Kensuke’s Kingdom – Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry
Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry (United Kingdom), Kensuke’s Kingdom, Animated Feature Film – In Kensuke’s Kingdom, an evocative new animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s (War Horse) beloved novel, a family sailing trip becomes a gripping survival tale and a heart-warming message of hope, when young Michael is cast adrift and finds himself stranded on a remote island.
Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy, two-time Oscar-nominee Sally Hawkins, Oscar-nominee Ken Watanabe, Raffey Cassidy, and Aaron MacGregor breathe depth into each richly created character. Michael and his dog Stella struggle with survival on the deserted island until he discovers a reclusive Japanese man living in solitude since World War II. What starts as a tense standoff transforms into a profound friendship. As mysterious invaders disrupt their fragile peace, the two learn to trust each other and confront the delicate balance between nature and humanity. Directors Boyle and Hendry craft a visually stunning world with exquisite hand-drawn animation. Every scene is a work of art, reflecting the film’s emotional depth. Talented award-winning composer Stuart Hancock’s lush score enhances the storytelling, amplifying the film’s environmental and humanistic themes with sweeping, evocative melodies. Kensuke’s Kingdom isn’t just a story of survival; it’s a lyrical exploration of connection, healing, and the profound impact of human presence on the natural world with impeccable animation, sound design, and heartfelt performances.
Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey – Ruán Magan
Ruán Magan (United Kingdom), Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey, Doc Feature – Narrated by Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson, this captivating documentary spotlights extraordinary individuals who are harnessing the Earth’s natural resilience through ancient practices designed to restore balance to our planet.
Water connects all life, shaping our identity, culture, and spirituality. Yet, as floods, wildfires, droughts, and biodiversity loss intensify, our disconnection from water lies at the heart of the crisis. This documentary introduces visionaries reclaiming ancient wisdom to forge a modern understanding of water’s vital role in a sustainable future. Featuring individuals like Li An Phoa, who has walked 15,000 km of the world’s rivers; Kongjian Yu, creator of the revolutionary ‘Sponge City’ concept; Mark Nelson, a scientist who lived for two years in the experimental Biosphere II; and Vered Engelhard, rediscovering ancient water techniques in the Andes., the film highlights how reconnecting with water can restore the planet. Filmed across the globe, it celebrates water’s power to transform our world, offering hope and inspiration for a better future.
Pink Belt – John McCrite
John McCrite (USA), Pink Belt, Doc Feature – A stirring and socially impactful documentary about Aparna Rajawat, India’s sixteen-time national martial arts champion, and her mission to empower women in a society rife with violence and gender inequality. Raised in a traditional household where girls were treated as inferior, Aparna defied societal expectations, disguising herself as a boy to secretly take karate lessons and eventually founding the Pink Belt Mission to teach women self-defense, financial freedom and self-determination.
At the core of the film is Aparna’s effort to break the Guinness World Record for the largest women’s self-defense class, but it also exposes the harsh realities. Aparna’s own story of brutal violence and sexual violence is echoed by the women she trains—each victim’s harrowing account serves as a call to action, exposing the deep-rooted cultural acceptance of abuse and the urgent need for change. McCrite’s concise, engaging direction highlights Aparna’s resilience, packing this doc with inspiring moments of personal triumph while never shying away from the painful truths – making the documentary both an inspiring personal story and a call to action against systemic violence. It’s a deeply moving film that extends its impact far beyond the screen.
Bill Wisneski (USA), Almost Home: Life After Incarceration, Doc Feature – Emmy winner Wisneski delivers a powerful film exploring the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals and the transformative impact of education. Following students in a groundbreaking program at a SoCal community college, the film reveals how education heals trauma, opens doors, and uplifts families, offering hope and second chances.
Mike Hill (USA), Conquering Cervical Cancer, Doc Feature – Filmmaker Sue Collins embarks on a powerful journey to eliminate cervical cancer around the globe. This compelling doc contrasts U.S. efforts with Australia’s successful prevention programs and initiatives in lower-resourced countries. By highlighting solutions like HPV vaccination and screening, the film sparks a crucial global call to action against cervical cancer.
Richmond Weaver (USA), Better Together: Furman’s Championship Quest, Doc Series – This gripping doc series chronicles the Furman Paladins’ incredible rise from past heartbreak to a historic Conference title. With unprecedented access, it captures the emotional journey of a team that defied the odds, culminating in a thrilling NCAA Tournament upset and proving the power of resilience and determination.
Xiaojing Wang (China), Fresh Green on the Grave (Film Short/Asian) -Released from prison, Boss Zhang returns to a small restaurant meeting a woman mourning her granddaughter, whom he unknowingly killed years ago. After a poignant exchange, she poisons alcohol meant for Zhang. He unknowingly drinks it and dies in his car. The woman at her family grave, realizes her vengeance is complete. Ling Tao, Beiju Wei, Yang Sun.
Attila Gall (Hungary), ShitShow, Film Short – In a near-future where power dictates everything, mysterious hitman Jake is hired to exact revenge on his unfaithful wife. Tasked with sabotaging a live TV show featuring “smart metal” technology, Jake orchestrates an unexpected plan that blurs the lines between revenge and catastrophe. Stars Sam Pembroke, Ben Peleskey, Hans Peterson, Caroline Boulton.
Eric C. Yang (USA), Put To Sleep, Film Short (Student) – In a gripping tale, Dr. Anna Bloom, a passionate veterinarian, confronts her greatest challenge yet as a zealous new intern and an unexpected emergency surgery disrupt her usual routine. The story unfolds in a whirlwind of emotions, revealing the depth of her dedication and strength. Touching, thought-provoking, and deeply moving. Stars: Caitlyn Marr, Kylee Jacoby.
Ryan Konig (USA), A.L.E.C., Film Short – In the not-too-distant future, a reclusive writer becomes haunted by the strange behavior of her new synthetic companion. a sci-fi short film that poses a simple question: Does artificial intelligence know the difference between imitating a human and actually being one? Erin Ownbey (Ozark), Scott Daniel Johnson (Found), Nova Reyer.
Marco del Boca (Spain), Waves of Tomorrow, Nature/Environment/Wildlife –This Bluewave Alliance/Odicean film features stunning cinematography and a compelling narrative, exploring the Mediterranean—one of the most polluted and overfished seas. Through Protected Areas like Illes Medes, it reveals how conservation efforts are restoring biodiversity and underscores the urgent need for collective action to protect this vital ecosystem.
Alan Lacy, Endangered Species Coalition (USA), Welcome Home, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Alan Rexroth (Germany), #WAY_LamaTenzing, Documentary Short
Anna Mayo and John R. Seeley (USA), Devils, Original Song (Devils performed by D1C3 & Prophetnyc)
Antonio Rodríguez Cabal (Spain), End of Trip – Sahara, Cinematography
Attila Gall (Hungary), Shitshow, Art Direction, Cinematography
Glenna C. Burmer (USA), Bippy the Little Robot, Animation
Haoran Liu (China), Lost in the Strait, Asian Filmmaker, Asian Theme
Jack Teetor (USA), Blind Logic: The Ralph R. Teetor Story, Documentary Feature, Original Score
John McCrite (USA), Pink Belt, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Women Theme, Direction, Original Score
Lynn H. Elliott (USA), Look Into My Eyes, EPISODE 4: The Boy Who Earned His Magic, Script / Writer, Television – Program / Series
Maureen Castle Tusty (USA), She Rises Up, Documentary Feature, Women Filmmakers, Women Theme
Meng Xia (China), We Are Forever, Women Theme
Mike Hill (Australia), New School 2, Documentary Short, Native Peoples / Aboriginal Theme
Mike Hill (USA), Conquering Cervical Cancer, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Health / Medicine / Science
Nolan Williams, Jr., Willie Cordy, Jr., and Gabriel Genesis, NEWorks Productions (USA), Rise Up & Fight, African American Theme, Animation, Music Video, Original Song, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Richard Culver (Thailand), Spaced Cat, Animation, Direction
Richmond Weaver (USA), Better Together: Furman’s Championship Quest, Direction, Documentary Feature, Sports / Fitness
Ryan Konig (USA), A.L.E.C., Actress: Leading (Erin Ownbey as Terri Randle), Original Score (Jameson Michael Hegger)
Steve Brown (USA), The Age of the Empath, Script / Writer
Stuart Hancock (United Kingdom), Kensuke’s Kingdom, Original Score (Stuart Hancock), Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Tony Succar and Santiago Díaz (Peru), Mimy & Tony: The Creation of a Dream, Latin / Hispanic Theme
Vanessa Zamarripa (USA), Pretty Please, Asian Filmmaker, Direction, Music Video, Women Filmmakers
Xiaojing Wang (China), Fresh Green on the Grave, Direction, Women Filmmakers
YI Wei (China), The Sun Rises Again, Asian Filmmaker (Student)
Zhong Zhang (China), Chang’an Chang’an, Film Feature
