Winners Announced at the 2025 San Diego International Film Festival
The San Diego International Film Festival closed its 2025 edition with a sold-out crowd and a celebration of powerful storytelling from around the world. At the center of the awards night was “Hamnet,” which won both the Best Gala Film (jury award) and the Audience Choice Gala Award, making it one of the most celebrated films of the festival.
Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel, “Hamnet” is a sweeping, emotionally raw historical drama brought to life by director Chloé Zhao. Featuring tour-de-force performances from Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William Shakespeare, the film captures the searing grief and enduring love that inspired one of literature’s greatest works. Hamnet has quickly become a major awards-season contender, cementing its place as one of the year’s most powerful and unforgettable films.
Eddie Vedder’s deeply moving documentary “Matter of Time” received the Artistic Director’s Award at the festival, honored for its heartfelt storytelling and emotional impact. Blending concert performances with an intimate look at the fight to cure a rare childhood disease, Vedder delivers a powerful portrait of hope, community, and the healing force of music.
2025 Jury Awards Highlights
- Best Gala: “Hamnet”
- Best Feature: “Aontas,” Ireland
- Artistic Director’s Award: “Matter of Time”
- Best Documentary: Standout: “The Ben Kjar Story”
- Best International Feature: “Hello Mother,” Mongolia
- Best Ensemble: “Fantasy Life”
- Best Comedy: “For Worse”
- Best Women Film Series: “The Fisherman,” Ghana
- Best Shorts Track: “Charmingly Short”
- Best Short Documentary: “The Opening Address”
- Best Short Narrative: Sally, “Get the Potatoes”
- Best International Short Film: “Kong Kong”
- Best Animation: “Forevergreen”
- Best Student Film: “Echoes of the Wild”
Audience Choice Awards
- Audience Choice Feature: “Obraz,” Montenegro. Submitted by Montenegro to represent the country for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026.
- Audience Choice Documentary: Standout: “Ben Kjar & A Quiet Love” — Echoing Jury Recognition, and A Quiet Love.
- Audience Choice Short: “Rise”
- Audience Choice Gala: “Hamnet” — Double winner of the night.
“We’re so proud to honor such a diverse and exciting group of filmmakers,” said Tonya Mantooth, CEO & Artistic Director, San Diego International Film Festival. “From powerhouse performances to emerging new voices, this year’s lineup reminded us of the power of cinema to move and unite us.”
To learn more about the festival and view the full list of films, visit sdfilmfest.com
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