Sarasota Film Festival 2025: Award Winners Announced at 27th Annual Celebration
The 27th Annual Sarasota Film Festival wrapped up in style on Sunday, April 2, 2025, marking another successful year filled with powerful films, inspiring discussions, and community-driven events.
This year’s closing night featured a heartfelt screening of LOVERS by Taylor McFadden, followed by a musical performance from Executive Producer and singer-songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff. The film tells the story of two women reconnecting with their hometown and community in the wake of a tragic loss, underscoring the healing power of music.
2025 Festival Honors and Major Awards
Special Honorees:
- Chris Brancato (Godfather of Harlem, Narcos): Innovation in Television Award
- Rome Flynn (Godfather of Harlem): Rising Star Award
- Harmony Korine: Trailblazer Award
Narrative Feature Jury Prize:
🎬 Mistura – Directed by Ricardo de Montreuil
A poignant, character-driven film about reinvention, anchored by Barbara Mori’s remarkable lead performance.
Special Jury Mention – Narrative Feature:
🎬 Color Book – Directed by David Fortune
A deeply touching story of a widowed father raising his son with Down Syndrome.
Documentary Feature Jury Prize:
🎬 The Librarians – Directed by Kim A. Snyder
A timely tribute to librarians as unsung heroes defending democracy and the freedom to read.
Special Jury Mention – Documentary Feature:
🎬 River of Grass – Directed by Sasha Wortzel
An eloquent portrait of environmental legacy and activism in the Florida Everglades.
Independent Visions Award:
🎬 The Book of Jobs – Directed by Kayci Lacob
Short Film Winners
- Best U.S. Narrative Short: My Guardian Angel – Directed by Nya Chambless
- Best Documentary Short: Tigers of the Sky – Directed by Ian Edward Meir
Audience Awards
- Best Narrative Feature (Audience): Being Maria – Directed by Jessica Palud
- Best Documentary Feature (Audience): The Light They Cast – Directed by Miles Larsen
Hollywood Nights Student Awards
Honoring emerging talent, this year’s winners include:
- Suitcase Sabotage – Hazel Cozby, Leah Sheehan, Brixton Chavez, & Emily Schappert
- The Allergic Shark – Jaxson Dean
- Prison Break – Kyan Correa & Cristian Lozano
- The Interlope – Synjin Englund
A Message from Festival Leadership
Mark Famiglio, President and Chairman of the Board, reflected on the festival’s continued mission:
“The Sarasota Film Festival exists to celebrate diverse voices and empower storytellers from every background. Film helps us connect, understand, and engage with the world — and this year’s selections prove how vital that is.”
About the Sarasota Film Festival
Held annually in Sarasota, Florida, the Sarasota Film Festival is one of the largest and most respected film festivals in North America, showcasing hundreds of films and drawing over 50,000 attendees each year. With a focus on community, diversity, and cinematic excellence, the festival continues to be a beacon for filmmakers and film lovers alike.
For more information, visit SarasotaFilmFestival.com