By Valerie Milano
Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/30/25 – The 28th edition of Dances With Films: LA wrapped with a triumphant closing night at Hollywood’s historic TCL Chinese Theatre, capping off eleven days that saw over 250 films, sold-out screenings, and an undeniable celebration of independent filmmaking. Among the standout selections was Kuchar (The Itch) by debut filmmaker Vaidaangi Sharma, a haunting and intimate portrayal of sexual awakening and generational silence in a conservative Indian household.
See our review and interview:
Sharma’s film didn’t need overt conflict to make its emotional impact. As a devoted Daddy’s girl, the protagonist’s remove from her mother is not born from tension, but rather a quiet absence—one that underscores how unspoken traditions, shame, and curiosity often echo louder than confrontation. The film’s raw honesty sparked post-screening discussions that delved into cross-cultural taboos, feminist agency, and the weight of inherited silence.
A Review With Voices From the Filmmakers Behind Kuchar “The Itch” – Hollywood Times
Kuchar was just one of many notable debuts that reflected the festival’s commitment to showcasing new voices. Sophia Lacey’s The Quiet Refuge, a moody dystopian drama, and Miles Jett’s genre-bending Echoes of the Future further exemplified DWF’s dedication to boundary-pushing narratives. Both films earned praise for their ambition and emotional resonance, establishing their directors as names to watch.
On the documentary side, David Anthony Ngo’s Never Get Busted! claimed the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature, a gritty, unflinching dive into the war on drugs through the eyes of a former narc turned whistleblower. The film resonated deeply with audiences and jurors alike, alongside Davide Fiore’s A Little Fellow: The Legacy of A.P. Giannini, which earned the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary for its stirring portrait of the banking visionary.
See our “Never Get Busted” review and interview:
“Never Get Busted: The Cop Who Turned the War on Drugs Inside Out” – Hollywood Times
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature went to Nate Hilgartner’s No Choice, while Andrew Jack Zuckerman’s Good Sport took home the Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature, reflecting the diverse taste of DWF’s loyal attendees.
See our “No Choice” review and interview:
Industry insiders also recognized standout shorts: Jacy Mair’s Trash Baby won the Industry Choice Award for films over 40 minutes, while Greg Rubner’s What the Heck is Going On. took the honor in the under-40-minute category.
Beyond the awards, DWF 2025 marked a historic leadership milestone. Festival founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent introduced Lindsey Smith-Sands as the first Festival Director in DWF’s nearly 30-year history. Smith-Sands, a longtime festival team member and beloved figure among filmmakers, pledged to honor the event’s legacy while continuing to champion the kinds of stories and creators that often go unseen.
In a heartfelt moment at the awards ceremony, the festival’s volunteers—many of whom have risen to key programming and management roles—received a standing ovation, underscoring DWF’s grassroots ethos. Tammy Sims and Bennie Woodell, two volunteers turned leadership figures, were honored with the DWF “Family” Award for their ongoing dedication.
Other audience favorites included Jake Myers’ quirky Kombucha (Midnight Award), Yale Fried’s Unraveled (Kidz Pro), and Josie Andrews’ Miriam (Narrative Short), among others.
See our “Unraveled” review and interview:
Film Review: Unraveled Finds Poignancy in a Preteen’s Panic – Hollywood Times
From its pre-fest concert at Ovation Hollywood to nine orange carpet events featuring over 1,000 filmmakers and guests, this year’s DWF brought a renewed vibrancy to the L.A. indie scene. Films such as Shattered Ice, Silent Prey, and You’re No Indian saw packed houses, affirming DWF’s continued ability to draw large, enthusiastic crowds.
In keeping with its mission, DWF once again proved that it’s more than a festival—it’s a movement. As Sharma put it: “This festival has given me the confidence to take creative risks and present my voice to a larger audience.”
As Dances With Films prepares for its fourth New York City edition in December 2025, the echoes of this year’s breakout talent, bold storytelling, and community spirit will continue to shape the future of independent cinema.
Notable attendees included Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ronny Chieng, Catharine Daddario, Matthew Daddario, Rosaline Elbay, Andrea Londo, Amy Madigan, Kika Magalhães, Alfred Molina, and Harry Shum Jr.
Dances With Films will next return for its 4th New York City edition in December 2025. For more information about Dances With Films, please go to: https://danceswithfilms.com/.
The 2025 Dances With Films NYC Filmmaker Award Winners:
GRAND JURY PRIZES
GRAND JURY – NARRATIVE FEATURES
NO CHOICE
Director/Writer: Nate Hilgartner
Producers: Shannon Semler, Nate Hilgartner, Steve Hilgartner, Kathleen O’Neil
HONORABLE MENTION:
SOMETHING CASUAL
Director/Writer: Brandon Buczek
Producers: Brandon Buczek, Anie Delgado, Gabrielle LeBlanc, Ben Rejzer
See our review and interview:
Film Review: “Something Casual” Swipes Right on the Intimacy Crisis of Modern Love – Hollywood Times
GRAND JURY – DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
NEVER GET BUSTED!
Director/Writer: David Anthony Ngo
Producers: Erin Williams-Weir, Daniel Joyce, David Anthony Ngo
HONORABLE MENTION:
YOU’RE NO INDIAN
Director/Writer: Ryan Flynn
Producer: Michael Sammaciccia, Santana Rabang
GRAND JURY PRIZE – NARRATIVE SHORTS
NWA (BLACK)
Director/Writer: Hans Augustave
Producers: Hans Augustave, Bruno Vernaschi, Raashauna Payne, Matthew Romanski
HONORABLE MENTION:
MOTI
Director/Writer: Yash Saraf
Producers: Karan Shah, Yash Saraf
INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS
INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS (UNDER 40′)
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON.
Director/Writer: Greg Rubner
Producer: James Panetta
INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARDS (OVER 40′)
TRASH BABY
Director/Writer: Jacy Mairs
Producers: Jacy Mairs, Karlee Boon and Cameron Holly Dexter
AUDIENCE AWARDS
COMPETITION (NARRATIVE) FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD
GOOD SPORT
Director: Andrew Jack Zuckerman
Writers: Andrew Jack Zuckerman and Dillon Orth
Producers: Dillon Orth, John Cronin and Andrew Jack Zuckerman
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD
A LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P. GIANNINI
Director: Davide Fiore
Writers: Joseph Mancini and Davide Fiore
Producers: Davide Fiore, Anna Laclergue, Sacha Smith, Joseph Mancini
MIDNIGHT AUDIENCE AWARD
KOMBUCHA
Director: Jake Myers
Writer: Geoff Bakken
Producer: John Condne
FUSION FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD
CIAO, MAMA
Director/Writer: Luca Perito
Producers: Johnny Wactor, Luca Perito, Micah Joe Parker, Viral Keshwala, Colin Flynn
DOWNBEAT AUDIENCE AWARD
LOSER
Director/Writer: Andie Arbo
Producers: Tina Carbone, Will Westwater
DANCES WITH KIDZ PRO AUDIENCE AWARD
UNRAVELED
Director/Writer: Yale Fried
Producers: Liv Boren, Chris Dooly, Isaak Popkin, Yale
PILOTS AUDIENCE AWARD
DEPARTMENT OF ONE
Director: John Redlinger
Writer: Arcadia Conrad
Producers: Charles Haid, Michael Laskin, Chris Spencer
See our review and interview:
Department of One — A Sharp, Stirring Portrait of a Drama Teacher on the Brink – Hollywood Times
COMPETITION (NARRATIVE) SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD
MIRIAM
Director: Josie Andrews
Writer: Levi Alexander
Producers: Brenda Goodman, Levi Alexander and Josie Andrews
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD
MORE THAN SANTA BABY
Director/Writer/Producer: Tamar Springer
See our review and interview:
A Daughter’s Love Letter to a Musical Legend Premieres at Dances With Films – Hollywood Times
FUSION SHORT AUDIENCE AWARD
MILDRED 4 A MILLION
Director/Writer: Kimmie P Callaway
Producers: Kimmie P Callaway, Jason Serrato, Kate Adair, Matt Wood
ABOUT DANCES WITH FILMS
Now in its 28th year, Dances With Films champions the unflinching spirit at the very core of the independent film scene. With most film festivals relying heavily on celebrity, DWF have relied on innovation, talent, creativity, and sweat equity that revolutionized the entertainment industry. And that reliance continues to prove successful with alumni moving on to write, direct, and produce celebrity-studded vehicles, star in blockbuster movies, and television series, produce multi-million-dollar film and create hot TV shows. As the lights dimmed and the buzz of excitement filled the historic TCL Chinese Theatres, the 2025 edition of Dances with Films (DWF) cemented its reputation as one of the most anticipated film festivals for independent filmmakers. Known for its dedication to showcasing fresh voices and boundary-pushing narratives, this year’s event proved once again that innovation, authenticity, and risk-taking are alive and well in the indie film world.
This year, DWF’s mission to spotlight debut filmmakers reached new heights. The festival served as the world premiere platform for numerous standout films, with first-time directors presenting stories that explored everything from complex family dynamics to futuristic dystopias.
