wins NEXT Audience Award Presented by Adobe

PARK CITY, UTAH, January 31, 2025 — The 2025 Sundance Film Festival awards were presented at a ceremony for the jury and audience award–winning films at The Ray Theatre in Park City, where independent storytelling was celebrated ahead of the Festival’s conclusion. The 2025 Festival, taking place now through February 2, has featured premieres, screenings, talks, events, and more in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. All feature award-winning films are available online nationwide now through February 2. Select award-winning films will screen in person for ticketholders and passholders. Tickets can be purchased at festival.sundance.org/tickets

Grand Jury Prizes went to Atropia (U.S. Dramatic Competition), Seeds (U.S. Documentary Competition), Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) (World Cinema Dramatic Competition), and Cutting Through Rocks (World Cinema Documentary Competition). The NEXT Innovator Award presented by Adobe was given to Zodiac Killer Project.

Audience awards for films in competition were presented by Acura to Twinless (U.S. Dramatic Competition) and  André is an Idiot (U.S. Documentary Competition) and presented by United Airlines to DJ Ahmet (World Cinema Dramatic Competition) and Prime Minister (World Cinema Documentary Competition). East of Wall won the audience award for NEXT presented by Adobe. Awards for the Short Film Program Presented by Vimeo were announced at a ceremony on January 28 at The Park in Park City, Utah.

This year, the Festival jury included: Reinaldo Marcus Green, Arian Moayed, and Celine Song for the U.S. Dramatic Competition; Steven BognarVinnie Malhotra, and Marcia Smith for the U.S. Documentary Competition; Ava Cahen, Wanuri Kahiu, and Daniel Kaluuya for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition; Daniela AlatorreLaura Kim, and Kevin Macdonald for the World Cinema Documentary Competition; Kaniehtiio HornMaggie Mackay, and Kibwe Tavares for the Short Film Program Competition; and Elijah Wood for the NEXT section.

“We congratulate all of our filmmakers and award winners on a successful 2025 Sundance Film Festival and thank them for the stories they shared with our audiences,” said Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO, Sundance Institute. “These works spoke to our commitment to fostering empathy, understanding, and a more vibrant, inclusive society through storytelling, and it was an honor to celebrate them together as a community.”

“Arriving at our Awards Ceremony after seven days of connection and discovery is especially rewarding this year. We are thrilled to honor these filmmakers for their inventiveness, generosity, and for the valuable conversations, moments of levity, and deep insights their work has offered,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming. “We share our gratitude with the State of Utah, audiences, staff, volunteers, and everyone who makes the Sundance Film Festival possible.”

“We have such admiration and respect for all of the films in this year’s program, and we want to congratulate everyone who had a hand in creating the works being honored at our Awards Ceremony today,” added Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming. “Our programming team is so thrilled to have introduced these moving and impactful works to our audiences this Festival, and we look forward to following the journeys of each of these talented artists and their projects.”

The awards ceremony honored the winning projects two days before the conclusion of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where 94 feature-length and episodic works and 57 short films — curated from a total 15,775 submissions — have screened to audiences in Park City, Salt Lake City, and online.

Feature film award winners in previous years include: A Real PainDìdi (弟弟)Porcelain WarSujoDaughtersKneecapA Thousand and One20 Days in MariupolThe Eternal Memory, NannyCODASummer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)FleeMinariBoys StateClemencyOne Child NationHoneylandThe SouvenirThe Miseducation of Cameron PostWhiplashFruitvale StationBeasts of the Southern Wild, Twenty Feet from StardomSearching for SugarmanThe SquareMe and Earl and the Dying GirlCartel LandThe Wolf PackThe Diary of a Teenage GirlDopeDear White PeopleThe Cove, and Man on Wire.

The Festival Favorite Award was presented to Come See Me in the Good Light 

The top five runners-up for the 2025 Festival Favorite are:

Deaf President Now! 

The Alabama Solution 

The Ballad of Wallis Island 

Andre is an Idiot

Prime Minister

GRAND JURY PRIZES

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to Atropia

Jury citation: For its singular directing, writing, and vision, this timely and timeless first feature was both hilarious and damning in its portrayal of the theater of war. Its biting criticism of American imperialism and boundary-pushing storytelling led all three of the jurors to unanimously award the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic to Atropia by Hailey Gates.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Seeds

Jury citation: It is our great honor to award the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary to a truly special film that evokes and illustrates all that we come to Sundance to discover — a new voice with something powerful, rich, and poignant to say. From its directing, cinematography, and dreamlike immersion, this film takes us deep inside an essentially overlooked pocket of our country, whose residents struggle to hold onto their heritage as their way of life has come under threat. The fact that this is the filmmaker’s feature debut speaks to the arrival of an exciting new talent in documentary. The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary goes to Seeds.

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears)

Jury citation: This is the great modern love story. To say it’s an honor to award this tender film is an understatement. We cried, we laughed, and we wished to be loved in the same way. It is exactly what the world needs right now. This authentic point of view opens the door to an intimate language we all understand. We feel the humming heartbeat of the main character’s inner life, and when it bursts, it wraps us with its sweetness. We award the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic to Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears).

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) 

Jury citation: This beautiful and nuanced portrait shows us a fearless eccentric who confronts male-dominated society when she runs for office in a remote Iranian village. Her determination, warmth, and humor and the way her story is told left us in awe. We are proud to present the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary to Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار).

The NEXT Innovator Award Presented by Adobe was awarded to Zodiac Killer Project 

Jury citation: I really loved each of these totally original films, but one truly stood out in its innovation, its structure, its wild pivot from its original inspiration, the brilliant and hilarious 16mm panning and zooming location shots, and its funny and insightful commentary on the very kind of film it was originally meant to be. There is no film like it, and with that, I am thrilled to present the NEXT Innovator Award to Zodiac Killer Project.

AUDIENCE AWARDS

The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic, Presented by Acura was awarded to Twinless

The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary, Presented by Acura was awarded to André is an Idiot 

The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic, Presented by United Airlines was awarded to DJ Ahmet 

The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary, Presented by United Airlines was awarded to Prime Minister

The Audience Award: NEXT, Presented by Adobe was awarded to East of Wall 

JURY AWARDS FOR DIRECTING, SCREENWRITING, and EDITING

The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to Geeta Gandbhir for The Perfect Neighbor

Jury citation: The Directing award goes to a filmmaker of remarkably disciplined vision who turns creative constraints into cinematic power, creating a searing indictment of “stand your ground laws.” The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary goes to Geeta Gandbhir for The Perfect Neighbor.

The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Rashad Frett for Ricky

Jury citation: For holding the audience’s hand through each of the intimate and compelling moments of a young man navigating the first days out of the byzantine U.S. prison system, we award the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic to Rashad Frett for Ricky.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented to Mstyslav Chernov for 2000 Meters to Andriivka

Jury citation: For his extraordinarily brave and sensitive film about a single battle in the Russia-Ukraine war, a film with images of shocking and unforgettable beauty and delicate character portraits, the Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary goes to Mstyslav Chernov for 2000 Meters to Andriivka.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented to Alireza Khatami for The Things You Kill 

Jury citation: We could not stop talking about this film. It made us curious and deeply invested in the characters and their rich journey. This effortless, streamlined film does not sacrifice its depth of subject even while dealing with toxic masculinity and the everyday darkness of the soul. This director was masterful in their precision, they were profound yet restrained, and their robust vision pushes us to want more, think more, and do more to be better humans. For this reason we award the Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic to Alireza Khatami for The Things You Kill.

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby

Jury citation: For its stunning honesty, moving sense of humor, and an authentic portrait of a young woman living in the aftermath of her sexual assault, we award the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award to Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby.

The Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to Parker Laramie for André is an Idiot 

Jury citation: The nuanced edit of this film allows the audience to see the beauty and humor of our final years. With its larger-than-life protagonist, André is an Idiot allows you to laugh, breathe, and travel through a long and emotional journey with melody, rhythm, and grace. The Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award: U.S. Documentary goes to Parker Laramie for André is an Idiot.

SPECIAL JURY AWARDS

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting was presented to Dylan O’Brien for Twinless

Jury citation: For portraying two roles in one fearless performance, coupled with an immersive and seamless character study of a set of twins, we award Dylan O’Brien the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting in Twinless.

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast was presented to Plainclothes

Jury citation: For their complex performances that stayed with us until the riveting final frames and for painting the delicate tale of a police officer hiding his sexuality in the ’90s, we award the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast to Plainclothes.

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling was presented to Selena y Los Dinos

Jury citation: This award goes to a film that transported us to a specific time and place, evoking themes of family, heritage, love, and adolescence. The power of the story speaks to the essential nature of the archive — employed in this film to chart the emergence of a once-in-a-generation talent. The winner of the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling goes to Selena y Los Dinos.

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award was presented to Life After

Jury citation: This Special Jury Award goes to a film that asks profound, unsettling questions about life and death, individual autonomy vs public policy, and what defines — and who determines — the quality of an individual life. The filmmaker’s unflinching approach forces us to examine our assumptions about a person’s right to die… and live. The U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award goes to Life After.

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision was presented to Georgi M. Unkovski for DJ Ahmet

Jury citation: World cinema gives us access to a depth of emotion, diversity of characters, and meaningful journeys that are not limited by borders. Our guiding principle was hope and light, and the films in this section have a strong sense of courage and vulnerability. We found all this and more in this film’s progressive characters and distinct tone. For this reason we have chosen to award the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision to Georgi M. Unkovski for DJ Ahmet.

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Writing was presented to Two Women

Jury citation: For its courageous exploration of female desire, its joyful and comedic tone, and its fearless, complex characters with awakened sexuality — this film exudes freshness, rhythmic editing, and impossible wit. We award the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Writing to Chloé Robichaud and Catherine Léger for Two Women.

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award was presented to Mr. Nobody Against Putin 

Jury citation: For the courageous act of documenting the insidious origins of propaganda in Russian schools and for showing us how easy it is to use misinformation to manipulate, the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award goes to Mr. Nobody Against Putin.

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression was presented to Coexistence, My Ass!

Jury citation: For showing us how to have a challenging conversation with humor and humanity and for having the courage to say things others cannot, the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression goes to Coexistence, My Ass!. 

NEXT Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast was presented to Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) 

Jury citation: I’d like to acknowledge a film with characters that really drew me in, who are filled with heart and fire: a hopeless central character who can’t seem to get his shit together, a young teen who embraces an unexpected pregnancy, a sister who can’t deal with her brother’s idiocy, and a mother who fiercely loves her family. These actors brought the reality, comedy, and love of these characters to delightful, vibrant life, so it’s my pleasure to bestow the NEXT Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast to Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo).

The Short Film Grand Jury Prize was awarded to: Theo Panagopoulos for The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing 

Jury citation: For a timely, urgent, and beautiful examination of colonialism and a moving reclaiming of history through the use of archival footage, the Short Film Grand Jury Prize goes to The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing, directed by Theo Panagopoulos.

The Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction was awarded to: Jazmin Garcia for Trokas Duras

Jury citation: For a visionary perspective and a stunning visual narrative approach that creates an unequivocally empowering and intimate portrait, the Short Film Jury Award for U.S. Fiction goes to Trokas Duras, directed by Jazmin Garcia.

The Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction was awarded to: Chheangkea for Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites

Jury citation: For the perfect execution of a truly hilarious and relatable exploration of self- and family acceptance within a fantastical framework, we give the Short Film Jury Award for International Fiction to Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites, directed by Chheangkea.

The Short Film Jury Award: Nonfiction was awarded to: Christopher Radcliff for We Were The Scenery 

Jury citation: For a wholly unique, witty, joyful perspective on art-making, the impact of film, and how they intersect with real lives, the Short Film Jury Award for Nonfiction goes to We Were The Scenery, directed by Christopher Radcliff.

The Short Film Jury Award: Animation was awarded to: Natalia León for Como si la tierra se las hubiera tragado

Jury citation: For an immersive and deeply intimate approach to a tragic epidemic, using the craft of animation in surprising and poignant ways, the Short Film Jury Award for Animation goes to Como si la tierra se las hubiera tragado, directed by Natalia León.

The Short Film Special Jury Award for Animation Directing was awarded to: May Kindred-Boothby for The Eating of an Orange 

Jury citation: For the intricate crafting of a deeply emotional tale told without dialogue and traditional narrative structure, and for a fresh take on female empowerment, the Short Film Special Jury Award for Animation Directing goes to The Eating of an Orange, directed by May Kindred-Boothby.

The Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing was awarded to: Loren Waters for Tiger

Jury citation: For the inspired direction and innovative vision that tells the moving story of a family’s cultural and artistic legacy, the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing goes to Tiger, directed by Loren Waters.

The 2025 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize for an outstanding feature film about science or technology was awarded to SALLY

The Sundance Institute | Amazon MGM Studios Producers Award for Nonfiction went to Danielle Varga for Seeds

The Sundance Institute | Amazon MGM Studios Producers Award for Fiction went to Joe Pirro for The Wedding Banquet 

The Sundance Institute | Adobe Mentorship Award for Nonfiction went to Vivien Hillgrove, and the Sundance Institute | Adobe Mentorship Award for Fiction went to Brian A. Kates.

The Sundance Institute | NHK Award went to Lloyd Lee Choi for Yakult Ajumma