SXSW 2025 Awards Honor Outstanding Film and Television Contributions
The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals proudly announced the winners of the 2025 Jury and Special Awards, recognizing exceptional talent in the film and TV industry.
Major Winners in Feature Film Categories
Narrative Feature Competition
The Grand Jury Award for the Narrative Feature Competition was awarded to Slanted, directed by Amy Wang. The jury praised it as an “unflinching satirical thriller” that delves into themes of identity.
Special Jury Awards were granted to:
- Annapurna Sriram for Fucktoys, highlighting her dynamic roles as director, writer, and actress.
- Amanda Peet for her performance in Fantasy Life, noted for its insightful portrayal of challenges in the entertainment industry.
Documentary Feature Competition
In the Documentary Feature category, Shuffle, directed by Benjamin Flaherty, took home the Grand Jury Award. This film vividly exposes the exploitation within the addiction treatment industry.
Special Jury Awards were also conferred to:
- The Python Hunt, directed by Xander Robin.
- Remaining Native, directed by Paige Bethmann.
Recognition for Short Films and Music Videos
Short Film Competition
The winner of the Narrative Short Competition was One Day This Kid directed by Alexander Farah, which offers a poignant view of an Afghan Canadian’s life. A Special Jury Award went to I’m The Most Racist Person I Know by Leela Varghese, praised for its examination of beauty and identity through a lyrical lens.
Music Video Competition
The award for Best Music Video went to BIJI’s ZIGIDI, directed by Maceo Frost, which impressed with its vibrant Kurdish setting and narrative flair. The Special Jury Award was presented to Other Girls by Sarah Klang, directed by Rose Bush and Kirsten Bode.
Special Recognition Awards
SXSW also recognized exceptional contributions beyond films. The prestigious Redbreast Unhidden Award was awarded to Brief Somebodies, directed by Andy Reid, celebrating unique storytelling perspectives in short film. Additionally, the Vimeo Staff Pick Award went to Familiar by Marco Novoa, intertwining themes of queerness and found family.
Best of Texas Award
This year’s SXSW Best of Texas Award was bestowed upon Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt, directed by Tom Stern, which captures the bold essence of Texas’s musical landscape.
Championing New Voices
The Janet Pierson Champion Award recognized Lindsey Dryden for her advocacy and contributions to the representation of marginalized communities in film. The NEON Auteur Award went to Grace Glowicki for her original work in Dead Lover, reflecting a unique directorial vision.
Howl of Fame Award
The inaugural Howl of Fame Award was given to Indy from Good Boy, directed by Ben Leonberg, noting the captivating performance in the horror genre that illustrates a dog’s loyalty amidst unsettling circumstances.
Looking Ahead
All films featured in the 2025 festival will be in the running for Audience Awards, with voting concluding on March 15. Winners will be announced shortly thereafter, showcasing the breadth of creativity and storytelling within the film and television landscape.
“The energy at SXSW has been absolutely electric this week! Our theaters have been packed with passionate audiences embracing the incredible diversity of stories in our lineup,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP of Film & TV at SXSW. “I’m thrilled to celebrate our jury and special award winners — they truly represent what makes this festival so special!”
