Ewa Galica – Bloody Trophy
Ewa Galica (Poland), Bloody Trophy, Doc Feature – Nature / Environment / Wildlife – A hard-hitting, unflinching investigation that peels back the layers of the illegal rhino horn trade, leading from Africa to Poland and exposing the shadowy reach of the Vietnamese mafia. Award-winning director Galica combines deft direction, meticulous research and beautiful cinematography to reveal a world both shocking and surreal. Disturbing footage of pseudo-hunts, illuminating interviews, and exclusive access to African rhinos capture the stakes of a species on the brink of extinction.
Polish hunters, holding the record for importing the highest number of rhino trophies from South Africa, sell their prized horns into a black market fueled by international crime. The film uncovers a chilling criminal network: a Laotian mafia boss, a Thai accomplice, Vietnamese traffickers, a Polish taxidermist, and even prostitutes are entwined in a trade that turns majestic animals into commodities. Yet amid this darkness, conservationists, veterinarians, and activists emerge as heroes, risking everything to preserve life where greed seeks to destroy it. For TVN Warner Bros. Discovery Poland
Adam N White – Photography
Adam N White (USA), Photography, Film Short – Emmy-winning White presents a captivating short film set in 1964 Manhattan, where Margaret, a renowned world-traveling photographer, is tasked with mentoring a younger photographer. Against the backdrop of a city pulsing with ambition and opportunity, Margaret confronts her own fears of career, age, and relevance while navigating a professional landscape shaped by subtle yet persistent misogyny and the pressures of an overbearing boss. Her mentee, talented and confident in her own abilities yet deferential to Margaret’s experience, brings both promise and perspective to their collaboration, highlighting the interplay between guidance, learning, and professional growth. With careful composition, beautiful cinematography, and insightful direction, White illuminates both the era and Margaret’s inner life, showing the weight of professional and personal challenges in sharp, compelling detail.
Compelling and nuanced performances are delivered by Suzanne Sacks (15 Minutes of Faye), Adaeze Dozie (Trouvaille), Gregory James (Shooting Stars), and James Madio (The Penguin). Hemlock Films.
William Vigil (USA), Gimme My Money!, Film Short – Emmy-nominees Marci Miller and James Hong bring this action short and its eccentric, chaotic characters to life as a tough, mysterious woman goes after a mob boss and his bumbling crew and this time crime is gonna pay. She cuts through unexpected obstacles in a high-octane kung-fu action-comedy that leaves a trail of bruised egos. Stars Robert Dunne, Raymond Barry.
Artur Molęda (Poland), Only Russia Beyond, Doc Short – Exceptional investigative reporting by renown Molęda and striking cinematography bring to life a Polish Navy intelligence vessel operating on the edge of Russian waters. Sailors intercept signals, track ships, and map electronic activity, revealing the deadly, high-stakes world of silent information warfare as Russia wages war on Ukraine and threatens the Alliance.
Sai Kelly ((Northern Ireland), Payload, Experimental – A gripping, character-driven sci-fi short exploring identity, sacrifice, and the ghosts we carry, where the lines between past and future, duty and humanity are perilously thin. Set within the belly of a bomber, it pulses with the mechanical heartbeat of war and the flicker of hope buried deep within. Emotionally compelling performance by Lucy McConnell (Game of Thrones).
Leya Hale (USA), Medicine Ball, Native Peoples / Aboriginal Filmmaker – Emmy-winner Hale weaves the personal lives of two Native American student-athletes with the haunting legacy of Indian boarding schools. Outlining the horrors of those institutions she shows how basketball, once a tool of assimilation, ultimately became a powerful arena for cultural resilience, healing, pride, and identity across generations. PBS original.
Karsten Pruehl (Germany), Runkel and the Digedags – The Rübensteins, Web Series – A trio of medieval characters navigate absurd mishaps and chaotic adventures in a comedic, sitcom-style world. Bursting with lively animation, clever gags, and playful twists, the episode blends historical settings with modern sensibilities, bringing beloved comic characters vividly to life with humor, energy, and heart.
Amanda Barakat and Sam Chou (Canada), What Could Have Been, Animation – Powerfully reflects on the futures stolen by war. When a mother gives birth in a hospital under siege, she dares to imagine the life her daughter might have—shaped by love, learning, and joy. The film centers on human connection, exploring how conflict shapes identity, love, and family with nuanced, emotional direction.
Hamdi Khalil Elhusseini, Samar Taher Lulu (Palestine), Adas Falasteen, Doc Short – Amid the horrors of war in Gaza, a chef creates a large-scale community kitchen, feeding tens of thousands and sustaining hope. Amidst the horrors of the attacks and destruction, his extraordinary effort becomes a lifeline, a testament to resilience, courage, and the enduring power of humanity amid devastation.
Will Appleyard and Núria Paré Soldevila (Spain), Voices of Pura Vida, Doc Short – Through local communities, conservationists and adventurers, it reveals the vital work of protecting Costa Rica’s fragile ecosystems, showing how humans sustain life, nurture biodiversity and carry the responsibility of stewardship. Gorgeous cinematography and important conservation message. As lyrical as it is educational. From The Amphibious Collective.
Orlando Mendes (USA), The Sound of Blue, Animation – A vibrant, whimsical corner of Monster Island bursts to life with charm, mischief and unexpected thrills as three memorably adorable companions navigate a world alive with humor, suspense and heart. Playful animation, inventive landscapes with lively charming heroes and colorful villains, make every moment engaging and full of fun.
Dax Phelan (USA), Kirkwood, Movie Trailer – Phelan’s trailer builds a tense, gripping atmosphere, hinting at a violent murder and steadily mounting suspense. Sharp visuals and immersive sound design heighten every moment, while pacing keeps viewers on edge, offering a teaser that is both stylish and taut, leaving an intense impression of the story to come.
Adam N White (USA), Photography, Direction, Cinematography, Script / Writer
Addison H. Steen (USA), Echo, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Amanda Barakat and Sam Chou (Canada), What Could Have Been, Original Score (CJK LAND STUDIO – Charles Korkomaz)
Bill Stephens (USA), Hidden History Unlocked presents UTICA, Television – Pilot Program
Chenyi Jiang and Yi Wei (China), When the Scales Tip, Experimental (Student)
Christiane Arbesu (USA), How We See, Documentary Short
Christina Chow (USA), Heart Attack: The Silent Killer, Health / Medicine / Science, Asian Theme, Television – Program / Series, Asian Filmmaker, Educational / Instructional / Training, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Christina Chow (USA), Stroke: Racing Against Time, Health / Medicine / Science, Asian Theme, Asian Filmmaker, Television – Program / Series, Television – Pilot Program
Cioffi Florian (France), Kurwa, Film Short
Dana Dunton (USA), The Bridge Less Traveled, Actress: Leading (Dana Dunton as Sharon), Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
David DiGangi and Bartram Nason (USA), Civic Matters Stories, Web Series
Dax Phelan (USA), KIRKWOOD, Editing (Chris Chan Lee), Direction
Field to Healed Foundation and Stoke Creative Agency (USA), Dr. Hanna Wants To Try, Filmmaker with Disability, Documentary Short, Women Filmmakers
Gyumin Kim (South Korea), RED DOT, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Use of Film / Video for Social Change, AI Film
Hamdi Khalil Elhusseini and Samar Taher Lulu (Palestine), Adas Falasteen, Doc Short / Islamic filmmaker
Hannah Rosenzweig and Robin Honan (USA), Lifelines, Documentary Short
Ilya Tilkin (Israel), As Long As There’s Time, Jewish Filmmaker, Script / Writer
Jp Rende and Kat Raio Rende (USA), Aidee, Public Service Programming / PSA
Juan Alberto Morillas (Ireland), Can Lis – Utzon’s Hidden Masterpiece, Documentary Short, Direction
Leya Hale (USA), Medicine Ball, Native Peoples / Aboriginal Filmmaker
Lynn H. Elliott (USA), My Greatest Enemy–Myself! Episode 3, THE BOY WHO EARNED HIS MAGIC, Script / Writer
Marcin Zaborski (Poland), Robbed of Childhood, Documentary Short
Mark Starr and Arlo Carter (United Kingdom), Scarlet, Film Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Mengdi Luo (China), Missing You, Asian Theme
Nathalie Lippens (Belgium), Roller, Children / Family Programming, Disability Issues
Remington Hoffman and Ida Hoffman (USA), Christmas Angels, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Script / Writer, Women Theme
Richard Culver (USA), Angela’s Dream, Animation
Rodney Roldan (USA), Giving Back to Broome County, Public Service Programming / PSA
Sai Kelly ((Northern Ireland), Payload, Original Score, Cinematography, Editing
Shaun Peter Cunningham (USA), A Boy Called Josh, Documentary Short
Steven Mitchell (USA), Dark Berry, Actor: Leading (BJ Wasserman as Bill), Experimental, Script / Writer, Creativity / Originality
The Lion Entertainment Partners + The Marcs Studios (USA), NINETY ONE, Documentary Short
Tiyam Yabandeh (Iran), Silver Cord, Experimental
Tom Brown (USA), The Alpaca Connection, Film Short, Direction
Tommy Snider (USA), Rumination, Actor: Leading (Jeff Vincent as Al), Script / Writer
Vincenzo Bafaro (Italy), SYNTHETIC ERA, Experimental, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Will Appleyard and Núria Paré Soldevila (Spain), Voices Of Pura Vida, Narration / Voice-Over Talent (non-acting) (Rick Armstrong)
Yanin Tangkaravakoon (USA), Homes for Hornbills, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student), Use of Film / Video for Social Change (Student), Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
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